Biochemical techniques were used to investigate the genetic variability in a Brangus-Ibage population by determining allele frequencies of 18 blood protein systems: Hemogloin beta-Chain (Hb), Albumin (Alb), Amylase (Am), Transferrin (Tf), Carbonic Anhydrase (CA), Ceruloplasmin (Cp), Malic Enzyme (ME), Diaphorase I and II (Dia I and Dia II), Slow Alpha 2 Macroglobulin (Ap), Acid Phosphatase (ACP), Esterase B and D (EstB and EstD), Phosphogluconate Dehydrogenase (PGD), Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), Glucose-Phosphate-Isomerase (GPI), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Glyoxalase I (GLO). The percentage of polymorphic loci were estimated at 0.27, the mean number of alleles was 1.33 and the mean heterozygosity was 0.07. There was a good agreement between expected and observed heterozygosity values. The population was in agreement with Hardy-Weinberg expectations in all systems. Reproductive records allowed to estimate three parameters of reproductive efficiency: mean age at first calving (1152.15 ± 166.60 days), mean calving interval (539.23 ± 124.10 days) and mean weight at first calving (391.02 ± 37.59kg). No relationship was found between reproductive efficiency and genetic systems.
Brangus-Ibage cattle; genetic characterization; reproductive efficiency
