Association of leptin gene polymorphism with growth in crossbred cattle through PCR-RFLP analysis

Efforts to enhance cattle productivity often involve strategic crossbreeding and selection methods. This study investigates the relationship between leptin gene polymorphism and growth characteristics in crossbred cattle, which is crucial for improving livestock performance. Successful crosses were achieved by mating Brahman Cross females with Belgian Blue, Galician Blonde, and Wagyu bulls. The leptin gene plays a pivotal role as a selection marker, influencing body metabolism in cattle. One hundred seventeen crossbred cattle samples were collected from Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia. Using the HindIII restriction enzyme, the research method employed PCR-RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism). Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis of the SNP g.3272 T/C in first filial (F1) crossbreeds of Belgian Blue, Galician Blonde, and Wagyu demonstrated Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE). It exhibited high Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) values, indicating genetic stability and diversity within the populations. The association between SNP g.3272 T/C and growth characteristics was highly significant. Specifically, this SNP showed substantial associations with birth weight, body length, chest circumference, shoulder height, and average daily gain at birth, weaning, and one year of age. It was also associated with average daily gain in F1 Belgian Blue crossbred cattle, particularly among those with the highest frequency of the TC genotype. Similarly, significant associations were observed at weaning and 1.5 years of age and with average daily gain in F1 Galician Blonde crossbred cattle, especially among those with the highest frequency of the CC genotype. This study highlights the importance of genetic markers, like SNP g.3272 T/C in the leptin gene, for understanding and improving growth characteristics in crossbred cattle populations.