Bovine prion gene allele frequencies determined by ANFLP and RFLP analysis

Abstract
Genetic resistance to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) may be determined in part by alleles of the prion gene. The frequencies of prion allelic structural variants and a silent marker were determined by nucleic acid analysis in selected United States bulls. The frequency of a variant of the prion gene reported in BSE‐affected British bulls was 0.97 in 210 U.S. Holstein bulls and 0.99 in 46 U.S. Hereford bulls examined in the present study. Near uniformity of the U.S. cattle population for this allele may constitute a risk factor if an association of prion genotype with BSE susceptibility is established in the future.