β-Lactoglobulin Gene Polymorphisms in Sheep and Effects on Milk Production Traits: A Review

Abstract

β-lactoglobulin is the main whey protein of milk from different species. To date, β-lactoglobulin gene\r(BLG) is one of the most investigated in ruminants including sheep. β-lactoglobulin was the first protein, in which\rpolymorphism was found. Polymorphisms of BLG gene have been detected in several sheep breeds, but studies on\rthe effects of BLG genetic variants on milk production traits and cheese making ability have given conflicting results.\rTherefore, this paper represents a detailed and updated review on β-lactoglobulin gene polymorphisms in many sheep\rbreeds worldwide. Moreover, the associations among BLG polymorphisms and milk yield and composition as well as\rmilk coagulation properties were reported to offer a complete overview on these topics.