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ARS Home » Plains Area » Miles City, Montana » Livestock and Range Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #236815
Title: Quantitative trait loci with effects on feed efficiency traits in Hereford x composite double backcross populations

Author
item MARQUEZ, G - COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
item ENNS, R - COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
item GROSZ, M - MONSANTO
item Alexander, Leeson
item Macneil, Michael

Submitted to: Animal Genetics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/27/2009
Publication Date: 9/10/2009
Citation: Marquez, G.C., Enns, R.M., Grosz, M.D., Alexander, L.J., MacNeil, M.D. 2009. Quantitative trait loci with effects on feed efficiency traits in Hereford x composite double backcross populations. Animal Genetics. 40:986-988.

Interpretive Summary: Identifying locations of quantitative trait loci in the bovine genome is a first step in discovery of genes affecting economically important traits of beef cattle. Two half-sib families of backcross progeny were produced by mating F1 Line 1 Hereford (L1) x composite gene combination (CGC) bulls with L1 and CGC cows. Feed intake and periodic weights were measured for 218 backcross progeny. These progeny were genotyped using 232 microsatellite markers that spanned the 29 BTA. Progeny from L1 and CGC females were analyzed separately using composite interval mapping to find quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting daily dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion (FCR), and residual feed intake (RFI). Results from both backcrosses were pooled to find additional QTL. In the backcross to L1, QTL were detected for RFI and DMI on BTA11, FCR on BTA16, and ADG on BTA9. In the backcross to CGC, QTL were detected for RFI on BTA10, FCR on BTA12 and 16, and ADG on BTA15 and 17. After pooling, QTL were detected for RFI on BTA 2, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13 and 16; for FCR on BTA 9, 12, 16, 17, and 21; for ADG on BTA 9, 14, 15, 17; and for DMI on BTA 2, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 20, and 23. These results are of use to scientists as they continue to develop technology to make beef production more efficient.

Technical Abstract: Two half-sib families of backcross progeny were produced by mating F1 Line 1 Hereford (L1) x composite gene combination (CGC) bulls with L1 and CGC cows. Feed intake and periodic weights were measured for 218 backcross progeny. These progeny were genotyped using 232 microsatellite markers that spanned the 29 BTA. Progeny from L1 and CGC females were analyzed separately using composite interval mapping to find quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting daily dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion (FCR), and residual feed intake (RFI). Results from both backcrosses were pooled to find additional QTL. In the backcross to L1, QTL were detected for RFI and DMI on BTA11, FCR on BTA16, and ADG on BTA9. In the backcross to CGC, QTL were detected for RFI on BTA10, FCR on BTA12 and 16, and ADG on BTA15 and 17. After pooling, QTL were detected for RFI on BTA 2, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13 and 16; for FCR on BTA 9, 12, 16, 17, and 21; for ADG on BTA 9, 14, 15, 17; and for DMI on BTA 2, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 20, and 23.