The effects of MC4R and CACNA2D1 gene polymorphisms on carcass traits and marbling score in Turkish native cattle breeds and their crossbreds with the Holstein-Friesians

Abstract

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.