Development of PCR based assays for detection of lethal Holstein haplotype 1, 3 and 4 in Holstein Friesian cattle.

Holstein haplotype (HH) 1, 3 and 4 are lethal mutations, responsible for early embryonic losses in Holstein Friesian (HF) cattle, worldwide. Three PCR based assays - tetra Amplification Refractory Mutation System PCR, PCR primer induced restriction analysis and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism techniques for screening of HH1, 3 and 4, respectively were developed and validated. During screening, six among 60 HF bulls were found as carrier for either of three mutations. These PCR assays are highly accurate and reproducible and can be used for screening of the haplotypes in HF cattle.