Allelic and genotypic frequencies of SNP related to beef and carcass quality in Romosinuano cattle in Mexico

Abstract

Abstract Romosinuano is a tropically adapted Bos taurus breed, and some Mexican breeders look to improve it genetically. The aim was to estimate allelic and genotypic frequencies for SNPs associated with meat quality in a Mexican Romosinuano population. Four hundred ninety-six animals were genotyped using the Axiom©BovMDv3 array. Only SNPs related to meat quality in this array were studied in this analysis. The Calpain, Calpastatin, and Melanocortin-4 receptor alleles were considered. Allelic and genotypic frequencies and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were estimated with the PLINK software. Principal component analysis was carried out with the meat quality SNPs information to determine stratification by haplotype in genes of the population. Alleles associated with meat tenderness, higher marbling score, and lower shear force were found in the Romosinuano cattle population. CAPN1_4751 was found in Hardy Weinberg equilibrium. The rest of the markers could be affected by selection and inbreeding. Romosinuano cattle in Mexico have similar genotypic frequencies in markers related to meat quality to Bos taurusbreeds known for their meat tenderness. Breeders can choose a marker-assisted selection to improve meat quality characteristics.