Study on FABP4 gene polymorphism in Sistani and Dashtiari breeds and its association with growth traits in Sistani cattle

The polymorphism in exon 3 of FABP4 gene and its association with growth traits of 45 Sistani (n=30) and Dashtiari (n=15) cattle were investigated. DNA extraction from the whole blood was performed and its quality was determined by electrophoresis of one percent agarose gel. Animal genotypes were determined based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products and their band size electrophoresed on agarose 2. 8 percent resulted from enzyme digestion by NlaIII. The pattern of bands gave three genotypes including AA، AB and BB in two Sistani and Dashtiari breeds with frequency of 67، 30، and 3 percent and 73، 27 and 0 percent، respectively. The frequency of A and B alleles in exon 3 of FABP4 in Sistani and Dashtiari breeds were 82 and 18 percent and 86. 5 and 13. 5 percent، respectively. Heterozygosity indices including Shannon index (I)، Nei’s index، observed and expected heterozygosity in Sistani and Dashtiari population were 48، 30، 30 and 30 percent and 39، 11، 27 and 24 percent، respectively. The association between genotypes and growth-related traits were significant for body weights in 6، 9 and 12 months of age. Therefore، this locus can be considered as a candidate gene in breeding programs for describing the variation of growth traits after weaning age in calves.