Black Breed Research Articles

Modeling the relationship between scanned rump and 12th-rib fat in young temperate and tropical bovines: Model development and evaluation1,2

A decision support tool for predicting subcutaneous fat depths called BeefSpecs, based on the Davis growth model (DGM), has been developed by the Cooperative Research Centre for Beef Genetic Technologies. Currently, the DGM predicts 12th-rib fat thickness (RFT, mm). To allow predictions of fat thickness at the P8 rump (P8FT, mm) site, the standard carcass fat measurement in the Australian beef industry, a relationship was developed between ultrasound RFT and P8FT in steers and heifers from temperate (Angus, Hereford, Shorthorn, and Murray Grey) and tropical (Brahman, Belmont Red, and Santa Gertrudis) breed types. Model development involved fitting various combinations of sex, breed type (BrT), BW, age, and RFT to produce 6 models. The models were challenged with data from 3 independent data sets: 1) Angus steers from 2.4 generations of divergent selection for and against residual feed intake; 2) 2 tropically adapted genotypes [Brahman and tropically adapted composites (combinations of Belmont Red, Charbray, Santa Gertrudis, Senepol, and Brahman breeds)]; and 3) a study using sires from Charolais, Limousin, Belgian Blue, and Black and Red Wagyu breeds and 3 genetic lines of Angus to create divergence in progeny in terms of genetic potential for intramuscular fat percent and retail beef yield. When challenged with data from Angus cattle, the mean biases (MB, mm) for models A to F were -1.23, -0.56, -0.56, -0.02, 0.14, and 0.04, and the root mean square errors of predictions (mm) were 1.53, 0.97, 0.97, 0.92, 0.93, and 0.91, respectively. When challenged with data from Brahman cattle, MB were 0.04, -0.22, -0.14, 0.05, -0.11, and 0.02 and root mean square errors of predictions were 1.30, 1.29, 1.27, 1.23, 1.37, and 1.29, respectively. Generally, model accuracy indicated by MB tended to be less for model E, which contained age rather than BW as a covariate. Models B and C were generally robust when challenged with data from Angus, Brahman, and Tropical Composite cattle as well as crossbred cattle with temperate sires. Model D, which did not contain age, performed the most consistently and was selected for inclusion in the DGM: P8FT, mm = -3.6 (+/-0.14) + 1.3 (+/-0.13) x sex + 0.11 (+/-0.13) x BrT + 0.014 (+/-4.8E(-4)) x BW + 0.96 (+/-0.01) x RFT - 0.73 (+/-0.08) x sex x BrT - 3.8E(-3) (+/-4.2E(-4)) x sex x BW - 0.09 (+/-0.01) x sex x RFT + 1.3E(-3) (+/-3.7E(-4)) x BrT x BW + 0.24 (+/-0.01) x BrT x RFT (adjusted R(2) = 0.86; SE = 0.013). Model D has been implemented in BeefSpecs to predict P8FT.

The T allele at the g.1471620G>T in the EDG1 gene associated with high marbling in Japanese Black cattle is at a low frequency in breeds not selected for marbling

Our previous study detected a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), g.1471620G>T, in the 5' flanking region of the endothelial differentiation sphingolipid G-protein-coupled receptor 1 (EDG1) gene, which has been considered as a positional functional candidate for the gene responsible for marbling, and showed association of the g.1471620G>T SNP with marbling in Japanese Black beef cattle. In the present study, we investigated the allele frequency distribution of the g.1471620G>T SNP among the 5 cattle breeds, Japanese Black, Japanese Brown, Japanese Short Horn, Holstein, and Brown Swiss breeds. The T allele at the g.1471620G>T SNP associated with high marbling was found at high frequency in Japanese Black breed that has been subjected to a strong selection for high marbling, while the allele was absent or at very low frequencies in the other breeds that have not been strongly selected for high marbling. Based on this finding, we hypothesized that the pressure of the strong selection for high marbling in Japanese Black breed has increased the frequency of the T allele at the g.1471620G>T SNP in the EDG1.

Evaluation of Temporal Development of the Acrosome Reaction In Vitro in Spanish Black Berrendo Breed Bulls by Epifluorescence Methods.

