Polymorphisms in genes of the somatotrophic axis are independently associated with milk production, udder health, survival and animal size in Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle

The somatotrophic axis consisting of pituitary-derived growth hormone and circulating insulin-like growth factor 1 has been well established as key regulators of animal health, metabolism, lactation, fertility, body composition and growth rate. The aim of this study was to simultaneously quantify the associations between SNPs in candidate genes of the somatotrophic axis (i.e., IGF-1, GH1 and GHR) with performance traits in Holstein-Friesian (HF) dairy cattle. Both novel SNPs identified previously by this group alongside other published SNPs within these genes were analysed for associations with performance in dairy cattle. Multiple regression analyses regressing genetic merit of up to 848 HF sires on novel SNPs (n = 76) and published SNPs (n = 33) were undertaken using weighted animal mixed linear models. Twenty-three SNPs were significantly associated with at least one of 18 traits analysed and involved in milk production, udder health, fertility and growth. Eight traits including milk fat composition, carcass conformation, stature, chest width, body depth, rump width, carcass and cull cow weight were independently associated with SNPs in two genes. Furthermore, for several traits including milk fat yield, somatic cell count, survival and carcass fat, SNPs in all three genes were independently associated with performance. Milk fat yield and carcass fat showed the highest number of independent associations across all three genes with five SNPs associated with both traits. The cumulative effects of the favourable alleles of all five SNPs across GH1, GHR and IGF-1 result in an increase of 5.9 kg and 28.6 units of milk fat and carcass fat, respectively. Cow survival was associated with a single SNP in each of the three genes with a cumulative allele effect of 1.5%. Independent effects of polymorphisms in GH1, GHR and IGF-1 reinforce the central role of the somatotrophic axis on animal development and performance.     

戴瑞奶绵羊产奶性状的全基因组关联分析

旨在通过对奶绵羊产奶性状的全基因组关联分析（GWAS）,寻找和定位与奶绵羊产奶性状相关的遗传标记和功能基因。本研究以135只戴瑞奶绵羊为试验材料,基于全基因组重测序技术,通过SAMTOOLS进行单核苷酸多态性（SNP）检测,使用PLINK v1.90进行质控,利用GEMMA v 0.98.1的混合线性模型对质控结果进行奶绵羊产奶性状相关的全基因组关联分析。结果表明,有1个SNP与泌乳后90天日均产奶量在全基因组范围内显著相关,8个SNPs达到潜在显著关联,相关的候选基因包括TRNAQ-CUG-2、LOC114117240、ACADL、MYL1、CHD6、SLCO3A1;有2个SNPs与150天日均产奶量达潜在显著关联,相关的候选基因包括PRMT6、RNF180;有2个SNPs与泌乳周期达潜在显著关联,相关的候选基因包括PRMT6、TRNAW-CCA-68、TRNAS-GGA-61。进一步基因功能分析推测,ACADL、SLCO3A1可能是影响奶绵羊产奶性状的候选基因。本研究为奶绵羊产奶性状的分子机制解析提供了一定的基础,为我国奶绵羊新品种培育提供了一定的理论参考。     

牛催乳素基因及其单核苷酸多态性与产奶性状关系的研究进展

SNPs是目前遗传标记研究的一大热点,牛催乳素(prolactin,PRL)基因是与产奶性状相关的重要候选基因。PRL基因上的SNPs与牛的产奶量、乳脂量、乳蛋白量、乳脂率、乳蛋白率等性状存在某种关联,可用于牛的标记辅助选择(MAS)育种。笔者从PRL的结构与功能、基因的定位及作用机制、PRL上的SNPs与产奶性状关系的研究等几个方面进行了综述。     

Genetic structure of milk protein polymorphisms and effects on milk production traits in a local dairy cattle

