Bovine CD14 gene polymorphism and its association with milk yield, milk constituents and somatic cell count in holstein friesian crossbred and gir cows

The present study was undertaken to explore polymorphism of the CD14 gene and its association with milk yield, fat, protein, SNF % and somatic cell count (SCC) (lakhs/ml) in Gir and Holstein Friesian (HF) crossbred cattle. A total of 80 cows comprising 40 each of Gir and HF crossbreds were included in the study. Genomic DNA isolation, quantification, standardization of PCR protocol and restriction digestion of PCR product using enzyme HinfI were done as per standard methodologies. Data on the lactation yield were collected from the history sheets and records maintained at the farms. Fat, Protein and SNF % were determined by milk analyzer. Somatic Cell Count in the milk was performed using microscope. The RFLP pattern yielded three genotypic variants viz., CC, CD and DD with their respective frequencies of 0.425, 0.400 and 0.175 in Gir and 0.200, 0.425 and 0.375 in Crossbreds. The effect of breed on lactation yield was significant (P <0.01); while the effect of the CD14 genotype was non-significant. For Fat% the effects of breed (P < 0.01) and genotype (P < 0.05) were significant; Mean milk protein% and SNF% were significantly higher for cows possessing CD14 genotype CC in comparison to the cows of genotype CD and DD. For SCC, effect of breed (P < 0.05) and genotype (P < 0.01) were both significant. It could be concluded from the present study that the DD genotype was the favoured genotype for milk yield, CC for milk fat % Protein %, SNF% and SCC.