Polymorphism Analysis of DGAT1 Gene and Novel Association Studies with Milk Production Traits in Domestic Dromedary Camel in India

Several polymorphisms related to different gene loci have been proven to affect milk production traits and milk composition in camel. The current investigation was carried out in order to determine the genetic polymorphism of the DGAT1 gene and its association with milk production traits in camels. The SNP analysis focused on a 773 bp long fragment of the DGAT1 gene that was amplified using specific primer pairs through PCR. The Novel dromedary sequencing results revealed partial exon-6,10; complete exon-7, 8, and 9 as well as complete intron-6, 7, 8, and 9 in the 773 bp DNA fragment. A single nucleotide variation was identified at position 463 C>T of exon-8 in both Bikaneri and Kachchhi breeds. Association studies of genotypes of DGAT1 gene (CC and CT) with milk production and composition traits were examined using GLM in SPSS. The effect of breed on lactation yield and lactation length was found non-significant (P>0.05) and the effect of breed on peak yield was found highly significant (P≤0.01) and on average daily milk yield was found significant (P≤0.05). Effect of genotype, year of calving, age of calving and parity on lactation length, lactation yield, peak yield and average daily milk yield were found non-significant (P>0.05).