Identification of a RAPD marker associated with weaning weight in Brakmas cattle

J.A. Jiken, M.A. Adura, Z. Zulkelflie, O.M. Ariff and M. Rahmah

Abstract

Bulk segregant analysis and RAPD technique were used to generate a polymorphic marker that was associated with weaning weight in Brakmas cattle. Genomic DNA from 20 male Brakmas calves were pooled into two groups i.e. group (n = 10) with very high (>135 kg) and group (n = 10) with very low weaning weight (<75 kg). A total of 100 random primers were screened for polymorphisms between the two DNA pooled. Primer Gen 2-50-22 generated polymorphic markers of 1.2 kb size between the two pooled DNA samples. The marker was also generated from all individual DNA samples of Brakmas calves with very high weaning weight but was not generated from DNA samples of calves with very low weaning weight. This indicated that the RAPD marker was associated with weaning weight in Brakmas calves. The RAPD band sequence data was compared with the DNA sequences in the GenBank database. A significant homology (99%) was observed with some of the growth hormone gene sequences in the GenBank. The RAPD band generated has the potential to be used for identifying calves with high weaning weight.

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