The milk protein genetic structure of the Reggiana dairy local cattle with remarkable milk quality properties was analysed and compared with the structure of Italian Friesian and Italian Brown cattle. A total of 1138 individual milk samples from the three breeds were typed by isoelectrofocusing. Polymorphism was found at the α_s1‐casein (CSN1S1), β‐casein (CSN2), κ‐casein (CSN3), and β‐lactoglobulin (LGB) loci. High frequencies were observed for some casein alleles in Reggiana (CSN1S1*C, 25%; CSN2*B: 28%) with considerable differences to those observed in a survey carried out 30 years before. A great variation among breeds was observed for casein haplotype frequencies and high linkage disequilibrium was detected at the three polymorphic casein loci CSN1S1‐CSN2‐CSN3. The prevalent haplotypes were CA²B (23%; Reggiana), BA²A (48%; Italian Friesian) and BA²B (51%; Italian Brown). Higher G_ST values between breeds were observed when haplotype frequencies were considered instead of gene frequencies. In the Reggiana cattle, the occurrence of two casein alleles at a rather high frequency (CSN1S1*C, CSN2*B) allowed to estimate the effects of rare casein haplotypes on milk traits. The CA²B haplotype was associated with a significantly higher milk protein and fat content and a significantly higher protein per cent was found also for the BA¹B haplotype.     

中国荷斯坦牛PIK3CB基因多态性及其与繁殖和产奶性状的关联分析

【目的】 探究磷脂酰肌醇-4,5-二磷酸3-激酶催化亚单位β（PIK3CB）基因多态性及其与中国荷斯坦牛繁殖和产奶性状的关系。【方法】 通过混池测序对中国荷斯坦牛PIK3CB基因进行单核苷酸多态性（SNP）位点筛选,采用竞争性等位基因特异性PCR （KASP）技术在1 160头健康泌乳中国荷斯坦牛中进行SNP分型并进行群体遗传学分析,采用线性模型进行SNP与11个繁殖和产奶性状基于单位点和单倍型组合的关联分析。【结果】 在PIK3CB基因中共检测到了17个SNPs,筛选出7个SNPs用于后续分析。关联分析发现,7个SNPs与多个目标性状存在显著或极显著的关联（P<0.05;P<0.01）;位于外显子区域的g.130433743 A>G位点AA基因型个体和位于可变剪接区域的g.130448069 G>A位点GG基因型个体,其经产牛首末次配种间隔、产奶量、乳蛋白量和乳脂量最低,体细胞评分最高,上述基因型个体具有较短的首末次配种间隔,而产奶性能相对较差;g.130387717 G>A位点AA基因型个体,其初配日龄和青年牛首末次配种间隔最低,产奶量、乳蛋白量和乳脂量最高,该基因型个体的繁殖和产奶性能均较好,上述3个SNPs位点可作为中国荷斯坦牛繁殖和产奶性状的候选位点重点关注。单倍型分析发现,PIK3CB基因的g.130387717 G>A、g.130430832 A>－、g.130433743 A>G、g.130433982 C>T、g.130446073 C>T和g.130448069 G>A 6个SNPs紧密连锁形成一个单倍型块,且与多个目标性状存在显著或极显著关联（P<0.05;P<0.01）,其中H2H3和H2H4单倍型组合个体的繁殖和产奶性能较好,为优势单倍型组合。【结论】 中国荷斯坦牛PIK3CB基因存在丰富的遗传变异,其多态性与繁殖和产奶性状存在关联,g.130433743 A>G、g.130448069 G>A和g.130387717 G>A位点可作为潜在分子标记,为中国荷斯坦牛的平衡育种提供理论依据。     

Association analysis between bilateral convergent strabismus with exophthalmus and milk production traits in dairy cattle

Bilateral convergent strabismus with exophthalmus (BCSE) is characterized in cattle by a symmetrical antero-medial rotation and protrusion of the eyeballs. This eye defect is caused by an inherited, centrally insufficient function of the eye muscles recti laterales and retractores. In German Brown cattle a monogenic, autosomal dominant inheritance proved to be most probable in complex segregation analysis. In our study running between October 1993 and May 1995 a total of 200 affected German Brown cows was studied. The investigation of the association between milk production traits and BCSE was based on 10,960 German Brown cows. The analysis revealed no significant differences between affected and non-affected cows, nor between cow families with and without affected members. There was no indication of an association between milk production traits and occurrence of BCSE within cow families. Linkage or pleiotropy of the BCSE locus with quantitative trait loci for milk production traits may be rather unlikely.     

