The Effect of Imprinted Genes on Carcass Traits in Australian Angus and Hereford Cattle

Imprinted loci are those where the level of expression of an allele depends upon the allele’s parent of origin. Imprinting is a widespread phenomenon and parent-of-origin effects have been reported for many qualitative and quantitative traits, in particular carcass traits. The effect of parent-of-origin effects on three quantitative traits – eye muscle area and fat depth at the P8 and 12/13 rib sites – measured on Angus and Hereford heifers and bull calves was examined. Parentof-origin effects accounted for 12-45% of the total genetic variation for these traits.