Genomic identification of the breed of an individual or its tissue

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.