Carcass and beef quality traits are economically important traits and are
expressed by multiple genes. The effects of the MC4R c.856C>G and CACNA2D1
c.2027A>G polymorphisms on carcass and meat quality traits are limited.
Therefore, this study aimed at evaluating the association of bovine MC4R and
CACNA2D1 markers with carcass characteristics and meat quality. A total of
102 cattle including Turkish Grey Steppe, East Anatolian Red, Zavot, and
their F1 crossbreds with the Holstein-Friesians were genotyped using the
PCR-RFLP method. The phenotypic traits measured were slaughter weight, hot
carcass weight, chilled carcass weight, dressing percentage, chilling loss,
carcass fatness score, carcass pH24, and marbling score. Statistical
analyses were performed using linear mixed models in the entire cattle
population and also from a breed-specific aspect. Population genetics and
diversity indices were also estimated. Results revealed that the genetic
markers in this study are reasonably informative for the studied cattle
population and exhibit an intermediate genetic diversity. Concerning the
MC4R c.856C>G polymorphism, there was no significant association with any of
the traits analyzed, indicating that this MC4R c.856C>G is not a desirable
marker for carcass traits and marbling. Here, we report a novel association
between the CACNA2D1 c.2027A>G polymorphism and marbling score. The GG
genotype was characterized by higher marbling scores (P<0.05). Bovine
CACNA2D1 is located on BTA 4, which consists of important QTLs for marbling,
and hence, the evaluation of genetic markers within this genomic region may
reveal novel genetic associations through meat quality.