The effect of growth hormone and thyroglobulin gene polymorphisms on the morphological composition of carcasses and the bioconversion of feed into meat products in Hereford bulls

The development of new directions in beef cattle breeding is focused on the creation of highly productive animals capable of efficient meat production with rational use of feed protein and energy.
The aim of the work was to evaluate the effect of genotype by growth hormone and thyroglobulin genes on morphological composition of carcass and feed bioconversion into meat products in Hereford bulls. Hereford bulls genotyped for GH and TG5 genes (n = 9) were raised to 21 months of age. Homozygous carriers of the V allele of the GH gene consumed 6.4% (р = 0.09) more feed crude protein during the rearing period, accompanied by better muscle tissue development by 25.6 kg (р < 0.05) and skeletal development by 3.1 kg (р < 0.05), and lower fat content by 6.4 kg (р < 0.05). In LL-genotype carriers, lean accounted for 70.6% of carcass weight, which was 4.7–5.2% (р < 0.05) less than peers with the V allele. Between homozygous genotypes for GH gene there was a significant difference in feed metabolizable energy consumption per 1 kg of gain at the level of 9.82 MJ (р = 0.05). In bulls with VV-variant of GH gene 10% of feed crude protein was used for building body tissues, which was 0.9% (р = 0.19) higher than in LL-genotype. Carcass fat amount was significantly (р < 0.05) determined by the TG5 gene genotype of young animals. T allele was associated with intensive fat deposition and C allele with muscle development. Genetic variation in GH and TG5 genes can be used to improve the breeding efficiency of Hereford cattle.

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