A MspI polymorphism in the bovine ornithine decarboxylase gene and its possible association with selection for milk production in Holstein bulls.
A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method for detection of a MspI-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in the bovine ornithine decarboxylase gene was developed, and the allele frequencies of the polymorphism in two groups of Holstein bulls representing progeny-tested bulls during the 1950s-1960s and 1980s, respectively, were estimated. The frequencies of the MspI(-) allele ere 0.229 and 0.077 and that of MspI(+) were 0.771 and 0.923 in the progeny-tested bulls of the 1950s-1960s and 1980s, respectively. The difference in allele frequencies between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.005). Genetic drift could be responsible for the changes in allele frequencies; however, it could also be possible that selection for milk production was associated with the changes of the allele frequencies in the two bull populations.
Yao
J
J
Department of Animal Science, McGill Uiversity, Sainte Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, Canada.
Zadworny
D
D
Kühnlein
U
U
Aggrey
S E
SE
Hayes
J F
JF
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000235:genetics*; D019003:Deoxyribonuclease HpaII; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk; D009955:Ornithine Decarboxylase / Q000235:genetics*; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
D019003:Deoxyribonuclease HpaII; D009955:Ornithine Decarboxylase