Relationship Between Lactoferrin Gene Polumorphism and Arabi Ewes Milk Yield and it’s Components

Abstract

Polymorphism analysis of lactoferrin genes and its relationship with milk yield and its components and birth, weaning weight and growth rate before weaning were studied. DNA was extracted from 77 blood samples of Arabi ewes (21 ewes from Animal Farm, College of Agriculture, University of Basrah and 56 ewes from Animal Farm, College of Agriculture, University of Al-Muthana). Lactoferrin genotypes were determined by using Hind III restriction enzyme at Genetic Engineering Laboratory/ College of Agriculture/ University of Basrah and College of Animal Resources/ Mullah Thani University/ Islamic Republic of Iran. Milk yield was measured once a week from 52 ewes belong to Animal Farm/ College of Agriculture/ University of Al-Muthana. Samples were chemically analyzed. Birth and weaning weight were recorded as well as growth rate before weaning during a period of 1/2/2013 to 31/12/2013. Results revealed the following:The possibility of amplifying both genes and get two alleles for each and three genotypes of the lactoferrin gene (AA and AB and BB)lactoferrin A allele frequencies were 0.94 and allele B(0.06) . AA genotypes frequency was 0.52 AB 0.29 and BB 0.19 . population was not at equilibrium for lactoferrin gene Heterozygosity levels were 28.57% for lactoferrin genes respectively and inbreeding coefficients (Fis) were 0.345 . Lactoferrin genotypes significantly affected protein and total solids not fat, as AA genotype exceeded the other genotypes. Fat of AA, AB and BB genotypes were 2.85, 2.23 and 2.63 kg respectively. while values of SNF were 7.24, 5.78 and 7.51 respectively and there was arithmetic increase (not significant) in all traits. Breeding values of lactoferrin AB and BB genotypes exceeded those of AA genotypes of all studied traits .