Abstract: The presence of horns within commercial cattle populations increases the chances of injuries. The Polled (hornless) condition in cattle has existed since domestication, and it has been selected by breeders because of its economic importance and ease of management. A dominant mutation is believed to cause the polled phenotype. The present invention relates to the identification of breed-specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and their haplotypes, in the bovine genome, in or near gene(s) encoding polypeptides associated with the Polled phenotyped in beef production.

Abstract: The presence of horns within commercial cattle populations increases the chances of injuries. The Polled (hornless) condition in cattle has existed since domestication, and it has been selected by breeders because of its economic importance and ease of management. A dominant mutation is believed to cause the polled phenotype. The present invention relates to the identification of breed-specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and their haplotypes, in the bovine genome, in or near gene(s) encoding polypeptides associated with the Polled phenotyped in beef production.

Abstract: The physiological regulation of intake, growth and energy partitioning in animals is under the control of multiple genes, which may be important candidates for unraveling the genetic variation in economically relevant traits in beef production. The present invention relates to the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the bovine gene encoding mitochondrial transcription factor A (“TFAM”) and their associations with economically relevant traits in beef production. The invention further encompasses methods and systems, including network-based processes, to manage the SNP data and other data relating to specific animals and herds of animals, veterinarian care, diagnostic and quality control data and management of livestock which, based on genotyping, have predictable meat quality traits, husbandry conditions, animal welfare, food safety information, audit of existing processes and data from field locations.

Abstract: The physiological regulation of intake, growth and energy partitioning in animals is under the control of multiple genes, which may be important candidates for unraveling the genetic variation in economically relevant traits in beef production. The present invention relates to the identification of a single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the bovine genes encoding leptin, corticotropin-releasing hormone, and mitochondrial transcription factor A and their association with the economically relevant traits of dairy form and productive life. The invention further encompasses methods and systems, including network-based processes, to manage the SNP data and other data relating to specific animals and herds of animals, veterinarian care, diagnostic and quality control data and management of livestock which, based on genotyping, have predictable meat quality traits, husbandry conditions, animal welfare, food safety information, audit of existing processes and data from field locations.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for sub-grouping animals according to genotype wherein the animals of each sub-group have a similar polymorphism or combination of polymorphisms in the leptin gene selected from the group consisting of UASMS1, UASMS2, UASMS3, EXON2-FB, and E2JW. The combination of single nucleotide polymorphisms of the leptin gene, especially combinations which may comprise alleles of the E2JW locus, may indicate an increase in the tenderness of meat as well as indicating the quality of other traits of the animals. The leptin polymorphisms may also be combined with polymorphisms of the bovine growth hormone receptor gene.

Abstract: The physiological regulation of intake, growth and energy partitioning in animals is under the control of multiple genes, which may be important candidates for unraveling the genetic variation in economically relevant traits in beef production. The present invention relates to the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the bovine genes encoding fatty acid binding proteins and their associations with economically relevant traits in beef production. The invention further encompasses methods and systems, including network-based processes, to manage the SNP data and other data relating to specific animals and herds of animals, veterinarian care, diagnostic and quality control data and management of livestock which, based on genotyping, have predictable meat quality traits, husbandry conditions, animal welfare, food safety information, audit of existing processes and data from field locations.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for sub grouping animals according to genotype wherein the animals of each sub-group have a similar polymorphism or combination of polymorphisms in the leptin gene, the single nucleotide polymorphisms being selected from the group consisting of UASMS1, UASMS2, UASMS3, EXON2-FB, and E2JW. The combination of single nucleotide polymorphisms of the leptin gene, especially combinations comprising alleles of the E2JW locus, may also indicate an increase in the tenderness of meat as well as indicating the quality of other traits of the animals. The invention also provides methods for identifying an animal having a desirable phenotype relating to certain feed intake, growth rate, body weight, carcass merit and composition, and milk yield, as compared to the general population of animals of that species, comprising determining the presence of a single nucleotide polymorphism or combination of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the leptin gene of the animal.