Rasmussen, Katianna Louisa2016-09-052016-09-052016https://hdl.handle.net/10182/7308Myostatin, also called growth and differentiation factor 8 (GDF-8), has the specific function of negatively regulating muscle growth and muscle homeostasis through its interactions with myoblasts during their proliferation to myotubes. As a result, the absence of functional myostatin proteins causes an increase in whole-body muscling. In this study a section of the promoter region of the bovine myostatin gene (GDF-8) was analysed to determine whether variation is present. Belgian Blue, South Devon and KiwiCrossTM cattle were analysed. The DNA sequence proved uniform across all animals, therefore all carry the same genotype and polymorphisms are not present.enbovinedouble-musclingmyostatin gene (MSTN)Promoter Regions, GeneticGDF8PCR- single strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP)cattleDissertationANZSRC::060103 Cell Development, Proliferation and DeathANZSRC::0601 Biochemistry and Cell BiologyANZSRC::070202 Animal Growth and DevelopmentANZSRC::070201 Animal BreedingQ112931540