Combined use of principal component analysis and random forests identify population‐informative single nucleotide polymorphisms: application in cattle breeds

The genetic identification of the population of origin of individuals, including animals, has several practical applications in forensics, evolution, conservation genetics, breeding and authentication of animal products. Commercial high‐density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping tools that have been recently developed in many species provide information from a large number of polymorphic sites that can be used to identify population‐/breed‐informative markers. In this study, starting from Illumina BovineSNP50 v1 BeadChip array genotyping data available from 3711 cattle of four breeds (2091 Italian Holstein, 738 Italian Brown, 475 Italian Simmental and 407 Marchigiana), principal component analysis (PCA) and random forests (RFs) were combined to identify informative SNP panels useful for cattle breed identification. From a PCA preselected list of 580 SNPs, RFs were computed using ranking methods (Mean Decrease in the Gini Index and Mean Accuracy Decrease) to identify the most informative 48 and 96 SNPs for breed assignment. The out‐of‐bag (OOB) error rate for both ranking methods and SNP densities ranged from 0.0 to 0.1% in the reference population. Application of this approach in a test population (10% of individuals pre‐extracted from the whole data set) achieved 100% of correct assignment with both classifiers. Linkage disequilibrium between selected SNPs was relevant (r² > 0.6) only in few pairs of markers indicating that most of the selected SNPs captured different fractions of variance. Several informative SNPs were in genes/QTL regions that affect or are associated with phenotypes or production traits that might differentiate the investigated breeds. The combination of PCA and RF to perform SNP selection and breed assignment can be easily implemented and is able to identify subsets of informative SNPs useful for population assignment starting from a large number of markers derived by high‐throughput genotyping platforms.     

Genetic and phenotypic parameters for conformation and yield traits in three Swiss dairy cattle breeds

This study presents genetic parameters for conformation traits and their genetic and phenotypic correlations with milk production traits and somatic cell score (SCS) in three Swiss dairy cattle breeds. Data on first lactations from Holstein (67 839), Brown Swiss (173 372) and Red & White breeds (53 784) were available. Analysed conformation traits were stature and heart girth (both in cm), and linear scores of body depth, rump width, dairy character or muscularity, and body condition score (only in Holstein). A sire model, with relationships among sires, was used for all breeds and traits and variance components were estimated using AS‐REML. Heritabilities for stature were high (0.6–0.8), and for the linear type traits ranged from 0.3 to 0.5, for all breeds. Genetic correlations with production traits (milk, fat and protein yield) and SCS differed between the dairy breeds. Most markedly, stronger correlations were found between SCS and some conformation traits in Brown Swiss and Red & White, indicating that a focus on a larger and more ‘dairy’ type in these breeds would lead to increased SCS. Another marked difference was that rump width correlated positively with milk yield traits in Holstein and Red & White, but negative in Brown Swiss. Results indicate that conformation traits generally can be used as predictors for various purposes in dairy cattle breeding, but may require specific adaptation for each breed.     

Bilateral convergent strabismus with exophthalmus (BCSE) in cattle: an overview of clinical signs and genetic traits

Bilateral convergent strabismus with exophthalmus (BCSE) is a heritable eye defect prevalent in many cattle breeds and known worldwide. BCSE shows a progressive course often terminating in complete blindness. The onset of the defect can sometimes be slowly progressing (late in life) and, as the first signs of the defect are frequently not noticed prior to first breeding, prevention cannot be achieved only by exclusion of affected animals from the breeding program. This paper provides an overview of the clinical signs, histopathology and genetics of BCSE, its distribution in different cattle breeds and analyses the association between milk production traits and US Brown Swiss. There were different modes of inheritance proposed for BCSE, but although an autosomal dominant major gene is considered most likely in German Brown cattle, an association with milk production traits could not be found. Comparative molecular genetic approaches could help to characterize the responsible genes for this ocular disease in cattle.     