Black Berrendo cattle breed belongs to the Andalusian heritage bovine livestock and it is a endangered one, protected by the EU programs of cattle conservation. There are only seminal frozen doses from 10 bulls of this breed. It is important to know their ability to be capacitated in vitro for later use in IVF as a technique for recovery of their populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the evolution of the acrosome reaction in vitro through the time in a defined culture medium by epifluorescence microscopy methods in seminal frozen samples of Spanish Black Berrendo bulls. Samples (0.25 ml.) of frozen semen from 5 Berrendo Black breed bulls were thawed and incubated with Sp-TALP culture medium enriched with 100 μgr/ml of sodium heparin as capacitating agent. Aliquots of 100 μl were taken at 0, 60 and 120 minutes. These were stained with Propidium Iodide and FITC-PNA following a modified protocol in our lab and extended on slides. Slides were mounted and observed in a fluorescence microscope with excitation filter BP 450-490 nm and a emission filter of BP 515-560nm. Acrosome reaction was positive in those sperm cells in which a green color in the acrosomal region and a faint red coloration in the rest of the head were found and negative one in those in which only the faint red coloration appeared. The capacitating percentage was evaluated on individual bulls in different times of capacitating analyzing 200 cells three times. The results showed some significant differences at 0.05% for different times. After 60 minutes of incubation the capacitating percentage is the adequate to use for IVF. The values obtained in this Andalusian bovine breed were consistent with previous studies in other breeds. In the study 50% of frozen sperm samples of this breed were suitable to use for IVF. This technique proves to be quick and effective way to evaluate bovine semen capacitated in vitro.

Molecular cloning and expression analysis of bovine programmed death-1

Recent work has shown that PD-1, an immune inhibitory receptor, is involved in mechanisms for down-regulating immune responses during tumor progression or chronic viral infection. However, in the case of bovine diseases, there have been no reports on this molecule due to lack of information about bovine PD-1. In this study, we performed identification and preliminary characterization of the bovine PD-1 gene in two breeds of cattle. We cloned full cDNA sequences encoding for PD-1 from both Holstein-Friesian and Japanese Black breeds, and found that both of the genes encoded a 282-amino acid protein, which had a signal sequence, transmembrane domain and an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif. This bovine PD-1 showed 72.9% and 65.6% homology to human and mouse PD-1, respectively, both of which have been well characterized and documented. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that bovine PD-1 is expressed predominantly in T-cells (such as CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells) and among PBMCs, and is strongly upregulated on T-cell stimulation via ConA. A limited number of cattle were tested yet, as expected, the degree of PD-1 mRNA expression in CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cells was greater in cattle with bovine leukemia virus-induced lymphoma than in uninfected cattle. Further studies to characterize the functions of bovine PD-1 are therefore warranted, in order to elucidate the mechanism of the immunosuppression associated with progression of several diseases and therapy in cattle.

Xanthine Nephrolithiasis in a Galician Blond Beef Calf

A six-month-old female Galician Blond beef calf presented signs of apathy, anorexia and weight loss. The analysis of a blood sample confirmed renal failure. Bilateral nephrolithiasis was diagnosed at necropsy. Quantitative analysis revealed the nephroliths to be composed of 100 per cent xanthine. In cattle, xanthinuria has only been described in the Japanese Black breed, but never before in other breeds. Clinical history suggested a naturally occurring xanthinuria.

Genetic Variability of mtDNA D-loop Region in Korean Native Chickens

In order to determine the origin and genetic diversity among chicken breeds, mitochondrial (mt) DNA D-loop sequences have been widely used. In this study, 41 individuals from four breeds (Korean native chicken (Black and Brown) and two imported breeds, Rhode Island Red and Cornish) were used for identifying genetic relationships with other chicken breeds. We obtained ten haplotypes and the highest number of haplotype was represented by eight individuals each from haplotype 1 and haplotype 2. Neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree indicates that the black and brown Korean native chicken breeds were mixed in haplotype 2 and they were closely related with the red jungle fowl (Gallus gallus). We also investigated whether the D-loop hypervariable region in chicken mtDNA can be used for the breed identification marker. The results indicated that the combination of the SNPs in the D-loop region can be possibly used for the breed discriminating markers. The results obtained in this study can be used for designing proper breeding and conservation strategies for Korean native chicken, as well as development of breed identification markers.

