LEP and SCD polymorphisms are associated with milk somatic cell count, electrical conductivity and pH values in Holstein cows

Anim Biotechnol. 2020 Dec;31(6):498-503. doi: 10.1080/10495398.2019.1628767. Epub 2019 Jun 23.

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine LEP-Sau3AI, SCD-Fnu4HI, NR1H3-HpyCH4IV and FABP4-HinII gene polymorphisms and to investigate the association between these SNPs and somatic cell count (SCC), electrical conductivity (EC) and pH in Holstein cow milk. LEP-Sau3AI polymorphism found associated with SCC (p < 0.01), EC (p < 0.01) and pH (p < 0.05). LEP-Sau3AI-BB genotype resulted with higher SCC, EC and pH compared to other genotypes. SCD-Fnu4HI polymorphism showed differences in genotypes for EC (p < 0.05) and pH (p ≤ 0.05) traits. While the highest EC value was found in SCD-Fnu4HI-CT genotype, the highest milk pH was found in genotype TT. In addition, NR1H3-HpyCH4IV genotypes was found the only associated with pH (p < 0.05) among all studied phenotypes. Based on the present findings, it was concluded that LEP and SCD genes could be used in breeding programs for improved SCC, EC and pH values in Holstein dairy cows.

Keywords: LEP; SCD; dairy cattle; genetic polymorphism; milk quality traits.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle / genetics*
  • Cattle / physiology
  • Cell Count
  • Dairying
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Lactation / genetics
  • Leptin / genetics*
  • Milk* / cytology
  • Milk* / physiology
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics*
  • Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase / genetics*

Substances

  • Leptin
  • Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase