Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development

Established to identify genetic markers for economically important traits of livestock. The first trait for which genetic markers were identified, was for callipyge gene in sheep, responsible for heavy muscling. Sheep carrying the callipyge gene have 8% more muscle, 8% less fat and 2% less bone, when compared to sheep that do not express the gene. The center also identified a genetic marker for Spider Lamb Syndrome (SLS), which results in severe bone deformities of the legs and back.

• The center determined that the callipyge gene provides an additional 10.3% to the value of each marketed sheep.
• Developed a test that is 97% accurate in identifying the callipyge gene and 100% accurate in identifying the SLS gene.

• Livestock Molecular Research and Development, Inc.