Association of polymorphism of the β(1, 4)-galactosyltransferase-I gene with milk production traits in Holsteins

The β(1,4)-galactosyltransferase-I gene (β4galt1) encodes the catalytic part of the enzyme lactose synthase, responsible of lactose synthesis in the mammary gland. The complete coding region of the gene was screened for the presence of allelic variation among a sample of 1,200 Iranian Holstein cows, using PCR-SSCP technique followed by sequencing. Nine polymorphic nucleotide sites were identified-one in exons I and VI, two in exons II and III, and three in exon V. Altogether 18 different genotypes were assigned. Statistical analysis showed that the genotypes of Β4GALT1 significantly affect milk, lactose, protein and total solid productions in both the first and second lactation (P < 0.001). Variance component analysis considering restricted maximum likelihood showed that the major factor making differences in milk, lactose, protein and total solid productions among the studied cow is the β4galt1 genotype. We concluded that the β4galt1 gene is potentially associated with milk production traits in dairy cows and should be considered for further studies on genetics of the milk production traits.