Abstract: A method is provided for determining resistance to mastitis in a bovine subject, comprising detecting in a sample from said bovine subject the presence or absence of at least one genetic marker that is associated with at least one trait indicative of mastitis resistance of said bovine subject and/or off-spring therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining the individual effect of a plurality of genetic marker alleles on udder health, fertility and/or other health of a plurality of reference bovine subjects. The marker effects are employed in another aspect of the invention for determining a genomic estimated breeding value of a bovine subject based on the genotype of said bovine subject by correlating its genotype with the effect of each individual genetic marker allele on udder health, fertility, other health and/or estimated breeding value of the reference bovine subjects. Further provided are methods and computer program products and computer readable media for executing the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining calving characteristics in bovine subjects, wherein calving characteristics comprise stillbirth, calving difficulty and calf size at birth, which are all economically important factors. In particular, the method of the invention involves identification of genetic markers and/or Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) for the determination of calving characteristics in a bovine subject. The determination of calving characteristics involves resolution of the specific microsatellite status. Furthermore, the invention relates to a diagnostic kit for detection of genetic marker(s) associated with calving characteristics. The method and kit of the present invention can be applied for selection of bovine subjects for breeding purposes. Thus, the invention provides a method of genetically selecting bovine subjects with calving characteristics that will yield cows less prone to stillbirth, calving difficulties and undesired calf size at birth.