J Vet Sci.  2018 Jan;19(1):157-160. 10.4142/jvs.2018.19.1.157.

Prepubertal growth and single nucleotide polymorphism analysis of the growth hormone gene of low birth weight Holstein calves

• Ro Y
• Choi W
• Kim H
• Jang H
• Lee H
• Lee Y
• Kim D

• KMID: 2402707
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2018.19.1.157

Abstract

Holstein calves weighing less than 20 kg at birth have been noted in Korea. Due to insufficient information, we raised small calves with age-matched normal birth weight Holstein calves and determined body weights before puberty. In addition, 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the growth hormone (GH) gene were analyzed. Up to 10 months of age, low birth weight calves were smaller than normal weight calves. In exon 5 of the GH gene, SNP genotype variation was detected in some small calves; however, this did not appear to be the only factor inducing low birth weight and slow growth.

Keyword

Holstein calf; growth hormone; low birth weight; prepubertal growth; single nucleotide polymorphism

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Birth Weight
Body Weight
Exons
Genotype
Growth Hormone*
Humans
Infant, Low Birth Weight*
Infant, Newborn
Korea
Parturition
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
Puberty
Growth Hormone

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Changes in body weight of small Holstein calves and normal Holstein calves (CONT) from birth to 10 months of age.

• 

  Fig. 2 (A) Comparison of growth between small calves and normal calves. Four small calves gradually exceeded the lower limit (dotted line) of standard body weight reported from the University of Wisconsin [4]. (B) Comparison of body weight in three groups (small calves with slow growth, small calves with fast growth, and normal Holstein calves [CONT]) at 10 months of age. A significant difference between groups is denoted as *p < 0.01.

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