scholarly journals PRODUCTIVE QUALITIES OF ANIMALS OF DIFFERENT BREEDS OF CATTLE

2018 ◽  
Vol 51 ◽  
pp. 160-169
Author(s):  
V. V. Fedorovych ◽  
E. I. Fedorovych ◽  
N. P. Babik ◽  
R. S. Oseredchuk
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Meat Quality ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Fat Content ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
Carcass Yield ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Western Ukraine

Increasing the number and improving the quality of milk and meat are the main goal and main focus of cattle breeding. The purpose of our research was to study milk and meat productivity of animals of different breeds which are bred in Western Ukraine. The researches were conducted at eight farms in Western Ukraine with cows and bulls of Ukrainian Black-and-White Dairy, Ukrainian Red-and-White Dairy Red, Ayrshire, Red Polish, Simmental, Carpathian Brown, Limousin and Volyn Beef breeds. Evaluation of milk production of cows of dairy and dual-purpose breeds (yield, fat content in milk, the amount of milk fat) was carried out according to the data of zootechnical accounting (during the past 20 years) for the I, II, III, IV, V and the best lactation. The chemical composition of milk was determined in 2-3 months of lactation period in cows of full-age (the III lactation) for each breed using milk analyzer "EKOMILK TOTAL". Researches of meat quality were conducted based on a control slaughter of 3 bulls at the age of 15 months for each breed. Live weight before slaughter was determined after a 24-hour hunger exposure. Weight of pair carcasses, internal fat weight, slaughter weight, carcass yield, the output of internal fat, and slaughter output were determined after slaughter by G. T. Shkuryn method. Weights of flesh, bones and tendons were determined in the semi-carcasses. Ratio of meatiness, calculated as the ratio of flesh to bones and tendons, and muscle-bone ratio, calculated by dividing flesh weight to weight of bones, were determined to assess meat quality. Average sample of mincemeat from three ribs cuts was selected for the chemical analysis. The samples were tested on contents of moisture, dry matter and ash by conventional techniques, of protein content – by Kjeldahl method, fat content – by Soxhlet method. The results of the researches were processed by method of variational statistics using Microsoft Excel and "Statistica 6.1" by N. A. Plohynskiy. It was established that cows of the studied breeds differed in terms of milk production; it is primarily due to the fact that some of them belong to the specialized breeds, others – to local (less productive). However, all of them by milk yield, fat content in milk and the butterfat number prevailed relevant standards of these breeds (exception – fat content in milk during the first lactation of the Ayrshire cows). Highest milk yield was observed during the third lactation at the most animals of the studied breeds and only for Ukrainian Red-and-White Dairy and Simmental breeds – during the fourth lactation. Milk yield of Ukrainian Black-and-White Dairy cattle, depending on lactation was within 3970.9-4537.9 kg, fat content in milk – within 3.67-3.71% and the number of milk fat – within 149.5 -168.0 kg; Ukrainian Red-and-White Dairy – in accordance within 3503.0-4471.8; 3.76-3.78 and 132.4-168.6; Red Polish – within 2838.4-3698.4; 3.70-3.73 and 107.9-138.6; Ayrshire – within 4034.3-4337.0; 4.0-4.12 and 165.4-181.7; Simmental – within 3026.4-3810.2; 3.76-3.81 and 113.6-145.0 and Carpathian Brown breed – within 2700.5-3384.4 kg; 3.69-3.85% and 99.8-125.9 kg. The results of the control slaughter indicated that the bulls of the studied breeds differed in slaughter qualities and morphological composition of carcasses. The Ukrainian Red-and-White Dairy bulls among dairy breeds were characterized by the highest slaughter output (55.2%) and carcass yield (56.7%), the Simmental bulls (58.1 and 59.7% respectively) – among the dual-purpose breeds, and the Limousins (63.2 and 61.4%) – among the beef breeds. The highest percentage of flesh was observed at the semi-carcasses of these animals. Higher contents of protein and fat in meat of the Polish Red bulls were observed among the dairy breeds and in meat of the Simmentals – among the dual-purpose ones. Higher protein content was in meat of the Limousins among the beef breeds and fat content – at the animals of Volyn Beef breed. Ratio of meatiness at the animals of the dairy breeds was within 3.18-3.27, muscle-bone ratio – within 3.83-4.00, these figures were 3,38-3,51 and 4,15-4,33 respectively at the bulls of the dual-purpose breeds, and for the beef breeds – 6,42-6,78 and 6,26-6,59.

