LEPTIN AND GROWTH HORMONE RECEPTOR GENE MARKERS ASSOCIATED WITH REARING, CARCASS TRAITS AND PRODUCTIVE LIFE IN CATTLE.

摘要

The invention provides a method for sub-grouping animals according to genotype wherein the animals of each sub-group have a similar polymorphism or combination of polymorphisms in the leptin gene selected from the group consisting of UASMSl, UASMS2, UASMS3, EX0N2-FB, and E2JW. The combination of single nucleotide polymorphisms of the leptin gene, especially combinations which may comprise alleles of the E2JW locus, may indicate an increase in the tenderness of meat as well as indicating the quality of other traits of the animals. The leptin polymorphisms may also be combined with polymorphisms of the bovine growth hormone receptor gene. The invention also provides methods for identifying an animal having a desirable phenotype relating to certain feed intake, dry material intake, growth rate, body weight, carcass merit and composition, and milk yield, as compared to the general population of animals of that species, which may comprise determining the presence of a single nucleotide polymorphism or combination of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the leptin and/or bGHr genes.