Association of Calpastatin (CAST) Gene Polymorphism with Weaning Weight and Ultrasonic Measurements of Loin Eye Muscle in Kivircik Lambs

This study was to investigate the association of Calpastatin (CAST) gene with carcass quality characteristics in Kivircik lambs, which are important in Turkey in terms of meat production and quality. It was found that allele M of Calpastatin locus was the most common allele. MM, MN and NN genotype frequencies were 72.91%, 22.66% and 4.43%, respectively. This SNP was associated with backfat thickness and skin+backfat thickness values of loin eye muscle (Musculus longissimus thoracis et lumborum-MLD) and average daily gain (P<0.05). Live weight, average daily gain, backfat thickness and skin+backfat thickness mean values were found to be lower in animals with NN genotype when compared to those with MM and MN genotype. The results showed that Calpastatin gene affected back fat and skin+backfat and that they had less fatty carcass than those with NN genotype.