THE BLACK-AND-WHITE CATTLE BREEDING RESULTS WHEN USING THE POTENTIAL OF HOLSTEIN BREED

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (86) ◽  
pp. 107-114
Author(s):  
А.I. Shendakov ◽  
◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Fat Content ◽  
Mothers And Daughters ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Holstein Breed ◽  
Long Period ◽  
Productive Traits ◽  
Positive Correlations

The share of genes of Holstein breed was 76.8% in the herd. It was found that during the research period, the normal distributions of milk productivity traits were observed in the herd. The number of cows in the herd decreased, but their breeding qualities increased. The main reason for which animals were culled from the herd was their gynecological diseases (in some years, up to 175 to 188 heads were culled). The protein content in milk varied from 2.90 to 3.39%. Most cows produced milk in which the protein content was at a level of 3.00 to 3.19%. The herd showed positive correlations between the yields of mothers and daughters for the 305-day-long period: 0.234 for the whole herd, 0.517 for the group of cows with 50% of Holstein breed (HF) genes, 0.098 for the group with 51-75% of HF genes, and 0,189 for the group with minimum 76% of HF genes. For the herd, the heritability coefficient for milk yield for the 305- day-long period (h2) was 0.468. The percent of the protein content in milk produced by cows with 50% of Holstein genes had a high heritability coefficient of 0.668. Only cows of the M. Chieftain line showed positive correlations between the fat content in milk produced by mothers and daughters, and positive correlations between the protein content in milk produced by cows of the W. B. Ideal and M. Chieftain lines was found. With an increase in percent of Holstein breed genes (HF) from 25 to 75% and more, there were no significant differences in milk yield among first-calf cows (they amounted to 5,424 ± 83 – 5,520 ± 116 kg of milk). The percentage of fat and protein in milk for the whole herd was positively interconnected (r = + 0.460). On average, daughters exceeded their mothers by 23.3% in terms of milk yield and by 2.0% in terms of the percentage of fat content in milk (of the trait value). The quantity of milk fat and protein increased by 25.8 and 22.5%, respectively. Based on the research results, it has been concluded that the Holstein breed has a positive effect on the productive traits of dairy cattle, but technology optimization is required to continue selection activities.

Milk productivity of cows of different ages under the conditions of the dairy complex «Ryzhovo»

2020 ◽  
pp. 3-13
Author(s):  
G. Rodionov ◽  
N. Kostomakhin ◽  
L. Tabakova ◽  
G. Tabakov ◽  
A. Olesyuk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Somatic Cells ◽  
Fat Content ◽  
Milk Productivity ◽  
Black And White ◽  
White Breed ◽  
Breeding Mode ◽  
Favorable Conditions

When production of milk in industrial volumes it is necessary to monitor all processes aff ecting its quantity and quality: animal feeding, breeding, mode and method of milking, herd reproduction, labour organization in the dairy complex, creating favorable conditions for cows that correspond to physiological characteristics. The dairy industry continues to impose higher and higher demands on milk, so in addition to improving the milk productivity of cows, we must not forget about the quality of the product. The issues of milk yield of cows, fat and protein, yield of milk fat and protein, somatic cells in milk of cows of Black-and-White breed for a number of lactations in terms of the dairy complex “Ryzhovo” have been considered in the article. It has been noted be researches that in the 1st and 2nd lactations milk yield of animals was 10 621 and 10 553 kg, respectively. The highest productivity of the cows has reached in the 3rd and 4th lactations 11 365 and 11 655 kg, respectively, after which, in the 5th lactation there was a decrease in milk yield to 10 592 kg. When considering fat content for diff erent lactations, positive dynamics up to the 4th lactation inclusive has been revealed. Thus, the fat content in milk for the 1st lactation was 3,61 %, for 2nd – 3,68 %, for 3rd – 3,93 % and 4th – 4,00 %. In the 5th lactation fat content decreased to 3,78 %. It has been found when calculating the yield of milk fat in experimental cows for lactation that up to the 4th lactation inclusive the indicator increases: for the 1st lactation received 383 kg of milk fat, 2nd – 388 kg, 3rd – 447 kg, 4th – 466 kg, and for the 5th lactation, the decrease in the index to 400 kg. At the same time the yield of milk fat for the 5th lactation exceeds the 1st and 2nd. The protein content in the milk of cows of diff erent ages during the fi rst four lactations increases from 3,18 to 3,43 %. Then, in the 5th lactation there is the decrease in protein content to 3,35 %, however, this fi gure is second only to the highest the 4th lactation. It has been established that before the 3rd lactation the number of somatic cells in milk increases, then in the 4th lactation this indicator decreases (151,25 thousand/cm3 ) and in the 5th lactation reaches a maximum (242,27 thousand/cm3).

