Detection of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism in the Bovine AGPAT6 Gene Associated with Milk Fat Content using Tetra-Primer ARMS PCR-based Assay in Karan Fries Breeding Bulls

The bovine AGPAT6 gene is one of the potential candidate genes governing milk fat synthesis.

Identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the targeted region of AGPAT6 gene and their effect on expected breeding values (EBV) of first lactation milk production traits viz. fat %, fat yield and 305 days milk yield in Karan Fries (KF) breeding bulls were sought.

A tetra-primer ARMS PCR technique was adapted to genotype an SNP, g.36,175,805C>T located on 5’ flanking region of AGPAT6 gene. The relationship between EBV of milk production traits and polymorphic locus of AGPAT6 gene was assessed.

Three kinds of genotype (CC, CT, and TT) with respect to g.36,175,805C>T SNP locus were observed. The identified SNP had significant (P<0.05) influence on EBV of fat % (EBV-FP). The KF bulls with CC and CT genotype had comparatively higher EBV-FP than the bulls with the TT genotype. The substitution of “C” allele by “T” allele led to a decrease of 0.0045 % in the EBV-FP.

The identified SNP was significantly associated with EBV-FP, thus it may be utilized as a molecular marker for developing marker-assisted selection strategy to enhance the milk fat content in KF cattle population.