Gene frequencies of DRB3.2 locus of Argentine Creole cattle

Abstract

Gene and genotype frequencies of BoLA-DRB3 were studied in seven herds of Argentine Creole cattle. Twenty-one out of thirty previously identified alleles were detected in this breed. The F statistics showed high degree of variability among the studied subpopulations suggesting that subdivision and genetic drift, rather than inbreeding, have been the major factors acting on the observed interpopulation variability. The observed high degree of genetic variation in Argentine Creole cattle could be crucial for the long-term survival of this population. Maintenance of such polymorphism, as a genetic resource, could be an important issue that will demand attention in future breeding programmes in species under high selective pressures.