Fine QTL mapping for meat quality traits in French Charolaise breed using HD SNP data

Meat quality is a complex and multifactorial trait. Several factors can influence this character, including genetic and environmental factors. Based on phenotypic data for three traits related to muscular characteristics and /or meat quality in Charolais French beef cattle breed, 108 QTLs (Quantitative Trait Loci) related to these phenotypes were identified using a Bayesian approach. However, this method does not give a confidence interval. The objective of this study is to determine the confidence intervals of these QTLs based on linkage disequilibrium analysis in the Charolais breed and to identify candidate genes for the tenderness score based on mouse phenotype. QTL intervals were defined with a range from 1.93 to 20.80 Mb and an average of 13.04 Mb. Thus, 27 putative candidate genes for the tenderness score have been identified.