Polymorphisms in genes encoding kappa casein milk protein in dairy cattle

Abstract

Background and Objective: Polymorphisms of kappa-casein protein genes are closely related to the quality of milk production and composition. The purpose of the study was to investigate polymorphisms in genes encoding kappa-casein (6-casein) milk protein produced by the dairy cattle of KP4/PIAT UGM Yogyakarta and BBPTU-HPT Baturraden. Materials and Methods: Twenty-three cattle were used to investigate kappa-casein polymorphisms in dairy cows from two different animal farms. Nine cattle were distributed from BBPTU-HPT Baturraden, Central Java and 14 cattle were allocated from KP4/PIAT UGM Yogyakarta. The research procedures included blood sampling, DNA extractions and DNA amplification using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Kappa-casein gene PCR products were analyzed by using the PCR-RFLP technique with restriction enzymes Hinf I and Hind III. Results: The results of restriction digestion using the Hinf I showed four restriction fragments in the blood sample from BPPTU-HPT Baturraden and three restriction fragments from KP4/PIAT UGM Yogyakarta. The digestion of PCR product using Hind III produced one restriction fragment in the blood samples from KP4/PIAT UGM Yogyakarta and 4 fragments in the samples from BPPTU-HPT Baturraden. Conclusion: The dairy cattle of BPPTU Baturraden offer a more favorable genetic selection of animals for milk production and industry due to their genetic variants in terms of genotypes and alleles.