Frequencies of the variants associated with the calpain and calpastatin genes in Brazilian Brahman cattle

Abstract

The objective of this work was to estimate the frequency of favorable genotypes in the gene markers CAPN1 316, CAPN1 4751, CAPN3, and CAST c.2832 in Brazilian Brahman cattle. A total of 108 DNA samples from purebred Brahman cattle were analyzed to genotype the animals for each marker through polymerase chain reaction and direct Sanger sequencing. These samples were originated from 54 bulls and 54 cows used as semen and oocyte donors, respectively. The genotype frequencies, known to be associated with meat tenderness, were 48% AA in CAST and 14% GG in CAPN3. CAST has been used in the selection of animals with a meat tenderness phenotype across various cattle breeds, including Brahman cattle from other countries. The CC genotype, which is favorable in CAPN1 316 and CAPN1 4751, was not identified in the analyzed samples. The highest prevalence of the AA genotype in CAST observed in bulls and cows used in purebred breeding programs in Brazil indicates that this marker can be used to guide mating strategies in order to increase the frequency of this genotype and enhance meat tenderness.