Milk productivity of the cows of Holstein and Simmental breeds in environment of the Novosibirsk region

2020 ◽  
pp. 41-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Zheltikov ◽  
N. Kostomakhin ◽  
D. Adushinov ◽  
O. Zaiko ◽  
V. Dementev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Fat Content ◽  
Milk Productivity ◽  
Holstein Breed ◽  
Novosibirsk Region ◽  
Daily Milk Yield

The characteristic of milk productivity of cows of Holstein and Simmental breeds in LLC “Sibirskaya Niva” in the Maslyaninsky district in the Novosibirsk region has been given. It has been revealed that under the natural and climatic environments of the Western Siberia, when creating favorable conditions for feeding and housing for cows of Holstein and Simmental breeds have sufficiently high milk productivity. It has been found that Holstein first-calf heifers surpassed their Simmental herdmates by 959 kg in milk yield for the first 305 days of lactation under the same conditions of housing and feeding, by 3,1 kg in daily milk yield, by 38,2 kg in milk fat yield, and by 28,3 kg in milk protein yield (P < 0,001). There were no statistically significant differences between animals of Holstein and Simmental breeds in terms of fat and protein content in milk, which amounted to 3,94 and 2,96 % in Holstein breed and 3,97 and 2,98 % in Simmental breed, respectively. Both breeds have shown high milk productivity during the first 3 lactations. Thus, the milk yield of Holstein cows for the first 3 lactation was 6475–9290 kg, Simmental cows it was 5516–7680 kg, fat content was 3,93–3,99 and 3,96–3,97 %, respectively. The protein content in the milk of cows of both breeds did not exceed 3,0 %. High variability has been found in milk yield, yield of milk fat and protein, the coefficient of milk content and duration of lactation, the lowest in the content of protein and fat in milk and live weight. The correlation coefficients between the fat and protein content in milk were generally positive, but did not exceed 0,28. Therefore, breeding in the herd of cows in LLC “Sibirskaya Niva” have to be conducted not only by fat content, but also by protein content in milk.

An association analysis between PRL genotype and milk production traits in Italian Mediterranean river buffalo

2017 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 430-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Li ◽  
Aixin Liang ◽  
Zipeng Li ◽  
Chao Du ◽  
Guohua Hua ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Fat Content ◽  
Phenotypic Variance ◽  
River Buffalo ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Milk Production Traits ◽  
Exon 2 ◽  
Mediterranean River

This Research Communication describes the association between genetic variation within the prolactin (PRL) gene and the milk production traits of Italian Mediterranean river buffalo (Bufala mediterranea Italiana). High resolution melting (HRM) techniques were developed for genotyping 465 buffaloes. The association of genetic polymorphism with milk production traits was performed and subsequently the effects of parity and calving season were evaluated. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified at exons 2 and 5 and at introns 1 and 2. All the SNPs were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, and statistical analysis showed that the polymorphism of intron1 was significantly (P < 0·05) associated with milk yield, milk protein content and peak milk yield. The average contribution of the intron1 genotype (r2intron1) to total phenotypic variance in milk production traits was 0·09, and the TT genotype showed lower values than CC and CT genotypes. A nonsynonymous SNP was identified in exon 2, which resulted in an amino acid change from arginine to cysteine. Moreover, the polymorphism of exon 2 was associated significantly with milk fat content (P < 0·05), and the buffaloes with TT genotype showed higher total fat content than the buffaloes with CT genotype. These findings provide evidence that polymorphisms of the buffalo PRL gene are associated with milk production traits and PRL can be used as a candidate gene for marker-assisted selection in Italian Mediterranean river buffalo breeding.

Effect of intravenous supplements of L-methionine on milk yield and composition in cows given silage-cereal diets

1982 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
David G. Chamberlain ◽  
Phillip C. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Fat Content

SUMMARYEight cows in mid lactation and receiving a diet of perennial ryegrass silage and barley (70:30 on a DM basis) were given intravenous supplements of l-methionine (8 g/d). The methionine treatment had no significant effect on milk yield, protein content or lactose content, but increased milk fat content and yield by approximately 10% (P < 0·05).

scholarly journals Production performances of cows of different origin and housing method

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 417-426
Author(s):  
Dragan Niksic ◽  
Vlada Pantelic ◽  
Dusica Ostojic-Andric ◽  
Predrag Perisic ◽  
Ljiljana Samolovac ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Fat Content ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Agricultural Producers ◽  
Rearing Method ◽  
Performance Traits ◽  
Farming Households