MET基因多态性与中国荷斯坦牛繁殖和泌乳性状的关联分析

为筛选与中国荷斯坦牛繁殖和泌乳性状相关的遗传标记，本研究从分子水平探究了MET基因单核苷酸多态（single nucleotide polymorphisms，SNPs）与繁殖和泌乳性状的相关性。通过混池测序法在70头无血缘关系的健康中国荷斯坦公牛中扫描目标基因的SNPs，采用竞争性等位基因特异性PCR （kompetitive allele-specific PCR，KASP）对其后代1 160头中国荷斯坦泌乳牛进行部分SNP的基因分型，基于连锁不平衡分析获得双倍型信息，并采用线性模型对SNP及其双倍型与5个繁殖和6个泌乳性状的估计育种值（estimated breeding values，EBV）进行关联分析。随后，针对位于功能区域的SNPs进行生物信息学分析和基因表达量相关性分析，初步探究其潜在的调控机制。本研究在MET基因中共检测到19个SNPs，说明该基因存在丰富的遗传变异；就其中7个SNPs进行了基因分型，分型结果与目标性状的关联分析结果显示，7个SNPs与多个性状存在显著（P<0.05）或极显著（P<0.01）的关联；位于上游调控区的g.51737889T>C位点GG基因型个体的初产日龄、青年牛首末配种间隔、经产牛首末配种间隔、体细胞评分的EBV最低，说明该基因型个体同时具有较好的繁殖性能和泌乳性能；另一个位于上游调控区的g.51736640A>C位点GG基因型个体的初产日龄、青年牛首末配种间隔、经产牛首末配种间隔、体细胞评分的EBV最低，但乳蛋白率、乳脂率的EBV最低，说明该基因型个体繁殖性能较好，但泌乳性能相对较差；此外，位于第6外显子的g.51660569G>A位点TC基因型个体初产日龄的EBV较低，青年牛首末配种间隔、经产牛首末配种间隔、体细胞评分的EBV最低，说明该基因型个体具有较好的繁殖性能。连锁不平衡分析发现，该基因的7个SNPs形成2个单倍型块，其双倍型与目标性状的关联分析进一步表明，单倍型块1中H1H3个体的繁殖性能较好且泌乳性能中等，单倍型块2中H4H4个体的繁殖性能和泌乳性能均较优秀，为两个优势双倍型；此外，H1H3包含g.51660569G>A位点的TC基因型，H4H4为g.51737889T>C、g.51736640A>C两位点GG基因型的组合，其关联分析结果与单个位点的结果一致。基序分析结果表明，g.51737889T>C与g.51736640A>C位点的优势等位基因G可富集到与基因激活、细胞增殖、分化相关的转录因子，且两位点GG基因型的MET基因表达量均最高，其双倍型H4H4表达量也较高，进一步验证了关联分析结果。综上，本研究获得了中国荷斯坦牛MET基因的多态性图谱，并通过关联分析、生物信息学预测及基因表达量分析发现并验证了MET基因与繁殖、泌乳性状的遗传关联，为中国荷斯坦牛高产高效选育提供了可用的遗传标记。     

Single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with thermoregulation in lactating dairy cows exposed to heat stress