Prion protein (PrP) gene polymorphism in Red Maasai and Black Head Persian sheep breeds in Tanzania: Consistent profile regardless of locations

The status of scrapie in Africa is largely unknown. The susceptibility to scrapie and its pathology is determined by amino acid polymorphisms at positions 136 (A/V), 154 (R/H) and 171 (Q/R/H) of the ovine PrP gene (PrP genotype) of the animals. Despite the widely studied PrP gene polymorphisms worldwide, limited data is available on PrP genotypes of sheep from the African continent. Previously, we have reported six PrP genotypes derived from four different alleles in Red Maasai and Black Herd Persian (BHP), the ARQ/ARQ genotype being more frequent in the Red Maasai than in the BHP sheep. The highly susceptible VRQ allele was not found in any of the sheep breeds; the ARR allele was absent in the Red Maasai or occurred at a low frequency in the BHP. The lack of the highly susceptible VRQ alleles among Tanzanian sheep examined, necessitated further examinations on genetic susceptibility in sheep of the same breeds, but originating from an entirely different part of Tanzania. Consistently, ARQ/ARQ genotype was observed in 88% of Red Maasai and 64% of BHP sheep, ARQ/AHQ genotype was present in 12% in Red Maasai and 36% in BHP. Neither the highly resistant (ARR/ARR), nor the highly susceptible (VRQ/VRQ) genotypes were found. The ARQ and AHQ were the only alleles observed. The ARQ allele constituted 94%, 82% and 67% in the Red Maasai, BHP and cross-bred sheep, respectively. The AHQ constituted 6%, 18% and 33%, respectively. Data reported here, provide additional information on genetic susceptibility of the Red Maasai, BHP and their crosses; they may be helpful in policy formulation for future prevention of scrapie.

INVESTIGATION REGARDING PRODUCTION AND REPRODUCTION PERFORMANCES AT COWS OF BLACK SPOTTED BREED OF MOLDAVIAN TYPE WITHIN MAXIMOVCA ELEVATOR OF REPUBLIC OF MODLVOA

The reproductive performance depending on milk productivity level at cows of Black Sportted breed of Moldavian type within the elevator of the experimental farm of the National Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine was studded. Cows’ population exploited in the conditions of the elevator of the scientific - Experimental Farm of the Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine is characterized by high indices of milk productivity. Thus, the average cows milking during 3005 days of first lactation was 6784,2 kg of milk which fatness was 3,99%, and by the lactation on average per one cow 270,7 kg of milking fat was received. By comparing the received data with the purpose – standard we can see that this group of animals exceed the refuirements of the purpose / standard by the quantity of abstained milk with 69,6%. By the content of fat in milk the average indices of investigated animals are higher than the purpose - standard by 87,96. The reproductive performance of high reproductive cows is problematic and depedens both on productivity level and on the period of first insemination and represent on average 0,86 per farm.

Effects of Breed and Storage Duration on the Beta-Carotene Content of Egg Yolk

Effects of breed (Harco, White Leghorn and Local breeds) and storage durations (point of lay, 1week, 2-week and 3-week) on the beta (s)-carotene contents of egg yolk were studied using one hundred and twenty eggs for each breed. The s-carotene contents of the egg yolks were determined using spectrophotometer and data obtained were analyzed using ANOVA and differences between means were separated using DNMRT. The mean concentration in mg/g of s-carotene obtained for each breed and at different storage durations were: 0.08 (Harco), 0.06 (White Leghorn) and 0.06 (local breed) at point of lay; 0.031 (Harco), 0.047 (White Leghorn) and 0.54 (Local breed) for 1-week old eggs; 0.014 (Harco), 0.027 (White Leghorn) and 0.039 (Local breed) at two weeks and 0.000 ( Harco), 0.004 (White Leghorn) and 0.024 (Local breed) at three weeks of age. Generally, the results revealed that eggs from Harco breed had the highest and most unstable concentration of s-carotenes, while the eggs from the local breed had the greatest propensity to retain s-carotene. Consequently, eggs are best consumed at the point of lay or as soon as possible especially eggs from Harco breed if the s-carotene content is desired. Furthermore, eggs from local chickens may be stored for a longer period without remarkable decrease in s-carotene content of the egg yolk. The study further recommends to researchers and poultry breeders who are interested in improving the beta-carotene content as well as the storage duration of eggs to consider seriously crossing of black harco breed with local breed.

