Abstract: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of myostatin 5′regulatory region in Nanyang, Qinchuan and Jiaxian Red cattle breeds were analyzed by PCRRFLPs. The results showed that the allele T was dominant in the three breeds for the T→A mutation, and only one homozygous AA individual was detected in Jiaxian Red cattle which was at Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium (P<0.05). The Nanyang and Qinchuan populations were at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P>0.05). The effects of the T→A mutation on growth traits of the three breeds were also estimated. The results showed that six-month Nanyang cattle with genotype TT had lower heart girth and heart girth index than individuals with TA genotype, eighteen-month Nanyang cattle with TT genotype had higher withers heights than animals with TA genotype (P<0.05), but the effects of myostatin genotypes on growth traits were not significant in Qinchuan cattle and Jiaxian Red cattle. These results indicated that the growth stages and the selected traits should be comprehensively considered in the breeding practice of Nanyang cattle.