Methods of Genotyping Livestock

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods of genotyping for selecting an animal with a desired trait such as the level monounsaturated fats in muscle tissue, the types and/or ratio of different monounsaturated fats in muscle tissue, marbling, carcass weight, meat quality, speed of finishing, feedlot efficiency and/or consumer preference. In particular the invention relates to methods of selecting an animal with a desired trait by analysing the M-RIP, NT5M and/or TCAP genes for one or more polymorphisms.

1 . An oligonucleotide primer for use in amplifying a polymorphic region of the M-RIP, NT5M and/or TCAP genes of an animal. 
     
     
         2 . The oligonucleotide primer of  claim 1 , wherein the primer is selected from:
 a) an oligonucleotide comprising a sequence selected from:   
       
         
           
                 
                 
               
                   5′-AGG GGT GCT GAG TCT ACA GG-3′, 
                   (SEQ ID NO: 1) 
                 
                     
                 
                   5′-CTC CAG GAG GCA GGA GAA G-3′, 
                   (SEQ ID NO: 2) 
                 
                     
                 
                   5′-GGA AGG CCA GTT ACA TGG CA-3′, 
                   (SEQ ID NO: 3) 
                 
                     
                 
                   5′-CAC AAC CAA GGC CAA AAT CGC A-3′, 
                   (SEQ ID NO: 4) 
                 
                     
                 
                   5′-AGT ACC AGC TGC CCT ACC A-3′, 
                   (SEQ ID NO: 5) 
                 
                   and 
                     
                 
                     
                 
                   5′-CTG AGA CAT GGA GCG AGC CA-3′, 
                   (SEQ ID NO: 6) 
                 
             
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
         b) an oligonucleotide comprising a sequence which is the reverse complement of any oligonucleotide provided in a), and 
         c) a variant of a) or b) which can be used to amplify the same region of the animal genome as any one of the oligonucleotides of a) or b). 
       
     
     
         3 . A composition comprising an oligonucleotide of  claim 1  and an acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         4 . A kit comprising an oligonucleotide of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         5 . A method of detecting the haplotype of a Wagyu cow, comprising:
 a. obtaining a sample containing DNA from a Wagyu cow; and   b. detecting whether a NT5M-MRIP-TCAP-GH haplotype selected from the group consisting of 22-40-20 B/C, 10-30-20 A and 10-40-20 B/C is present in the DNA by genotyping the DNA.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the haplotype is 22-40-20 B/C. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the haplotype is 10-30-20 A. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the haplotype is 10-40-20 B/C. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein a genotyping fragment for genotyping the DNA is between 428 and 432 basepairs long. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein a genotyping fragment for genotyping the DNA is between 428 and 432 basepairs long or between 343 and 346 basepairs long. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein a genotyping fragment for genotyping the DNA is between 428 and 432 basepairs long or between 343 and 346 basepairs long. 
     
     
         12 . A method of detecting a haplotype of a Wagyu cow, comprising:
 a. obtaining a sample containing DNA from a Wagyu cow; and   b. detecting whether a TCAP-GH selected from the group consisting of 20-C, 10-C and 10-B is present in the DNA by genotyping the DNA.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the haplotype is 20-C. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the haplotype is 10-C. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the haplotype is 10-B. 
     
     
         16 . A method of detecting a haplotype of a Wagyu cow, comprising:
 a. obtaining a sample containing DNA from a Wagyu cow; and   b. detecting whether a MRIP-TCAP-GH haplotype selected from the group consisting of 30-10-B and 40-20-A is present in the DNA by genotyping the DNA.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the haplotype is 30-10-B. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the haplotype is 40-20-A.