A genetic analysis of lysosomal enzyme activities in Brahman cattle

Abstract

Analyses of variance and covariance were carried out on the activities of three lysosomal enzymes in mononuclear blood cells from Brahman cattle. These were hexosaminidase (HEX), beta-D-galactosidase (GAL) and acid alpha-glucosidase (GLU) which had been measured in blood mononuclear cells from 1752 cattle from 6 herds in a Pompe's disease control programme. Herd of origin and date of bleeding significantly affected the level of activity of all enzymes. In addition, HEX and GAL were affected by age and HEX by the sex of the animal bled. Estimates of heritability from sire variances were 0.29 ¦ 0.09 for HEX, 0.31 ¦ 0.09 for GAL and 0.44 ¦ 0.09 for GLU. Genetic correlations between all enzymes were positive. The data indicate the existence of a major gene causing Pompe's disease and responsible for 16% of the genetic variation in GLU. One standard deviation of selection differential for high GLU should almost eliminate Pompe's disease from the population. The efficiency of selection would be aided by estimating the breeding value for GLU using measurements of HEX and GLU and taking account of an animal's sex, age, date of bleeding and herd of origin.