Genetic variability of calpastatin and calpain genes in Iranian Zel sheep using PCR-RFLP and PCR-SSCP methods

The genotypes for calpastatin [CAST] and calpain [CAPN] loci were determined by PCR-RFLP and PCRSSCP methods. Blood samples were collected from 200 pure-bred Zel sheep from Shirang's Zel sheep Breeding Station located in south-west of Golestan, Iran. Extraction of genomic DNA was performed based on the modified salting out method. Based on results, two investigated loci were polymorphic and had different gene variants. Heterozygosis was low for both loci. Chi-square test confirmed Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium only in CAST locus using SSCP method. Detected polymorphisms and associations of genetic variation with meat production and tenderness may help to find the effective genotypes of Zel sheep for the economic traits

Association of genetic variants of beta-lactoglobulin gene with milk production in a herd and a superior family of Holstein cattle

Polymorphism of the beta-lactoglobulin [beta-LG] gene in 101 cows belonging to the Holstein herd and a superior cow, producing more than 150 Kg milk/day, together with four offsprings was investigated by the Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism [PCR-RFLP] method. In the Holstein herd, the alleles A and B of the beta-LG gene had frequencies of 0.53 and 0.47, respectively. The genotypes AA, AB and BB of the beta-LG gene were estimated to have frequencies of 0.257, 0.544 and 0.198, respectively. Genotypes were distributed according to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Results indicated that the beta-LG genotypes significantly affected [P< 0.01] milk yield [genotype AA being more effective than genotype BB]. The superior cow and her progenies were all heterozygotes [AB]