Polymorphisms in Exon 17 of DGAT1 Gene and Its Association with Milk Production Traits in Mahabadi Goat Breed Using PCR-SSCP

Diacylglycerol transferase is a microsome enzyme that plays an important role in glycerol lipid metabolism. The acyl CoA-diacylglycerol- acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) is considered to be the key enzyme in controlling the synthesis of triglycerides in adipocytes. This enzyme catalyzes the final step of triglyceride synthesis (transform triacylglycerol (DAG) into triacylglycerol (TAG). The present study has been designed to determine polymorphism in exon 17 of DGAT1 gene and their association with milk production traits in Mahabadi goat breed using PCR-SSCP. Blood sample were collected from 79 Mahabadi from research station of Animal Science Department at University of Tehran. DNA was extracted according to optimized salting out method. DNA quality and quantitative was determined with spectrophotometer and 1% agarose gel. A Fragment from exon 17 of DGAT1 gene was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction and SSCP technique was used to analyze polymorphism in this segment of DNA. PCR products were run in 12% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and were stained with silver nitrate. In overall، four SSCP patterns were observed with frequency of 0. 25 (1)، 0. 24 (2)، 0. 06 (3) and 0. 45 (4)، respectively. The findings showed that DGAT1 gene had significant effect on milk production (P<0. 01) and fat percent (P<0. 05). Comparison of LS means showed that pattern 3 had the most effect on milk production (P<0/01) whereas pattern 1 was more effective on fat percentage (P<0/05). Polymorphism of DGAT1 gene and its relationship with milk trait indicated that it probably can be useful in marker assisted selection and breeding programs.