The association of polymorphic variants of growth hormone gene with slaughter traits and carcass composition in crossbred Red Angus × Kalmyk bull-calves

The purpose of research was to study the association of polymorphic variants of growth hormone gene with development, slaughter traits and carcass composition in crossbred Red Angus × Kalmyk bull-calves. The experiment was carried out at LLC "Agrofirma Aduchi" in Republic of Kalmykia. The object of the study was crossbred Red Angus × Kalmyk (F2) bull-calves. The use of Red Angus sires with a high concentration of G allele in GH gene in the reproduction system of a herd made it possible to obtain second-generation crossbred progeny with a genotype distribution of 0.0625: 0.5: 0.4375, respectively, VV: LV: LL. The frequency of V allele reached 0.3125. The superiority of heterozygous individuals in live weight reached 18.0 kg by the age of 18 months (P>0.05). The maximum carcass weight was established in the group of heterozygous individuals, their superiority was 25.3 kg (P <0.01). The advantage in carcass yield of carriers of the minor allele V was 1.7% (P<0.05). The heterozygous animals were superior in flesh part weight in half-carcass by 11.1 kg (P <0.001). A less pronounced intergroup difference was found in bone weight, which reached 1.2 kg (P> 0.05). The monitoring the genetic structure of the herd taken into account the allelic distribution in growth hormone gene will provide the development of meat productivity potential.