Identification of the polymorphism of the APAF1 gene and its association with economically useful traits of Holstein cattle

A decrease in the reproductive ability of cows leads to losses in dairy farming, as dairy production decreases due to the lack of a lactation period in cows. Haplotype HH1 is responsible for a mutation in the protein apoptotic protease-activating factor 1 (APAF1), as a result of which its structure is shortened, resulting in a decrease in fertility, an increase in the number of embryonic mortality and abortions in Holstein dairy cattle. To study the polymorphism of the APAF1 gene (SNP p.Q579X [c.1741C>T]) and its associations with economically traits, we used data and DNA from 254 cows of Holstein population of indigenous selection of Breeding Farm Integrated Agricultural Production Center of the Republic of Tatarstan. As a result, 2 alleles (Q and X) and 2 genotypes (QQ and QX) were identified in the APAF1 – BstC8 I gene locus in cattle. It was established that the dominant population is represented by carriers of the homozygous QQ genotype of the APAF1 gene - 98.0 %, and the frequency of the Q allele reached 0.990. The percentage of QX-type animals is minimal - 2.0 % of the total number of cows subjected to the study, as a result of which the occurrence of the X allele was only 0.010. An assessment of the influence of APAF1 gene polymorphism on economically significant traits showed that, depending on the genotype, such reproduction traits as the age of the first fertile insemination, the duration of the dry period and the Doha fertility index vary statistically significantly. Analysis of dairy productivity traits that cows with the QQ genotype are significantly superior to individuals with the QX genotype in all compared positions, with the exception of the content of the mass fraction of fat. Through selection using genetic marking, damage to livestock farms can be reduced by reducing the frequency of carriers of lethal alleles in the parent generation. This research was supported by FASO Russia project, registration number 122011800138-7.

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