Effects of the Ala18Val hetero variants of the PPARgamma2 on carcass traits of Japanese black cattle

In order to find genetic markers to improve meat quality in Japanese Black cattle, we studied the effect of the Ala18Val hetero variants of the PPARg2 (Ala/Val) on carcass traits using 139 progeny from Sire-S (Ala/ Val). The progeny were composed of 70 wild type (Ala/Ala) and 69 Ala/Val type. We investigated the relationship between the Ala18Val substitution of the PPARg2 and carcass traits, such as carcass weight (CW), rib eye area (RA), rib thickness (RT), subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT), yield estimated percentage (YE), and beef marbling standard (BMS). Data were analyzed as a randomized blocked design in which sex and slaughter houses were treated as block factors. RT in the Ala/Val type was significantly higher than that in the Ala/Ala type (P