Association of SNP g.232 G>T Calpain Gene with Growth and Live Meat Quality Prediction using Ultrasound Images in Bali Cattle

Abstract

Bali cattle (<em>Bos javanicus</em>) are native Indonesian cattle, domesticated from banteng (<em>Bibos banteng</em>). Genes that have an important role in meat quality are calcium-activated neutral protease genes, known as calpains (CAPN). The objective of this study was to evaluate the polymophisms of calpain gene SNP g.232 G&gt;T by PCR-RFLP technique and its influence on growth trait and meat quality of Bali cattle detected by ultrasound imaging of <em>longissimus dorsi</em> thickness (LDT), back fat thickness (BFT), marbling score (MS), and intramuscular fat percentage (PIMF). The polymorphisms of CAPN1 gene were analyzed by PCR-RFLP using BglII restriction enzyme (n=52 cattle). The ultrasound images of longissimus dorsi muscle were carried out transversally and longitudinal between 12^th -13^ththoracic vertebrae then analyzed by Image-J NIH software. Result showed that  SNP g.232 G&gt;T of CAPN1 gene was polymorphic in Bali cattle. SNP g.232 G&gt;T of CAPN1 gene in Bali cattle has higher diversity which was showed of 0.48 heterozygosity value and was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The polymorphisms of SNP g.232 G&gt;T was associated significantly (P&lt;0.05) with bodyweight at 730 days, marbling score (MS), and intramuscular fat percentage (PIMF). It suggests that the CAPN1 gene in Bali cattle is a candidate for Marker Assisted Selection (MAS), which influences body weight at 730 days, marbling score, and percentage of intramuscular fat.