Breed Discrimination Using DNA Markers Derived from AFLP in Japanese Beef Cattle

Abstract

In the meat industry, correct breed information in food labeling is required to assure meat quality. Genetic markers provide corroborating evidence to identify breed. This paper describes the development of DNA markers to discriminate between Japanese Black and F1 (Japanese BlackHolstein) breeds. The amplified fragment length polymorphism method was employed to detect candidate markers absent in Japanese Black but present in Holstein. The 1,754 primer combinations yielded eleven markers that were converted into single nucleotide polymorphism markers for high-throughput genotyping. The allele frequencies in both breeds were investigated for discrimination ability using PCR-RFLP. The probability of identifying F1 was 0.9168 and probability of misjudgment was 0.0066 using four selected markers. The markers could be useful for discriminating between Japanese Black and F1 and would contribute to the prevention of falsified breed labeling of meat.