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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 23 November 2017
Molecular biology techniques are of help in genetic improvement since they permit the identification, mapping and analysis of polymorphisms of genes encoding proteins that act on metabolic pathways involved in economically interesting traits. The somatotrophic axis, which essentially consists of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH), growth hormone (GH), insulin like growth factors I and II (IGF-I and IGF-II), and their associated binding proteins and receptors (GHRHR, GHR, IGF-IR and IGF-IIR), plays a key role in the metabolism and physiology of mammalian growth (Curi et al.,2005). Polymorphic sites in genes involved in the mediation of growth factors are logical candidates to study for possible associations with livestock production traits. The objective of this study was to estimate the allele and genotype frequencies of the IGF-I/SnaBI gene polymorphism in Iranian Holstein cows and their relations with performance traits.