Genomic DNAs from animals representing six breeds of cattle (Angus, Brahman, Hereford, Holstein, Jersey and Texas Longhorn) were screened with cloned gene probes in a search for restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). Eleven RFLPs were identified using seven different probes: growth hormone, prolactin, osteonectin, alpha A-crystallin, gamma crystallin, fibronectin and 21-steroid hydroxylase. The frequencies of the alleles identified by each probe were calculated and compared in a limited sampling of the six bovine breeds. These polymorphisms greatly enhance the pool of immunogenetic, biochemical and molecular markers available in cattle for linkage analysis, testing of parentage, and distinction of breeds.