New blood group factors Es, Et and a new allele Ebdgjmt (E16) in the pig E blood group system

By immunizing a miniature sow a monovalent reagent (later designated anti-Es) was prepared, detecting an alternative antigen to the Ej. Blood group factors Ej and Es thus form the fifth genetically closed E subsystem. Analyses of selected raw sera containing anti-Ej led to the determination of a further Ej subgroup (designated Et) which is antithetical, mutually excluding with the blood factor Er. New blood factor Et is inherited by alleles Edeghjmnt (= E9) and (= E16). The investigation in pig breeds kept in CSFR indicated that allele Edeghjmnt occurs in Black and White Prestice breed (qE9 = 0.076 +/- 0.010) while allele Edeghjmnr (= E14) only in miniature pigs (qE9 = 0.147 +/- 0.011) and in wild pigs. In an élite herd of Swedish Landrace kept in CSFR a new complex allele Ebdgjmt (= E16) was found. Its frequency in the population studied was 0.058 +/- 0.022.

A simple DNA based method for determination of pure Black Slavonian pigs

The aim of this work was to determine the MC1R genotype of Black Slavonian pigs and to find an efficient and simple PCR-RFLP method, based on differences in MC1R genotype, to distinguish between purebred Black Slavonian pigs and their crossings with commercial pig breeds and Wild Boars. Sequencing of the MC1R exon was performed to determine the genotype of MC1R in Black Slavonian pig breed, which was shown to be MC1R*2. Digestion reactions of both PCR products representing the majority of MC1R exon revealed presence of the BspHI restriction site at position 121 and absence of the AccII and CrfI restriction site at position 240, which is characteristic for the MC1R*2 genotype. A simple PCR-RFLP method, based on different coat colour MC1R gene genotypes was determined by which it is possible to detect potential crossings of autochthonous Black Slavonian pig with commercial pig breeds and also with Wild Boars.

RESEARCHES CONCERNING THE IMPACT OF SOME ANTIOXIDANTS OVER REPRODUCTION INDICES IN COWS

The researches made on cows of Spotted with Moldavian black type breed have followed the establishment of antioxidants efficiency from “Benzamidazol” group over the reproduction function to cows with high production. It has been established the optimal dose for administrating the “Biofat” solution, as well as the interval between administrations. The optimal dose for administrating the “Biofat” solution was of 0,20 – 0,25 mg/100 kg body weight. The administration of the solution gave the possibility for ameliorating the reproduction indexes to cows, changing as well the level of steroidal hormones and of peroxidase sanguine lipids

Dynamics of live weight and milk productivity of zebu and hybrids with Black Pied and Latvian Brown cattle breeds

Hybridization of Latvian Brown and Black Pied cows with Azerbaijan zebus made it possible to obtain highly productive hybrid animals. These breeds under the extreme conditions of Azerbaijan significantly surpassed purebred contemporaries in live weight, milk productivity, and milk fat percentage.

Genotyping of the prion protein (PrP) gene in Red Maasai and Black Head Persian sheep in Tanzania

Susceptibility to scrapie in sheep is largely influenced by four polymorphic amino acid positions of the ovine PrP gene at codons 136, 141, 154 and 171. Genotyping of corresponding DNA polymorphism can be used as a basis for selection decisions. A total of 100 Red Maasai and 79 Black Herd Persian sheep, representative of the widely distributed breeds in Tanzania, were genotyped by real-time PCR. Genomic DNA was extracted from buccal epithelial cells. We report six genotypes derived from four different alleles, with the ARQ/ARQ genotype being more frequent ( p = 0.0081) in the Red Maasai than in the Black Head Persian sheep. Our study also demonstrated higher allelic frequency ( p = 0.00055) of the ARQ in the Red Maasai than in Black Head Persian sheep, while the AHQ allelic frequency was higher ( p = 0.00086) in the Black Head Persian. All the animals were homozygous LL 141. The highly susceptible VRQ allele was not found in any of the sheep breeds examined in this study. Both breeds were genetically low-level resistant to scrapie (NSP3). Due to absence or very low frequency of the ARR allele in the two breeds, selection for genetic resistance to scrapie through an increase of the ARR allele does not seem very relevant. If new breeds of sheep are to be introduced for crossbreeding in Tanzania, care should be taken to avoid import of the VRQ allele. To our knowledge, this is the first study exploring the PrP genotypes in sub-Saharan African sheep and in the Red Maasai and Black Head Persian sheep breeds in particular. The data provide base-line information on genetic susceptibility of the two sheep breeds to scrapie, which may be useful in policy formulation for prevention and future research on prion diseases.

