Two regions of mitochondrial DNA, D-loop and ND-5 were characterized
using polymerase chain reaction – restriction fragment length polymorphism
(PCR-RFLP) involving 422 beef cattle of Hereford and composite breeds from
Wokalup’s research station. ANOVA models (model I, II) were used to estimate
associations between molecular haplotypes and quantitative traits. The
phenotypic data used were records on calving rate, defined as the mean number
of live calves born over four years, while the genotypic data used were the result
of PCR-RFLP analysis in both regions of mitochondrial DNA using 7 restriction
enzymes. The results of the present study have provided evidence that
mitochondrial polymorphisms in the D-loop and ND-5 regions are associated
significantly with fertility. This is the first report of a correlation between
mitochondrial polymorphism in D-loop and ND-5 on fertility in beef cattle.
Key words: PCR-RFLP, bovine mitochondrial DNA, D-loop, ND-5
