Association of Polymorphisms in the Bovine Leptin Gene with Ultrasound Measurements for Improving in Korean Cattle

H S Kong,J D Oh,H C Kim,S G Lee,B H Yoo,Y S Hong,S J Lee,G J Jeon,W I Song,H K Lee

doi:10.5713/ajas.2006.1691

Abstract

The identification method that inflects real time ultrasound (RUT) and the potential application of marker assisted selection (MAS) for improvement of a cow population of Hanwoo (Korean Native cattle) was studied. The averages of RUT longissimus muscle area, RUT fat thickness, and RUT marbling score scanned at the 13th rib were 55.78 cm 2 , 3.70 mm and 3.83 scores, respectively. We investigated the effccts of the two SNPs (Kpn2 1 and Msp 1) in the leptin gene on carcass traits for Hanwoo cows by using ultrasound measurements. Genotype CC of the Kpn2 I had a significantly higher effect on back fat thickness (4.23 mm) and longissimus muscle area (57.57 cm 2 ) than genotype TT (3.14 mm, 53.93 cm 2 , respectively, p<0.05). Genotype AA of the Msp I had a significantly higher effect only on marbling score (5.37) than genotype AB (3.57, p<0.05) and BB (3.37, p<0.05). Significant effects of SNPs in the leptin gene were found for the ultrasound measures of body composition in live cattle.

Highlights

Genetic improvement of the domestic animals based on phenotypic information needs quite time demanding and is slower than expected
Systemic or central administration of leptin reduces feed intake in rodents, chickens, pigs, and sheep (Halaas et al, 1995; Barb et al, 1998; Raver et al, 1998; Henry et al, 1999) and while data from livestock species remains sparse, leptin appears to be an important component of a feedback loop involving key metabolic regulators including insulin, glucocorticoids and the sympathetic nervous system (Houseknecht et al, 1998)
Since the bovine leptin gene has been identified on chromosome 4, several SNPs have been previously identified in introns and exons of leptin among different breeds of cattle

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Genetic improvement of the domestic animals based on phenotypic information needs quite time demanding and is slower than expected. Polymorphisms in the bovine leptin gene have been described (Pomp et al, 1997; Fitzsimmons et al, 1998; Haegeman et al, 2000; Yoon et al, 2005) and an association with fat deposition in beef cattle was reported (Fitzsimmons et al, 1998). These genetic informations for fatty-phenotypic traits are valuable in breeding for high quality meat through marker assisted selection (MAS). RTU and MAS for improvement of a caw population (Hanwoo)

MATERIALS AND METHODS

AND DISCUSSION