Effects of the DGAT1 K232A polymorphism on milk production traits in Holstein cattle

DGAT1 gene polymorphism in exon 8 AA→GC which converts lysine to alanine at position 232 (K232A) was determined to have significant influence on bovine milk production characteristics like milk yield, protein content, fat content, and fatty acid composition. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of DGAT1 gene polymorphism on dairy production traits [milk yield (kg), fat yield (kg), fat content (%), protein yield (kg) and protein content (%)]. Genotyping of 136 Holstein cows was performed using the ACRS-PCR method. The genotypes frequencies were as follows: homozygous genotype AA (80.88%), heterozygous genotype AK (16.91%) and homozygous genotype KK (2.21%). In the monitored population, allele A had a predominance with a frequency of 89.34% over allele K with a frequency of 10.66%. In the study was observed a statistically significant (P <0.0001) effect of DGAT1 K232A marker genotypes on breeding value variability for milk fat and protein content (%) as well as milk yield (kg) was observed.