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

In this study, we investigated the genetic variation within 3'UTR of Mammary-Derived Growth Inhibitor (MDGI) gene of buffalo using PCR-SSCP and sequencing; and also analyzed association of polymorphism with the milk production traits. The study revealed two conformational patterns, 'A' and 'B' among 234 Mehsana buffaloes maintained with their records in the field and at farm. The frequency of SSCP variant 'A' was found to be invariably high in the buffalo population under study. Further, association analysis of SSCP variants with various milk production and milk quality traits indicated no significant effect on any of the traits investigated. Sequencing of SSCP variant 'A' showed homozygous G/G and A/A and 'B' had heterozygous G/C and A/G at positions + 124 and + 140 respectively, in the 3'UTR of buffalo MDGI. The preliminary results showed the substantial variations in the distribution of SSCP variants' frequencies within Mehsana buffaloes, however these variants had non-significant association with milk yield, fat yield and fat percentage in Mehsana buffaloes.