EN
LHX4 is a LIM homeodomain transcription factor involved in pituitary ontogenesis. Some mutations of LHX4 are associated with combined pituitary hormone deficiency that affects growth and development in animal. The objective of this study is revealing to these polymorphisms of in LHX4 gene exons 1, 2, 3 in 820 Chinese cattle and to assess possible association of polymorphisms in LHX4 gene with growth traits in NY breed. The PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing of LHX4 gene showed five novel synonymous mutations: (GenBank: NW_001493442.2: g.35143G >A, g.35152C>T, g.35212C>T, g.35230G>A, g.35233T>C). Genotype MM (GG-CC-CC-GG-TT) and haplotype M (G-C-C-G-T) were dominant in the four breeds, and genotype frequencies of LHX4 in the four cattle populations agreed with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P>0.05), although their frequencies significantly differed among the four analyzed populations (***P<0.001). The association analysis showed that individuals with genotype MM had greater body weight than those with genotype MN (*P<0.05) at eighteen months of age in Nanyang cattle.