The association of CAPN1 316 marker genotypes with growth and meat quality traits of steers finished on pasture.

The objective of this paper was to determine the association of a SNP in the mu-calpain gene at position 316 with growth and quality of meat traits of steers grown on pasture. Fifty-nine Brangus and 20 Angus steers were genotyped for CAPN1 316. Warner Bratzler shear force was measured in l. lumborum samples after a 7-day aging period. A multivariate analysis of variance was performed, including shear force (WBSF), final weight (FW), average daily gain (ADG), backfat thickness (BFT), average monthly fat thickness gain (AMFTG), rib-eye area (REA), and beef rib-eye depth (RED) as dependent variables. The CAPN1 316 genotype was statistically significant. Univariate analyses were done with these variables. The marker genotype was statistically significant (p < 0.05) for WBSF (kg: CC: 4.41 +/- 0.57; CG: 5.58 +/- 0.20; GG: 6.29 +/- 0.18), FW (kg: CC: 360.23 +/- 14.71; CG: 381.34 +/- 5.26; GG: 399.23 +/- 4.68), and ADG (kg/d: CC: 0.675 +/- 0.046; CG: 0.705 +/- 0.016; GG: 0.765 +/- 0.014) Shear force, final weight and average daily gain were significantly different according to the CAPN1 316 marker genotypes. The marker genotype was statistically significant in the multivariate analysis (p = 0.001). The first characteristic root explained 89% of the differences among genotypes. WBSF, FW and ADG were the most important traits in the first vector, indicating that animals with the marker genotype for lowest WBSF also have the lowest FW and ADG.