Dairy cows with increased rectal temperature experience lower milk yield and fertility. Rectal temperature during heat stress is heritable, so genetic selection for body temperature regulation could reduce effects of heat stress on production. One aim of the study was to validate the relationship between genotype and heat tolerance for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously associated with resistance to heat stress. A second aim was to identify new SNPs associated with heat stress resistance. Thermotolerance was assessed in lactating Holsteins during the summer by measuring rectal temperature (a direct measurement of body temperature regulation; n = 435), respiration rate (an indirect measurement of body temperature regulation, n = 450) and sweating rate (the major evaporative cooling mechanism in cattle, n = 455). The association between genotype and thermotolerance was evaluated for 19 SNPs previously associated with rectal temperature from a genomewide analysis study (GWAS), four SNPs previously associated with change in milk yield during heat stress from GWAS, 2 candidate gene SNPs previously associated with rectal temperature and respiration rate during heat stress (ATPA1A and HSP70A) and 66 SNPs in genes previously shown to be associated with reproduction, production or health traits in Holsteins. For SNPs previously associated with heat tolerance, regions of BTA4, BTA6 and BTA24 were associated with rectal temperature; regions of BTA6 and BTA24 were associated with respiration rate; and regions of BTA5, BTA26 and BTA29 were associated with sweating rate. New SNPs were identified for rectal temperature (n = 12), respiration rate (n = 8) and sweating rate (n = 3) from among those previously associated with production, reproduction or health traits. The SNP that explained the most variation were PGR and ASL for rectal temperature, ACAT2 and HSD17B7 for respiration rate, and ARL6IP1 and SERPINE2 for sweating rate. ARL6IP1 was associated with all three thermotolerance traits. In conclusion, specific genetic markers responsible for genetic variation in thermoregulation during heat stress in Holsteins were identified. These markers may prove useful in genetic selection for heat tolerance in Holstein cattle.     

中国荷斯坦奶牛RPL23A、ACACB基因3个SNPs检测及其与产奶性状的关联分析

旨在开展奶牛群体高乳成分功能基因的验证与筛选,利用微流控芯片自主选育技术分析北京地区母牛群体高乳蛋白、高乳脂基因频率,同时分析基因多态性及其与产奶性状的相关性。本研究对北京地区8个大型奶牛场1 596头中国荷斯坦奶牛RPL23A、ACACB基因的多态性进行了检测,所有个体均为3胎以内的泌乳牛,收集每头牛所有测定日的产奶量、乳脂率、乳蛋白率等数据,同时对3个多态位点不同基因型与产奶性状进行了关联分析。RPL23A基因的SNP位点g.20146771G>A,在第一泌乳期,与产奶量、乳脂量、乳脂率和乳蛋白量均达到极显著关联（P<0.01）,第二泌乳期,g.20146771G>A与5个产奶性状均呈极显著关联（P<0.01）。ACACB基因的SNP位点g.63962768C>T,在第一泌乳期,与产奶量、乳脂量、乳脂率和乳蛋白量均呈极显著关联（P<0.01）,在第二泌乳期,与产奶量、乳脂量、乳脂率和乳蛋白率呈极显著关联（P<0.01）。结果表明,RPL23A、ACACB基因可以作为影响中国荷斯坦奶牛产奶性状的候选基因用于标记辅助选择,以上基因位点可能通过直接或间接的途径影响奶牛的乳脂或乳蛋白性状,对产奶性状起到重要调控作用。本研究为荷斯坦奶牛后续的标记辅助选择奠定了良好基础。     

绵羊体重性状全基因组关联分析

Motivated by mining major candidate genes across Ovine genome, the present study is to perform genome-wide association studies(GWAS) to detect genes associated with body weight traits. Using Illumina OvineSNP50 BeadChip, we performed a GWA study in 329 purebred sheep phenotyped for 6 body weight traits(birth weight, weaning weight, 6-month weight, pre-weaning gain, post-weaning gain, daily weight gain). Statistics and data analysis were based on TASSEL program,mixed linear model and the latest Ovis_aries_v3.1 genome sequence (released October 2012). The results indicated that 10 SNPs consistently reached genome-wise significant level for post-weaning gain and 22 SNPs reached chromosome-wise significant level for other body weight traits. The SNPs were within (MEF2B,RFXANK,et al) or close to some ovine genes, which were thought to be the most important candidate genes associated with body weight traits. The results will contribute to identify candidate genes for ovine body weight traits, and facilitate the potential utilization of genes involved production traits in sheep in future.     

