Genomic identification of the breed of an individual or its tissue

To elaborate a methodological approach for the assignment of a breed to a carcass or other animal tissue, DNA microsatellites were utilized. Four Italian beef breeds were studied; examining these breeds is a challenge because they display similar morphological and productive characteristics. As comparison 54 Holstein-Friesian subjects were used. To measure the genetic similarities between animals or between groups of animals we used our method (Ciampolini 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, 3259-3268.) based on the consideration of a multilocus genotype of each animal, which enabled us to establish breed genomic formulae. Although the results are only preliminary, they show that we can distinguish easily between Holstein-Friesian subjects and beef animals; moreover we can identify, with a high resolution potential, animals from breeds (the four Italian white) with very high genetic similarities. However all the Holstein-Friesian subjects were identified. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.