Polymorphism of the kappa casein (CSN3) gene and its relation to milk productivity in samples of Holstein and Red steppe cows

The state programs for the development of animal husbandry aim not only to increase the dairy productivity of cows, but also to improve the quality of milk. The development of molecular genetics of farm animals has created conditions for the search for key genes, the polymorphism of which makes a significant contribution to solving the problems of practical breeding. Among the many genes that determine milk productivity and milk quality, a group of genes can be identified that make the greatest contribution to the formation and functioning of this quantitative trait. These primarily include the kappa-casein (CSN3) gene. The aim of the work was to establish the polymorphism of the kappa-casein gene in Holstein and Red steppe cows and to identify the relationship between the genotypes and the dairy productivity of animals. The object of the study was cows of two breeds: Holstein (n = 60) and Red steppe (n = 53). Animal genotyping was performed by PCR- RFLP. It was found that the heterozygous CSN3B genotype was the most common CSN3 gene in the group of Holstein cows – 46.7 %, while the homozygous CSN3AA genotype was the most common in the group of red steppe cows – 62.3 %, and the frequency of occurrence of the desired homozygous CSN3B variant was the lowest, amounting to 10.0 and 5.7 %, respectively. The best milk yield results (8810.0 kg of milk) were observed in Holstein cows carrying homozygous CSN3B genotype. In the sample of cows of the red steppe breed, the milk yield advantage was found in animals carrying homozygous CSN3AA genotype – 4200.0 kg of milk. Consequently, research shows that understanding how different genetic variants of marker genes affect milk productivity and quality will further allow us to form long-term strategies for both an individual farm and the industry as a whole.

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