A MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTIC KIT BASED ON REAL-TIME POLYMERASE CHAIN ​​REACTION HIGH RESOLUTION MELTING (qPCR-HRM) FOR THE DETECTION OF MYOSTATIN GENE MUTATIONS CAUSING DOUBLE-MUSCLE IN CATTLE

Abstract

An 11-base pair indel mutation in the myostatin gene is known to be strongly associated with the double-muscling phenotype in cattle. While potentially beneficial for beef production, this mutation also causes negative effects such as difficult calving (dystocia), necessitating its control, particularly in purebred local cattle populations. To address this need, the present invention provides a real-time polymerase chain reaction high resolution melting (qPCR-HRM)-based molecular diagnostic kit designed to detect the 11-base pair indel mutation in the myostatin gene quickly, accurately, and efficiently. The kit includes specific primers targeting the 11-base pair indel mutation, a reaction mixture formulation, a standardized qPCR-HRM program, and a genotype interpretation method. The present invention offers the advantage of being able to detect the mutation quickly, accurately, and efficiently.The provision of this diagnostic kit is expected to be a supporting tool in a sustainable cattle breeding program.