RAPD marker variation in meat quality traits of Poll Dorset second-cross lambs selected for muscle or growth

Abstract

All organisms are subject to mutations as a result of normal cellular operations or interactions with the environment, leading to genetic variation (polymorphism). In conjunction with selection and genetic drift, there arises genetic variation within and among individuals and species. For this variation to be useful to geneticists, it must be heritable and discernable whether as a recognisable phenotypic variation or as a genetic mutation distinguishable through molecular techniques. PCR amplification and gel electrophoresis resolution of products using RAPD primer A2 shows polymorphism of up to 5 bands was evident. It also demonstrates that at the molecular level, there are banding differences that can be picked up between crossbred progeny sired by rams with high genetic merit for growth or muscle.Fat depth at the GR and C sites was significantly (P<0.05) influenced by level of nutrition and nutrition level x siretype interaction in that fat depths were greater in crossbred lambs fed at high levels of nutrition than those fed low nutrition levels. Lambs selected for growth and fed high level of nutrition produced carcasses with the least KNIFE GR fat depth of 11.4mm, a significant reduction from 18.1mm in the control group fed low level nutrition.