DGAT1 polymorphism in Egyptian Zaraibi goat breed and their association with milk yield and composition

Abstract

BackgroundThe triacylglycerols in milk fat determine the physical and functional properties of dairy products rich in milk fat. Therefore, understanding the variability of genes related to fat synthesis is important for food production. We investigated the effect of diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) gene polymorphism on milk production parameters of the Zaraibi goat. Milk components were estimated by infrared spectroscopy. Moreover, Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLP) were used to detect genetic variants in DGAT1 genes. The amplified products were sequenced and aligned to the caprine reference sequence of this gene.ResultsTwo alleles (T and C) were identified in Zaraibi goats. The T allele resulted in one silent mutation while the C allele specified two-point mutations: one was located within a non-coding region (T703C) and the other (T713C) causing a Ile → Thr substitution in the deduced amino acid sequence. Moreover, the DGAT1 polymorphism significantly (p < 0.05) affected total solid content of milk, wherein harboring CC genotype had significantly higher amount of total solid than those with TC genotype. Milk contents and yields did not differ significantly between goats with CC and TC genotype.ConclusionThese results advance our understanding of the genetic architecture of Zaraibi milk composition and will help to improve the management and breeding program of the Egyptian dairy goat.Graphical