CATHL2 gene polymorphism in relation to production traits in Holstein-Friesian cows

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify SNPs mutations in the CATHL2 gene and determine their potential association with dairy performance traits in Polish Black-and-White Holstein-Friesian (phf) cows. Genotypes of individuals were identified by PCR-RFLP. The frequencies of CATHL2/DdeI alleles were C ‒ 0.693 and T ‒ 0.307, and for CATHL2/HhaI polymorphisms, G ‒ 0.763 and C ‒ 0.237. The statistical analysis showed that cows with the CC (CATHL2/DdeI) and CG (CATHL2/HhaI) genotype produced higher milk yield than the other cattle genotypes. In the case of CATHL2/DdeI and CATHL2/HhaI polymorphisms, the highest somatic cell count was found in heterozygous CT and CG cows.