Search

Background and Aim: Improving the feed efficiency of beef cattle is necessary to increase the profitability of meat production. Implementing marker-assisted selection breeding systems can improve the genetic potential of beef cattle for increased productivity. This research aimed to study the effects of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 C472T, growth hormone (GH) C2141G, and GH receptor (GHR) T914A polymorphisms on growth performance and feed efficiency in young Kazakh white-headed cattle. Materials and Methods: Young Kazakh white-headed cattle (n = 50) were grouped after weaning according to sex (28 bulls and 22 heifers) and they were genotyped according to the IGF-1 C472T, GH C2141G, and GHR T914A polymorphisms. The test period was conducted from 8 to 15 months of age. The experimental animals were evaluated for live weight (LW) at the beginning and end of the test period. They were also assessed for average daily gain, hip height, metabolic mid-weight (MMWT), actual dry matter intake (DMI), and residual feed intake (RFI). Results: Significant differences in MMWT were found between the bulls with the IGF-1TT and IGF-1CT genotypes, which was a 2.2 kg increase in heterozygous cattle (p < 0.05). Heterozygous IGF-1CT bulls differed with a higher DMI of 0.087 kg/ day (p < 0.05) compared to IGF-1TT homozygotes. Carriers of the IGF-1TT genotype had the greatest feed efficiency at 0.068 kg/day (p < 0.05). Heifers with the GHCC genotype differed in their maximum DMI with an increase of 1.17%–1.57% (p < 0.05) relative to the other genotypes. The G allele in the GH C2141G polymorphism was associated with better (p < 0.05) feed efficiency in the Kazakh white-headed breed. The minimum DMI and RFI in GHR T914A heterozygous heifers were significantly inferior (p < 0.05) to the other genotypes. Conclusion: Association studies of the IGF-1 C472T, GH C2141G, and GHR T914A polymorphisms indicate a relationship between growth, development, and feed efficiency with the genetic characteristics of young Kazakh white-headed cattle. A significant (p < 0.05) dominant effect was found in the IGF-1 gene in bulls and in the GHR gene in heifers, which should be considered when breeding with heterogeneous parental pairs. The negative effect of the allele substitution in the IGF-1 C472T polymorphism was observed in the LW of heifers (−3.25 kg) at the age of 8 months and bulls (−6.05 kg) at 15 months. The substitution in the GH C2141G polymorphism was associated with a significant reduction in DMI by 0.036 kg (p < 0.05) and an increase in feed efficiency by 0.023 kg (p < 0.05) during the rearing of heifers. These results can improve the production efficiency of mature herds of Kazakh white-headed cattle.

Background and Aim: The leptin (LEP) gene plays a role in the regulation of the activity required to obtain food, energy metabolism, and fat deposition and affects the body composition of animals. Lipogenesis is an ineffective process. A lot of energy from feed is expended on the synthesis of adipose tissue. This study aimed to determine the effect of LEP C528T and LEP C73T polymorphisms and pregnancy on adipose tissue formation and carcass grade in Aberdeen Angus heifers and first-calf cows. Materials and Methods: Heifers (n = 49) and first-calf cows (n = 30) were grouped according to their genotype for LEP C528T and LEP C73T polymorphisms at the age of 24 months. DNA samples were isolated from whole blood. Experimental animals were slaughtered at the age of 24 months, and a chemical analysis of samples of longissimus dorsi muscle and ground beef was performed. Results: The maximum internal fat weight, back-fat thickness, and fat content of the longissimus dorsi muscle and ground beef were determined in heifers heterozygous for both LEP C528T and LEP C73T polymorphisms. The ranking of genotypes in terms of adipose tissue formation did not change in first-calf cows compared to heifers carrying the same LEP gene variants. Pregnancy had a more significant (p < 0.05–0.001) effect on slaughter parameters and lipogenesis in animals of different genotypes than studied polymorphisms. Heterozygosity of the LEP gene was much more strongly expressed in the carcass grade of heifers. "Prime" grades were assigned to 66.7% of carcasses heterozygous for LEP C528T and "Top Choice" to 58.8% of carcasses with LEP C73T nucleotide substitutions. Conclusion: LEP C528T and LEP C73T polymorphisms were shown to affect the extent of fat formation in Aberdeen Angus heifers and first-calf cows. Animals with heterozygous genotypes exhibited the maximum development of internal fat, back-fat, and intramuscular fat. Pregnancy had a more significant effect on slaughter parameters and adipose tissue formation than studied polymorphisms. First-calf cows had a significantly lower fat content in carcasses than heifers. These results can aid in the production of efficient mature herds of Aberdeen Angus cattle.