To elaborate a methodological approach for the assignment of a breed to a c
arcass or other animal tissue, DNA microsatellites were utilized. Four Ital
ian beef breeds were studied; examining these breeds is a challenge because
they display similar morphological and productive characteristics. As comp
arison 54 Holstein-Friesian subjects were used. To measure the genetic simi
larities between animals or between groups of animals we used our method (C
iampolini et al, 1995, Individual multilocus genotypes using microsatellite
polymorphisms to permit the analysis of the genetic variability within and
between italian beef cattle breeds. Journal of Animal science, 73, 3259-32
68.) based on the consideration of a multilocus genotype of each animal, wh
ich enabled us to establish breed genomic formulae. Although the results ar
e only preliminary, they show that we can distinguish easily between Holste
in-Friesian subjects and beef animals; moreover we can identify, with a hig
h resolution potential, animals from breeds (the four Italian white) with v
ery high genetic similarities. However all the Holstein-Friesian subjects w
ere identified. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.