Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LXVIII, Issue 1
Written by Viorica COSIER, Daniel INCICÄU, Lucas COSIER, Mariana TÄTARU, Alexandru RUSU, Monica TRIF, CÄlin LATIU
Improving milk yield and milk composition are objectives of interest in the selective breeding of animals. Milk fatty acids and proteins are important in the manufacturing of many buffalo dairy products, the best-known being mozzarella cheese. DGAT1 is part of the DGAT gene family (diacylglycerol acyltransferases) that codify key enzymes involved in the final step of triacylglycerol biosynthesis in various tissues and milk. In many cattle breeds the non-synonymous polymorphism K232A, from the 8th exon of the DGAT1 is a genetic marker, with major effects on milk yield and composition. In river buffaloes, the presence of the fixed K allele strongly indicates an increase in milk fat content as a result of selection. To date, only a few polymorphisms from the buffalo DGAT1 gene have been associated with milk composition. This study aims to test the associations between the synonymous polymorphism c.1053C>T from the 13th exon of the buffalo DGAT1 gene with milk qualitative parameters (fat percentage, protein percentage, and lactose content) in the Romanian buffalo breed. The properties of 200 milk samples were analysed using a mixed-effect model applied to longitudinal data spanning four seasons. Results indicated that the season had a significant impact (p < 0.001) on the fat and protein percentage, as well as lactose content in the milk. Additionally, a noteworthy association (p < 0.001) was observed between buffalo age and fat percentage. However, no significant association was found between genotype and milk quality.
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