Distribution and origin of bovine major histocompatibility complex class II DQA1 genes in Japan

We sequenced the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II DQA1 gene in 352 Japanese cattle (95 Japanese Black, 91 Holstein, 102 Japanese Shorthorn and 64 Jersey cattle) using a new sequence-based typing method. In total, 19 bovine MHC (BoLA)-DQA1 alleles, of which two were novel alleles, were detected. The Holstein, Jersey, Japanese Shorthorn and Japanese Black breeds had 13, 12, 10 and 15 alleles, respectively. The dendrogram that was constructed by the neighbor-joining method on the basis of the DQA1 gene allele frequencies of the four Japanese cattle breeds showed that the Holstein and Japanese Black breeds were closest to each other, with Jersey being farther from these two breeds than Japanese Shorthorn. In addition, Wu-Kabat analysis showed that the DQA1 alleles of the Holstein and Japanese Black were the most and least polymorphic, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that the DQA1 gene of Bovidae such as cattle, sheep, bison and goat were more similar to pig SLA-DQA genes than to human HLA-DQA1 and dog DLA-DQA genes. The cattle, goat, bison, sheep, human and pig DQA1 molecules had similar rates of amino acid sequence polymorphism, but the distribution of their polymorphic residues differed from that in the dog DQA1 protein. However, the Bovidae DQA1 molecule had more polymorphic residues than the human, pig and dog DQA molecules at two regions, namely positions 52-53 and 65-66. This indicates that the Bovidae DQA1 locus is more polymorphic than the DQA loci of other species.

Effect of Bad Collocation of Wing Tag on Feather Amelanosis, Heterophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, Fluctuating Asymmetry, and Tonic Immobility Duration in White-Faced Black Spanish Hens

The purpose of the present study was to analyze the effects of bad collocation of the wing tag on feather amelanosis, the heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, fluctuating asymmetry, and tonic immobility duration at 140 d of age in hens from the White-Faced Black Spanish breed. A total of 52 females were used. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) for the heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and the tonic immobility duration between groups of females with bad or good collocation of the wing tag, with the ratio being higher and the duration being longer in the former group. Females with bad collocation of the wing tag had significant heterophilia and lymphopenia (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the fluctuating asymmetry of the middle and hind toe lengths, the combined asymmetry of the 4 toes, the fluctuating asymmetry of the earlobe area, and the combined asymmetry of toe and leg lengths and earlobe and wattle areas, with the asymmetry of birds with bad collocation of the wing tag being larger than that of birds with good collocation of the wing tag. Results indicate that bad collocation of the wing tag negatively affects measures of stress, such as the heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, fluctuating asymmetry, and tonic immobility duration.

Interspecific diversity of combining ability of somatic mutations in animals

The frequency of combining ability of types of mutations in blood lymphocytes of Black Pied cattle breed and Early-Maturing Meat pig breed is analyzed. Significant differences are established between species in a number of indices. It is suggested to take into account combinations of various types of mutations for a comprehensive assessment of cytogenetic homeostasis of organisms.

Coat-colour dilution and hypotrichosis in Hereford crossbred calves

AIM: To investigate cases of coat-colour dilution and hypotrichosis in a group of Hereford x Friesian crossbred calves, and to define the underlying molecular genetics of the disorder. METHODS: The investigation was predicated on the hypothesis that this disorder was similar to a known dominantly inherited disorder of calves of black breeds crossed with Simmental cattle, for which there were candidate gene mutations. Sequence analyses of PCR amplicons from exon 1 and exon 11 of the premelanosome protein 17 gene (PMel17) were carried out. Restriction enzyme digestions of amplicons were followed using electrophoresis of digested fragments. RESULTS: It was shown that an affected calf and its Hereford sire were heterozygous for a three-base deletion in exon 1 of the PMel17 gene. These two animals were also heterozygous for a second mutation in exon 11 of the PMel17 gene. Four other related animals were likewise heterozygous for both mutations in the sire's herd of origin. CONCLUSIONS: Coat-colour dilution and hypotrichosis in Hereford crossbred calves in New Zealand is the same genetic disorder as that previously described in Simmental crossbred calves, and is linked to mutations in the PMel17 gene.

