Growth hormone gene as a marker for improved economic traits in cattle Pal Aruna*, Chatterjee Paresh Nath, Kumar Ripusudan, Sharma Arjava Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar-243 122 (UP). *Division of Animal Genetics, E-mail: aruna_pal@rediffmail.com
Abstract Molecular markers have been developed for selection since it can utilize the entire genomic DNA, uncover genetic variation at the nucleotide level, abundantly located, numerous, can be studied irrespective of age and sex, and moreover for its analysis, samples can be collected from any body tissue. When used as Marker Assisted selection, genetic response obtained is more than the conventional selection and it can be applied at early age of life. Growth hormone has remarkable role in growth, reproduction and production and thus the polymorphism of growth hormone gene and its association with above economic traits can be used as marker. The studies conducted by various workers depicts that GH gene can be used as a candidate gene for improving both prenatal and postnatal growth, reproductive traits and milk production including milk yield as well as various milk compositions. Thus the association of the genetic variants of growth hormone gene can be utilized as a marker for future breeding purpose, provided the marker is transmitted from generation to generation. Future research should be focused on to establish it as a marker using various animal breeding models for QTL analysis, where more number of animals need to be studied for generations. Top Key words Growth hormone, molecular marker, marker assisted selection. Top |