Frequency Of Snps Located In Candidate Genes For Growth And Their Effect On Live Weight Variables In Beef Cattle From Tamaulipas

A full understanding of how specific genes affect live weight variables is required for their incorporation into genetic improvement programs. An analysis was done of the allelic frequencies of 28 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) located in candidate genes for growth in cattle to identify their effect on live weight traits in Charolais and Simmental herds in the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. Hair samples were collected from 313 animals and genotyped using the Sequenom MassARRAY system. Genotype analysis showed that all the markers were polymorphic in the evaluated populations and their allelic frequencies were significantly different between the two breeds (P<0.05). An association analysis found that in the Charolais population the marker PRL + 2723 had a significant effect (P=0.0350) on birth weight and the marker GHR-6.1 affected weaning weight (P=0.0226). In the Simmental population GHR-6.1 was associated with yearling weight and the marker LEP-3100 (P=0.0249) had a significant effect on weaning weight. The tested 28 SNP panel is polymorphic in both breeds and three of the markers had a significant effect on the evaluated live weight parameters. They can therefore be potentially validated for use as tools in the selection and breeding of beef cattle in Tamaulipas.