Evaluation of association between polymorphism within the thyroglobulin gene and milk production traits in dairy cattle

In dairy cattle, many studies have reported quantitative trait loci (QTL) on the centromeric end of chromosome 14 that affect milk production traits. One of the candidate genes in this QTL region – thyroglobulin (TG) – was previously found to be significantly associated with marbling in beef cattle. Thus, based on QTL studies in dairy cattle and because of possible effects of this gene on fat metabolism, we investigated the association of TG with milk yield and composition in Holstein dairy cattle. A total of 1279 bulls from the Cooperative Dairy DNA Repository Holstein population were genotyped for a single nucleotide polymorphism in TG used previously in beef cattle studies. Analysis of 29 sire families showed no significant association between TG variants and milk production traits. Within‐sire family analysis suggests that TG is neither the responsible gene nor a genetic marker in association with milk production traits.     

The effect of beta and kappa casein genes on milk yield and milk composition in different percentages of Holstein in crossbred dairy cattle

The objective of this study was to compare the genotype, and composite genotype frequency, and the association between beta and kappa casein genes and milk yield (MY), percentage of fat (%Fat), protein (%Prot), and solids non‐fat (%SNF) between two groups of crossbred Holstein: G1 ≤ 87.5% Holstein = 89 cows and G2 > 87.5% Holstein = 142 cows. Five genotypes of beta casein gene were observed. A1A2 and A1B were the most and rarest frequency, respectively, in both groups. Five genotypes of kappa casein gene were found. The highest and the lowest frequency were AA, and BB and BE, respectively, in both groups. Composite genotype A1A2AA was the most frequent in both groups. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) between two genes was detected. Significant differences of frequencies between both groups of both genes were not found. The association of the genes and the traits was different between G1 and G2. Negative effects on the traits were found in both groups. In addition, the stronger effect of the beta casein gene was observed in most of the traits. The conclusions were that different %Holstein caused different significant effects of these genes. A study of the association of these genes within each percentage of Holstein is strongly recommended.     

荷斯坦奶牛STAT5A基因的SNPs检测及其与产奶性状的关联分析

根据GenBank公布的牛STAT5A基因的2个SNPs（AJ237937和AF079568）的引物序列,采用PCR-SS-CP方法对758头中国荷斯坦奶牛进行了STAT5A基因多态性检测,并将其与5个产奶性状进行了关联分析。在SNP1的9501碱基处发现A→G突变;SNP2中发现2个连锁点突变,即12 440位T→C和12 550位的CCT插入/缺失;方差分析结果表明：SNP1对乳蛋白率有显著影响（P〈0.05）;SNP2对产奶量有极显著影响（P〈0.01）,对乳脂量、乳蛋白量有显著影响（P〈0.05）;单倍型组合对产奶量和乳蛋白量有极显著影响（P〈0.01）,对乳脂量有显著影响（P〈0.05）。多重比较分析表明SNP2的AB基因型的产奶量、乳脂量和乳蛋白量的最小二乘均数极显著（P〈0.01）或显著（P〈0.05）高于基因型AA;而单倍型组合H1H2的产奶量、乳脂量和乳蛋白量的最小二乘均数显著（P〈0.05）或极显著（P〈0.01）高于其它4种单倍型组合;H3H4对产奶量和乳蛋白量的效应极显著高于其它4种单倍型组合（P〈0.01）。结果提示：STAT5A基因可以作为奶牛产奶性状的候选分子遗传标记。     

