Studies of beef performance traits in Piemontese x Nanyang crossbred using microsatellites as genetic markers

Five microsatellites, IDVGA-2, IDVGA-27, IDVGA-46, IDVGA-55 and TGLA-44 were associated to beef performance traits of 100 heads of Nanyang cattle, Piemontese and their hybrid cattle using general linear model (GLM) with statistical analysis system (SAS). For microsatellite IDVGA-27, allele 136 had a positive relation with heart girth, height at hip cross and chest depth (body measurements) and loin width (muscularity evaluation); however, allele 142 showed a significant negative correlation with above performance traits. For IDVGA-46, the individuals with allele 205 had a good muscular development at loin width, on the contrary, the allele 211, which was not found in Piemontese cattle, had a negative correlation with shoulder development. Allele 203 (IDVGA-55) had a positive association with body measurement parameters including wither height, body length, height at hip cross and rump width.