Identification of point mutation in TLR2 gene and its association with mastitis in water buffalo

Mastitis is an economically important disease causing great loss to dairy sector owing to its negative effect on production. Its multi factorial etiology makes it difficult to use prophylactic methods for control. Identification of genetic resistance mechanisms and selection for it is a potential strategy for mastitis control. The present study was done in 101 Murrah buffaloes to find the common causative agents of mastitis in buffaloes, to identify variants in exon 2 and 3 ’UTR of TLR 2 gene and to study their association with intramammary infection. The microbiological examination revealed Staphylococcus aureus to be most common causative organism followed by Streptococcus agalactiae. PCR-RFLP using Sau3AI and HpyCH4V for exon 2 and 3 ’UTR respectively resulted in polymorphic pattern for exon2, while 3 ’UTR resulted in monomorphic pattern. PCR RFLP Sau3AI genotypes of TLR2 exon 2 were found to be highly associated with mastitis resistance. AAgenotype wasfound tobe least susceptible, while ABgenotype wasfound most frequent among affected buffaloes.