Mapping QTL for fatty acid composition that segregates between the Japanese Black and Limousin cattle breeds

The objective of this study was to search for quantitative trait loci (QTL) that segregate between Japanese Black and Limousin cattle breeds and affect relative amounts of saturated (SFA), mono-unsaturated (MUFA) and poly-unsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids. Six F1 Japanese Black-Limousin cross bulls were joined with 121 F1 females over a three-year period to produce 328 F2 progeny. Calves, aged from 450 to 641 d (average 561 d), were harvested using standard industry procedures. After aging, 2.54 cm thick steaks were cut from the posterior end of the wholesale rib, frozen at –20 °C, and held for determination of fatty acid composition. Percentages of the individual fatty acids were classified into percentages of SFA, MUFA and PUFA. Two hundred seventeen microsatellite markers covering the 29 bovine autosomes were assayed and QTL were identified by least squares regression. Genome-wise significant QTL with additive effects on SFA (-0.61 ± 0.19%), MUFA (0.93 ± 0.19%) and PUFA (-0.52 ± 0.11%) were observed near the centromere of BTA2. Also observed were five QTL indicative of dominance effects on: MUFA (BTA9, 119 cM, -1.87 ± 0.72%; BTA22, 47 cM, 1.85 ± 0.60%) and PUFA (BTA9, 54 cM, -1.49 ± 0.42%; BTA10, 38 cM, 1.20 ± 0.35%; and BTA15, 14 cM, 1.11 ± 0.36%). Based on these results, we conclude that it may be possible to improve the healthfulness of beef by manipulating fatty acid composition using genetic markers and appropriate crossbreeding systems. Keywords : Beef, fatty acids, Japanese Black, Limousin, quantitative trait loci, Wagyu South African Journal of Animal Science Vol. 38 (2) 2008: pp. 126-130

Stearoyl CoA desaturase gene polymorphism in Italian cattle breeds

Stearoyl COA desaturase (SCD) is a rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids. In cattle, a number of studies support the hypothesis that SCD gene regulation and polymorphism may affect fatty acid composition and fat quality in meat and milk. In ruminant-derived food products, SCD activity has been correlated to the content of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a mixture of geometrical and positional isomers of linoleic acid C18:2 having several positive effects on human health (i.e. anticarginogenic, antiatherogenic and immunomodulating effects).Aim of this study was to assess the polymorphism of 3 previously reported Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in exon 5 of SCD gene in 12 cattle breeds raised in Italy, to evaluate the genetic variability and the genetic differences due to breed and/or selection purpose. Breeds sampled cover the whole geographic area of Italian peninsula and represent different selective purposes: 6 meat-purpose or meat-prevalence breeds (Piedmontese [n=27], Chianina [n=26], Romagnola [n=28], Marchigiana [n=30], Italian Limousine [n=22], Podolica [n=28]), 5 dairy-purpose or dairy-prevalence breeds (Italian Holstein [n=28], Italian Brown [n=26], Alpine Grey [n=18], Rendena [n=24], Cabannina [n=21]) and 1 dual-purpose breed (Italian Red Pied [n=25]).Genotyping, carried out using a competitive allele specific PCR system (KASPar) by an out-sourcing service (Kbiosciences, UK), confirmed the 3 SNPs being polymorphic in all breeds analysed. In particular, allele frequencies of the non-synonymous SNP T/C at position 10329 of the genomic sequence (GenBank accession no. AY241932), range from 0.34 in Italian Red Pied to 0.89 in Grey Alpine, showing a high variability of this polymorphism across Italian cattle. It is worth mentioning that the C allelic variant of this SNP has been associated to higher SCD activity and MUFA concentration in milk in Italian Holstein, and to higher level of MUFA percentage and lower melting point in intra-muscular fat in the Japanese Black meat breed. In the 12 breeds analysed 5 haplotypes has been reconstructed. The most frequent, ATC and GCT, are present in all the breeds studied. Interestingly, the GTC haplotype is present only in the Italian beef breed Chianina, Marchigiana, Romagnola, Podolica e Piedmontese, the ACT haplotype only in two dairy breeds Rendena and Italian Brown, and the ACC haplotype only in the Podolica breed with a low frequency. The correspondence analysis based on the genotypes at the 3 SNPs shows a clear separation between Italian beef cattle breeds and the other breeds considered. This may reflect a differential selective pressure on SCD polymorphisms or a different evolutionary history of this group of breeds.