ARCHIVES ANIMAL BREEDING, cilt.60, sa.3, ss.303-313, 2017 (SCI-Expanded)
The objective of this study was to determine the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms ( SNPs) with carcass characteristics and meat quality traits in selected candidate genes in Holstein bulls. Five SNPs in four genes, i.e. calpain 1 (CAPN1), calpastatin (CAST), leptin (LEP) and growth hormone receptor (GHR), were genotyped in 400 purebred bulls using PCR-RFLP. Statistically significant associations were as follows: CAPN1 G316A with live weight, carcass weight, back fat thickness, m. longissimus thoracis et lumborum area and carcass measurements; CAPN1 V530I with pH and L *; CAST S20T with live weight, inner chest depth and b * value; and GHR with ph, a * and h *. In addition, significant genotypic interactions were observed for dressing percentage (LEP A80V x CAST S20T), pH (CAPN1 V530I x GHR S555G and LEP A80V x GHR S555G) and rump width (CAPN1 V530I * CAST S20T). There was no association between the LEP A80V marker and any of the traits evaluated, nor was there any association of the tested SNPs with chest width, C* and marbling score. The present results could therefore be indicative for future studies on meat yield and quality.