Biogenic amines are anti-nutritional nitrogenous bases formed by the action of microbial decarboxylases on free amino acids. They are found widely in varying concentrations in meat and meat products. Public health significance lies in their toxic effects associated with high levels in meat and meat products. Owing to their consistent presence with microbial spoilage they are utilized as quality indicator in terms of spoilage/ freshness of meat and meat products. The reason for the formation of these amines is multi-factorial however the poor quality meat is the most important one, contributing substrate for microbial decarboxylases. Their presence can be analytically determined in the food stuffs by employing various techniques. The key to control biogenic amines is the good manufacturing practices. Many new technologies have also been emerged to reduce the levels of these amines to permissible limits.

Expression of stress genes under thermal stress partially explain the relatively higher thermal adaptability of indigenous breeds compared to exotic breeds of cattle. ATP1A1 gene is one of such gene that encodes for a1 isomer of Na+, K+- ATPase enzyme for Na+- coupled transport of metabolites, nutrients, ions and represents a plausible candidate for heat tolerance traits. Present study was designed to compare SNP variations in ATP1A1 gene and to evaluate their association with respiration rate, rectal temperature and heat tolerance coefficient in Sahiwal (51) and Karan Fries (50) cows maintained at Livestock Research Centre of National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal. Two SNPs (T27008243C and A27008223G) were identified in both the dairy cattle breeds. Association of each SNP genotype was analyzed using Generalized Linear Model procedure in Statistical Analysis System (SAS). Sahiwal cows with TT (15.91±1.89b) at T27008243C locus had lowest RR compared to TC genotypes (18.25±1.77ab) and CC genotype (19.24±1.52a), while in Karan Fries cows RR for AA genotype at A27008223G locus was lower (28.85±1.96b) compared to GG genotype (32.37±2.51a). Thus, the study indicated that the TT genotype at T27008243C locus in Sahiwal and AA genotype at 27008223 locus in Karan Fries cows are desirable genotypes for genetic adaptability under heat stress.

The first lactation production records of 351 Sahiwal cows maintained at National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal over a period of 52 years (1961-2012) were used to estimate the persistency measures using different methods viz. Rao and Sundaresan method, 1982 (P₁), P_TOMAX2 (P₂), P_TOMAX3 (P₃), P_SD2 (P₄), P_SD3 (P₅), P_YV (P₆) and Wood's function (P₇). The average persistency of milk yield estimated by above different methods viz. was 194±1.10, 145.10±0.81, 156.71±1.01, 2.29±0.04, 2.20±0.03, 1.00±0.03 and 0.14±0.02, respectively. The T_OMAX2 method was found to be most efficient out of all ratio methods and P_SD3 method was observed to be most efficient amongst variation of yields method. However, mathematical lactation curve model was found to be least efficient as compared to other methods for estimation of persistency.

Cluster of diffferention-14 (CD14) gene is involved in innate immunity and has been identified as one of the candidate gene for disease resistance. CD14 molecule works as cell surface receptor present on surface of inflammatory cells. Bovine CD14 gene spans over 2630 bp having 2 exons. Present study is based on identification of DNA polymorphism and to analyze the association between CD14 gene variants with incidence of mastitis in Sahiwal cattle. A total of 100 lactating Sahiwal cattle maintained at NDRI, Karnal (Haryana) were included in the present study. PCR-RFLP analysis of contig 4 using HinfI restriction enzyme showed three different genotypic patterns (CC, CD and DD). Remaining contig-enzyme combinations showed monomorphic pattern. Genotypic frequency of CC genotype was found highest (54%). Chi-square (2) analysis revealed that there is significant difference between these genotypes regarding mastitis incidence. CC genotyped animals were found to be less susceptible for mastitis.

One hundred forty–five individuals from two cattle breeds, Kenkatha and Gaolao, in India were studied using 25 fluorescently–labelled microsatellite markers. Genetic diversities within and between populations were studied. A total of 197 and 239 distinct alleles were identified across 25 microsatellite loci in Kenkatha and Gaolao cattle, respectively. Means of observed and expected heterozygosity were found to be 0.47 ± 0.24 and 0.62 ± 0.21 in Kenkatha, and 0.53 ± 0.17 and 0.68 ± 0.14 in Gaolao cattle, respectively. The average PIC (Polymorphic Information Content) value was found to be 0.59 ± 0.21 for Kenkatha and 0.65 ± 0.15 for Gaolao cattle. The mean fixation index (FIS) was 0.2121 for Gaolao and 0.2248 for Kenkatha cattle. Mean FIS, mean FIT and mean FST (F–statistics) values were found to be 0.2318, 0.2487 and 0.0219, respectively. Nei’s standard genetic distance value between Kenkatha and Gaolao breeds was 0.0852. The present study indicates that there is a substantial shortfall, 21.21 % and 22.48 %, of heterozygotes in Gaolao and Kenkatha cattle populations, respectively; and little genetic differentiation (2.19%) between the two breeds.