DNA & genetic tests
Pricing
Incl. VAT

48.4

Excl. VAT

40

Double Muscling / muscular hypertrophy (MSTN 9 variants) - Cattle

DNA panel for nine MSTN variants associated with Double Muscling or muscular hypertrophy in cattle.

Turnaround time
10 workdays
test Methods
Sequencing
Test code
PVT-2F0CDE55A82B
Species
Cattle
Breeds
Aberdeen-Angus, Belgian Blue, Blonde d'Aquitaine, Braford, Charolais, Devon, Gascon, Limousin, Maine-Anjou, Marchigiana, Parthenais, Piemontese
Matrices
Blood (EDTA), Blood (Heparin), Hair, Semen, Tissue

Overview

About Double Muscling

Double Muscling, also known as muscular hypertrophy, is mainly associated in cattle with variants in the MSTN gene. Myostatin normally limits muscle development. Variants that reduce myostatin function can increase muscle mass and reduce fat deposition.

This analysis tests nine MSTN variants used in beef cattle selection: C313Y, nt419, E226*, nt821, E291*, Q204*, S105C, F94L and D182N. Disruptive variants are especially important for pronounced muscle hypertrophy and can be associated with higher birth weights and more calving difficulty. Missense variants can influence muscularity and fat distribution without the same strong birth-risk profile.

Practical value of this test

  • Meat quality: supports selection for muscling, carcass quality and fat cover.
  • Breeding planning: helps plan risk combinations and desired combinations deliberately.
  • Breed-focused selection: useful in breeds where specific MSTN variants occur.

The result shows which variants are present and helps breeders manage muscle development, calving planning and breeding goals more precisely.

Included subanalyses

This analysis includes the following subanalyses:

  • Double Muscling C313Y (MSTN) - Cattle
  • Double Muscling D182N (MSTN) - Cattle
  • Double Muscling E226* (MSTN) - Cattle
  • Double Muscling E291* (MSTN) - Cattle
  • Double Muscling F94L (MSTN) - Cattle
  • Double Muscling nt419 (MSTN) - Cattle
  • Double Muscling nt821 (MSTN) - Cattle
  • Double Muscling Q204* (MSTN) - Cattle
  • Double Muscling S105C (MSTN) - Cattle

Allele combinations & result interpretations

Sampling and submission guidelines

References