Project Number: 5438-31000-085-02
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 01, 2007
End Date: Aug 31, 2009

Objective:
Identify if the loci associated with Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) in a family developed from a Brahman x Hereford sire are associated with susceptibility to BRD in additional cattle families.

Approach:
This will be a joint effort between ARS and Washington State University (WSU). The U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) will identify animals that have been diagnosed and treated for bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in resource families. These families were developed for the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for economically important traits. All cases and 1 or 2 controls per family will be identified. USMARC will isolate DNA. Samples will be sent to WSU. Dr. Neibergs, at WSU, will develop single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) under QTL detected for BRD on chromosomes 2 and 26. The SNPs will be genotyped in all sires, cases, and controls. Dr. Neibergs will ascertain the association of the developed markers with the prevalence of BRD. Both partners will collaborate in the evaluation of results and publication of significant results.