水牛MFSD2A基因多态性及其与产奶性状的关联分析

【目的】研究水牛主要促进因子超家族成员2a(major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2a,MFSD2A)基因多态性,并筛选与水牛产奶性状相关联的SNP。【方法】采集383头健康水牛血液DNA,利用PCR扩增和Sequenom MassARRAY飞行时间质谱技术对SNP位点进行筛选及基因型检测,并进行遗传多样性、连锁不平衡(LD)和单倍型分析,以及对不同基因型和单倍型与水牛产奶性状进行关联分析。【结果】在水牛MFSD2A基因中检出7个SNPs位点,多态信息含量(PIC)均在0.25~0.40之间,属于中度多态,除g.8290 T＞C位点外,其余位点均处于Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态(P＞0.05);关联分析结果表明,这7个SNPs位点与305 d产奶量均显著关联(P＜0.05),且突变杂合子基因型的305 d产奶量是3种基因型中最低的,g.568 C＞G和g.701 A＞G位点与乳脂率显著关联(P＜0.05),乳脂率从大到小依次为突变纯合子＞野生纯合子＞突变杂合子,g.568 C＞G、g.3326 G＞A、g.8290 T＞C和g.8523 C＞G位点与乳蛋白率显著关联(P＜0.05),7个SNPs位点与乳尿素氮关联均不显著(P＞0.05);连锁不平衡和单倍型分析结果明,g.568 C＞G、g.701 A＞G和g.3203 T＞G位点可组成一个单倍型模块(Block 1),g.8523 C＞G和g.9138 G＞T位点可组成另一个单倍型模块(Block 2)。其中g.568 C＞G和g.701 A＞G、g.568 C＞G和g.3326 G＞A、g.8523 C＞G和g.9138 G＞T位点的r²分别为0.87、0.37和0.48,处于强连锁不平衡状态。Block 1中的H1(CAG)单倍型乳蛋白率显著高于H2(CAT)和H3(GCT)(P＜0.05),Block 2中的D3(GG)单倍型305 d产奶量极显著高于D1(CG)和D2(CT)(P＜0.01)。【结论】筛选出的MFSD2A基因7个SNPs位点与305 d产奶量均显著关联,g.568 C＞G和g.701 A＞G位点与乳脂率显著关联,g.568 C＞G、g.701 A＞G、g.3326 G＞A、g.8290 T＞C和g.8523 C＞G位点与乳蛋白率显著关联,这7个SNPs位点与乳尿素氮均无显著关联。纯合子的基因型在高305 d产奶量和乳脂率的选择上更有优势,H1(CAG)和D3(GG)单倍型是提高水牛305 d产奶量和乳蛋白率的有利单倍型。     

Association of polymorphisms for nuclear receptor coactivator 1 gene with egg production traits in the maternal line of Shaobo hens

1. The objectives of the study were to find polymorphic sites and elucidate the association between SNPs in the nuclear receptor coactivator 1 (NCOA1) gene and reproductive traits. 2. SNPs were detected by PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing. Four SNPs were detected, including T10155007A, T10125838C, G10118492A and G10109315T. Three polymorphisms were associated with total egg production at the age of 300 d and the G10109315T polymorphism was associated with age at first egg. 3. In conclusion, the NCOA1 gene can be used as a molecular marker for reproductive traits in hens.     

PCR-SSCP analysis of leptin gene and its association with milk production traits in river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Leptin gene has been found to be associated with various economic traits including milk production and fat quality in dairy animals. In the present study, we investigated genetic variations in intron 1 region of leptin gene in riverine buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and sequencing methods and associated them with milk traits. The study revealed three SSCP variants A, B and C among a total of 301 buffaloes from nine breeds. The frequency of variant C was found invariably high among all the breeds except in Marathwada buffalo. Variant A was found to be absent in Chilika, Nili-Ravi, Nagpuri and Pandharpuri breeds and also had the lowest frequencies in Mehsana, Jaffarabadi, Murrah and Toda breeds. Sequencing of SSCP variants revealed a total of five polymorphic sites, with three haplotypes. Statistical analysis revealed significantly high fat percentage at 150?days in SSCP variant B in Mehsana buffaloes. However, the associations of SSCP variants of leptin gene with total milk yield, 305?days milk yield and total fat yield were found to be non-significant. The present study is the first report on association analysis of leptin gene polymorphisms with milk production and milk quality traits in river buffalo.