Abstract:
Constant improvement of desirable traits is the key to a sustainable animal production and marker-assisted selection is pivotal to achieving this aim. Marker-assisted selection guides farmers by taking advantage of genetic variations within candidate genes that influence production traits in the animals. One of such desirable traits is milk production. ATP-binding cassette sub-family G member 2 (ABCG2) protein is involved in the transport of xenobiotics and other nutrients such as cholesterol from the blood into the milk. Diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT1) plays a crucial role in regulating the rate of synthesis of triacylglycerides in fat cells such as those in the mammary gland. Previous researches have reported association between these genes and milk production traits in cattle. In this study, we examined polymorphisms in the variable regions of these candidate genes in Africa’s White Fulani and Muturu cattle breeds. The results revealed three variants, KK, AK and AA for DGAT1 exon 8. The KK genotype predominates in both breeds with a frequency of 83% and 60% in White Fulani and Muturu, respectively. All sampled animals in both breeds were monomorphic at the ABCG2 exon 14 |
