DNA profiling of cattle using micro‐ and minisatellite core probes

We have evaluated 15 different micro‐ and minisatellite core probes for use in identity and paternity testing in cattle, based on Southern blot hybridization analysis. The core probes were tested in animals of different breeds and by analysis of seven two‐generation pedigrees. Of the 15 core probes tested, seven were able to detect on average seven variant bands per individual animal. Segregation analysis showed that on average two out of 3 6 variant bands scored per core probe were genetically linked while two out of 12 variant bands correspond to the same allelic pair. The results obtained demonstrate the effectiveness of multilocus core probes for determining identity and paternity in cattle.