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ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Genetics and Animal Breeding » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #155729
Title: THEORY AND APPLICATION OF GENOME-BASED APPROACHES TO IMPROVE QUALITY AND VALUE OF BEEF

Author
item Smith, Timothy - Tim
item Thallman, Richard - Mark
item Casas, Eduardo
item Shackelford, Steven
item Wheeler, Tommy
item Koohmaraie, Mohammad

Submitted to: Outlook in Agriculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/10/2003
Publication Date: 12/20/2003
Citation: SMITH, T.P., THALLMAN, R.M., CASAS, E., SHACKELFORD, S.D., WHEELER, T.L., KOOHMARAIE, M. 2003. THEORY AND APPLICATION OF GENOME-BASED APPROACHES TO IMPROVE QUALITY AND VALUE OF BEEF. OUTLOOK IN AGRICULTURE. 32(4):253-265. 2003.

Interpretive Summary: The science of genome research in livestock has been the focus of substantial worldwide effort over the last decade, resulting in the development of a genetic map for cattle and its use to identify chromosomal segments carrying genes affecting production traits. Variation in individual genes having major impact on phenotypes in cattle have been identified in the process, such as alleles causing double muscling and black/red coat color, but the majority of the loci remain unknown except for their approximate position in the cattle genome and the relative impact of variation on the trait. Approaches to fulfill the promise of genome research, resulting in DNA-based tests of genetic merit for important production traits, have been slow to develop. In this article we review the theory of genome-based approaches and potential avenues of application. We specifically discuss application to meat quality and value, but the general principles are similar for production traits such as reproduction and animal health. A substantial amount of the discussion centers on describing practical limitations on the use of genomic data and the currently available avenues for application, aspects that have heretofore received inadequate attention.

Technical Abstract: The science of genome research in livestock has been the focus of substantial worldwide effort over the last decade, resulting in the development of a genetic map for cattle and its use to identify chromosomal segments carrying genes affecting production traits. Variation in individual genes having major impact on phenotypes in cattle have been identified in the process, such as alleles causing double muscling and black/red coat color, but the majority of the loci remain unknown except for their approximate position in the cattle genome and the relative impact of variation on the trait. Approaches to fulfill the promise of genome research, resulting in DNA-based tests of genetic merit for important production traits, have been slow to develop. In this article we review the theory of genome-based approaches and potential avenues of application. We specifically discuss application to meat quality and value, but the general principles are similar for production traits such as reproduction and animal health. A substantial amount of the discussion centers on describing practical limitations on the use of genomic data and the currently available avenues for application, aspects that have heretofore received inadequate attention.