Short communication. IL-1 family members as possible candidate genes affecting economically important traits in cattle

Health problems in cattle cause considerable economic losses for the producers. Proinflammatory cytokines have been shown to play important roles in different aspects of animal health and production. In the present work, interleukin-1β and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist genes (IL1B and IL1RN, respectively) have been localized on bovine chromosome 11 (BTA11q22). The precise location for IL1RN is reported and discrepancies concerning the exact position of IL1B (BTA 11q22 or BTA 11q23/11q24) are solved. In addition, the BTA11q22 region has been shown to carry several quantitative trait loci intervals affecting cattle production. Thus, it may be interesting to consider these two cytokines in order to develop more efficient breeding schemes and improve the accuracy and intensity of selection programs. Additional key words: breeding program, cytokines, disease, embryonic loss, stillbirth, yield grade.