Breed Discrimination Using DNA Markers Derived from AFLP in Japanese Beef Cattle

S Sasazaki,K Yoshizawa,H Mannen,H Mutoh,T Imada

doi:10.5713/ajas.2006.1106

Abstract

In the meat industry, correct breed information in food labeling is required to assure meat quality. Genetic markers provide corroborating evidence to identify breed. This paper describes the development of DNA markers to discriminate between Japanese Black and Fl (Japanese BlackxHolstein) breeds. The amplified fragment length polymorphism method was employed to detect candidate markers absent in Japanese Black but present in Holstein. The 1,754 primer combinations yielded eleven markers that were converted into single nucleotide polymorphism markers for high-throughput genotyping. The allele frequencies in both breeds were investigated for discrimination ability using PCR-RFLP. The probability of identifying Fl was 0.9168 and probability of misjudgment was 0.0066 using four selected markers. The markers could be useful for discriminating between Japanese Black and Fl and would contribute to the prevention of falsified breed labeling of meat.

Highlights

Japanese Black cattle are the main source of beef, representing more than 90% of beef cattle in Japan
Detection of breed specific AFLP bands The aim of this study was to detect specific markers that can discriminate between Japanese Black and F1
Holstein-specific markers were required since F1 has 50% of nuclear genetic material from Holstein

Summary

Introduction

Japanese Black cattle are the main source of beef, representing more than 90% of beef cattle in Japan. They are famous for the superiority of the meat, especially in marbling and carcass yield. Most of the dairy cattle are Holstein, which are renowned as dairy cows for their excellent milk output capability throughout the world. Male Holstein has been used as source of domestic beef in Japan, because they don’t produce milk. The meat quality is inferior to that of Japanese Black, it has been popular due to its lower price. As a result, Japanbased beef producers started to create a first filial hybrid (F1), which is a cross of Japanese Black bulls with Holstein cows.

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Results