Genetic Marker Approach for Confirming the Existing Twinning Trait in PO Cattle

Abstract

Up to present, Indonesia still depends on importing of the beef cattle from overseas both for slaughtering and feedlot needs. The Ongole ascendant (PO) cattle is one of Indonesian beef cattle representatives that has adapted very long in Indonesia and has a potential source of meat production. Almost 1% PO cows in central Java delivered twin calves both by AI and nature fertilization. This study was designed to confirm the existence of genetic marker associating with twinning trait in PO cattle. Amount of 35 DNA samples were collected from PO cows with twin birth experiences and twin calves. Amount of 12 DNA control samples was also involved. Three pairs of primers for microsatellite genetic markers of BMS-1216; BM-321and RM103 were used for amplification of all DNA samples. PCR products were visualized through 8% ND PAGE. The result showed that all fragments with twinning experience were on right sizes of BMS1216 (143-165bp); BM-321 (108-126bp) and RM 103 (114-144bp) of the Bovine chromosome 5. Even though negative samples delivered not clear bands but there were still in the right sizes of applied microsatellites. Microsatellite marker is only an early clue that obtained fragments might be bearing the putative locus associating with twin trait. Therefore in the coming study it needs to confirm the existence of candidate gene(s) associating with twinning traits by using SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) markers.