QTL affecting body weight in a candidate region of cattle chromosome 5

Abstract

The objective of this work was to identify QTLs for liveweight in a candidate region of bovine chromosome 5. Half-sib families from two lines, one traditional and the other new, of Canchim beef cattle (5/8 Charolais + 3/8 Zebu) were genotyped for four microsatellite markers, including the microsatellite in the IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1) promoter region. Significant differences in allele distribution between the two lines were found for three markers. Interval mapping analyses in this region indicated the presence of a QTL controlling birth weight (p < 0.05) and of a QTL influencing breeding value for yearling weight (p < 0.01) in the newer line of the breed. The previously identified interaction between the IGF-1 genotype and genetic group strengthens the hypothesis of a linked QTL rather than an IGF-1 effect on growth traits in the Canchim cattle.