TaqI restriction fragment length polymorphisms for growth hormone in bovine breeds and their association with quantitative traits.

The objectives of the present study were (1) to reveal GH-TaqI RFLPs in different bovine breeds and (2) to look for association between quantitative traits and GH-TaqI RFLPs in bulls highly selected for growth and meat production. Blood was sampled from 269 Holstein heifers, 48 Italian and 45 Hungarian Simmental heifers, 30 Normande heifers and 41 bulls and 13 heifers of the double-muscled Belgian White Blue breed. Bulls were weighed from 7 until 13 months of age and the average daily gain, the feed efficiency, the height and the phenotypic index were determined at the end of the experiment. GH-TaqI RFLPs revealed 4 DNA fragments of 6 (A), 5.2 (B), 4.4 (C) and 4.2 (D) kbp. The distribution of genotypes was different between Normande and the other breeds (P < 0.001) and between Belgian White Blue and Holstein (P < 0.001) or Hungarian Simmental breed (P < 0.005). The Normande heifers were also characterized by a high frequency of the AB genotype (53%) compared with other experimental breeds (range values: 7-24%). In the statistical analysis of the relationships between quantitative traits and GH-TaqI RFLPs in double-muscled Belgian White Blue bulls, the AC genotypic class was not used because of its low distribution. The AA class showed greater records of weight at 7 (P < 0.07) and 13 (P < 0.06) months of age than the AB class. In conclusion, this study has shown a correlation between the GH-TaqI RFLPs and weight at 7 and 13 months of age in Belgian White Blue bulls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)