Polymorphism in Exon 3 of Leptin Gene in Iranian Native Cattle Breeds

This study describes genetic variability of the leptin gene in four Iranian native cattle breeds. A 317 bp fragment of exon 3 of the leptin gene from 332 individuals in four different populations of Iranian cows including Golpayegani (N=92), Najdi (N=54), Sarabi (N=82) and Sistani (N=104) was amplified and PCR products digested with NruI restriction enzyme. Allele C in Golpayegani, Najdi, Sarabi and Sistani breeds were 75, 78, 59 and 52 per cent, respectively. Observed heterozygosities were 0.29, 0.37, 0.68 and 0.92 for Golpayegani, Najdi, Sarabi and Sistani cattle, respectively. This study suggests that allele frequencies of leptin differed among Iranian cattle breeds.