Abstract：The polymorphisms in exon 17 and 3'UTR of Acyl CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase gene (DGAT1) in cattle(Bos taurus) including three Chinese breeds(Luxi, Jinnan and Qinchuan cattle) and four cross-breeding populations (Limousin×Luxi cattle, Simmental×Luxi cattle, Charolais×Luxi cattle and Angus×Luxi cattle) were detected by PCR-SSCP. Five mutations in 3'UTR of DGAT1 gene were found and named 8 402 bp(C→T), 8 414 bp(A→C), 8 445 bp(T→C), 8 465 bp(A→G) and 8 545 bp(G→A), respectively. And the 8 402 bp(C→T) mutation was not reported before. In the studied populations, the locus was at Hardy-Weinberg equilibration (P<0.05 or P<0.01) by χ2 test. Individuals with BB genotype had significantly higher living weight, carcass weight, loin eye area, body condition and average daily gain than those with CC genotype. Individuals with CC genotype had significantly higher marbling score, back fat thickness and intramuscular fat contents than those with BB genotype. In conclusion, B allele of DGAT1 gene is related to the carcass traits such as loin eye area, while C allele of DGAT1 gene was related to meat quality traits such as marbling score, back fat thickness and intramuscular fat contents.
