Seven single nucleotide polymorphisms in six genes (LEP, IGF2, MC1R, PMCH, CAPN1, and CAST) which had been shown to affect traits of economic importance were used to compare the allele frequencies and diversity of a Canadian population of Angus cattle and an International population. Genetic diversity was also measured using 22 microsatellite markers that were assumed not to be affected by selection.<p>
The Canadian population consisted of 107 cows and 57 bulls, while the Canadian Angus Associations International Embryo Program population consisted of 26 calves. Black and red animals were represented in each population. Although the bulls of the Canadian population represent Angus from 16-17 years ago, and the cows of the Canadian population represent Angus from 2006-2007, no difference was observed in either the set of microsatellite genotypes nor the SNP genotypes.<p>
A significant difference was found between the Canadian and International populations at CAST, with the Canadian population exhibiting a higher frequency of the favorable A allele than the International population. This allele is positively correlated with tenderness. No significant differences were found for the other genes. Both populations were in Hardy Weinburg equilibrium for all genes except MC1R, which affects coat color.<p>
Using microsatellites, the total genetic variability of the two Angus populations was measured, showing that 93% of total variability was attributed to differences within, and not between, populations. Randomly chosen cattle could also be assigned to the correct population 97% of the time, based on microsatellite genotypes, and 75% of the time based on SNP genotypes.<p>
Mean heterozygosity was 0.578 based on microsatellites and 0.332 based on SNPs. The proportion of genetic variability between the two populations was 3% based on microsatellites and 7% based on SNPs. It is possible this reflects the results of indirect selection differences in various countries.<p>
Finally, Neis genetic distance was measured between the Canadian and International populations. The Canadian and International populations had a pairwise genetic distance of 0.097. In comparison, the genetic distance of Canadian Angus was 0.135 to Blonde dAquitaine, 0.251 to Simmental, 0.258 to Gelbvieh, 0.281 to Limousin, 0.305 to Holstein, 0.334 to Belgian Blue, and 0.452 to Hereford based on microsatellite markers.<p>
The results of this study show that the Angus breed contains as much or more genetic diversity than other cattle breeds. Greatest genetic differences exist between individual animals, not between populations of cattle in Canada and other countries.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:SSU.etd-10262009-135855 |
| Date | 09 November 2009 |
| Creators | Carruthers, Chelsey Rae |
| Contributors | Schmutz, Sheila M. |
| Publisher | University of Saskatchewan |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | http://library.usask.ca/theses/available/etd-10262009-135855/ |
| Rights | unrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached hereto a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to University of Saskatchewan or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. |
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