Association of polymorphisms at DGAT1, leptin, SCD1, CAPN1 and CAST genes with color, marbling and water holding capacity in meat from beef cattle populations in Sweden

The objective of this study was to investigate the associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at five candidate genes with meat pH, color, marbling and water holding capacity (WHC) in young bulls from five beef breeds (n = 243) in Sweden. The UASMS2 polymorphism at the leptin gene and the SNPs at the Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 gene (SCD1.878) and μ-calpain gene (CAPN1:c.947) were associated with variation in meat color traits after 6 days of exposure to air. The K232A polymorphism at the diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) gene and the CAPN1:c.947 SNP were associated with level of beef marbling. There was no association between the SNP at the calpastatin gene (CAST:c.155) and meat quality traits, nor was there any association of the tested SNPs with WHC traits and pH value.

► Association of candidate genes and beef quality was confirmed in Swedish young bulls. ► SNPs at the leptin, SCD1 and CAPN1 genes were associated with meat color. ► SNPs at the DGAT1 and CAPN1 genes were associated with level of beef marbling. ► No association between the SNP at the CAST gene and any tested meat quality traits ► No association between any of the tested SNPs and water holding capacity and pH