Associations between osteopontin gene polymorphism (OPN), milk yield, somatic cell score and age of cattle on milk antioxidant capacity

Abstract

Selection of cows based on the antioxidant capacity and chemical composition of their milk has a social dimension and can be considered a contribution towards the mitigation of diseases of affluence. This study addressed the hypothesis that greater antioxidant capacity of milk is not always associated with health-promoting properties. It was demonstrated that the milk's antioxidant capacity varied to a significant extent according to the cow's age, daily milk yield and somatic cell score, and that the total antioxidant capacity increased in proportion to the somatic cell score. This study is also the first to investigate the effects of polymorphism of the osteopontin gene on the antioxidant capacity of milk. The osteopontin genotype was associated, to a significant extent, with the percentage of protein in milk, and therefore this gene can be considered a marker of the technological usefulness of milk.