Divergence of Myostatin Gene in Zebu and Normal Cattle in China

Using the methods of PCR amplification and sequencing, the polymorphism of myostatin gene were detected in 18 Leiqiong cattle and 18 Mongolia Cattle. The results showed that, 1128 base pairs existed in the 36 samples, 4 polymorphic site was observed, while European normal cattle, zebu and yak hold a haplotype on these sites each. The average nucleotide difference in myostatin gene between the two populations was low (0.00242±0.00031). The average nucleotide difference was 0, indicating that Leiqiong and Mongolia Cattle had a close genetic relation and their divergence was relatively late and the molecular evolution of myostatin gene in Bovinae did not relate with adaptation.