In order to examine the variability of production performance traits (lactation duration, milk yield for the whole lactation, milk yield in standard lactation, milk fat content, milk fat yield in standard lactation, protein content and yield in standard lactation), 954 cows, domestic and imported Simmental populations, were included in the study, with a total of 3641 completed lactations. Cows were located in the area of Toplica district, reared on individual farming households (tied system) and on the farm with intensive farming (free system). Based on the rearing method and origin, animals were divided into four groups: Group 1 (domestic animals reared by individual agricultural producers on individual farming households); Group 2 (imported animals reared by individual agricultural producers on individual farming households); Group 3 (domestic animals reared on the farm) and Group 4 (imported animals reared on the farm). The fourth group of studied cows showed the highest yield and protein content, while the cows of the third group had the longest lactation and the highest milk fat content. All production performance traits varied highly significantly (p?0.001) under the influence of the combined factor of housing/rearing method and origin.

scholarly journals Characteristics of the productive-economic indicators of cows of Yaroslavl breed of different genotypes

2020 ◽  
pp. 43-52
Author(s):  
N. Kosyachenko ◽  
Marina Abramova ◽  
M. Lapina
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Holstein Breed ◽  
Blood Fraction ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract. Aim. The study of the influence of crossbriding on the growth and development of heifers and subsequent productive and reproductive qualities of cows on the first lactation. Methods. Using statistical methods, correlation analysis and ANOVA for evaluated genetic indicators of economic-valuable traits of dairy cattle. In particular was studied live weight of heifers from birth to 18 months, first insemination age and first fecundation age, live weight at fecundation, frequency of insemination, first calving age, days open, live weight at first lactation, milk yield for 305 days (kg), fat (%, kg) and protein (%, kg) in milk. Results. Relationship between productive indicators and the genotype of the animal is established. When assessing the strength of the influence of the factor «blood on the Holstein breed» it was found that the greatest impact can be traced at the age of 6 and 18 months, and is respectively 12.7 % and 17.1 %.The reproductive qualities of the first-calf cows decreased with the increase percent of blood in the Holstein breed. Evaluation of the impact of crossbreeding on milk production at first lactation has revealed significant strong influence on milk yield for 305 days of first lactation, and related signs the amount of milk fat and protein. According to qualitative indicators, the low influence of the Holstein blood fraction was found, while to a greater extent on the fat content than on the protein content in milk. Evaluation of phenotypic and genotypic correlations of milk yield and quality components of milk revealed average negative phenotypic and low negative genotypic correlation in all groups. The exception was in heifers of Yaroslavl breed with percent of Holstein blood less than 50 %, in which the relationship of yield x protein was positive. The relationship between milk yield and fat and protein content in milk has the opposite moderate character and strength. Practical significance. Studies was established that breeding of animals of Holstein and Yaroslavl breeds in one herd allows to receive an optimum ratio of milk production with optimal percentage fat and protein. For this herd among animals of the improved genotypes of the Yaroslavl breed, the use of genotypes with a percent of blood in the Holstein breed from 75.1 % to 87.6 % is optimal, which should be taken into account when selecting bulls to the breeding program.

scholarly journals The chemical composition and technological properties of milk obtained from the morning and evening milking

2008 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 187-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Skýpala ◽  
Gustav Chládek
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Protein Production ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Fat Content ◽  
Total Solids ◽  
Milk Protein Content ◽  
Solids Content ◽  
Morning Milk

Milk yield varies during lactation, following what is termed a lactation curve. ŽIŽLAVSKÝ and MIKŠÍK (1988) recorded changes in milk yield within a day, too. TEPLÝ et al. (1979) a KOUŘIMSKÁ et al. (2007) published variation within a day ± 1.10 kg in milk yield, ± 0.75 % in milk fat content and ± 0.20 % in milk protein content. Milk yield of cows can be expressed in many different ways, for instance, in kilograms per lactation or in kilograms per day. A practical parameter describing milk production is milk yield (kg) per milking.The object of experiment were 12 cows of Holstein cattle on the first lactation from the 100-day of lactation to 200-day of lactation. The samples of milk were collected from January to May 2007, once a month from the morning and evening milking (milking interval 12 h ± 15 min.). The following parameters were monitored: milk production – milk yield (kg), milk protein production (kg), milk fat production (kg); milk composition – milk protein content (%), milk fat content (%), lactose content (%), milk solids-not-fat content (%), milk total solids content (%); technological properties of milk – ti­tra­tab­le acidity (SH), active acidity (pH), rennet coagulation time (s), quality of curd (class) and somatic cell count as a parameter of udder health.Highly significant differences were found (P < 0.01) between morning milk yield (15.7 kg) and evening milk yield (13.8 kg), between morning milk protein production (0.51 kg) and evening milk protein production (0.45 kg) and between evening milk fat content (4.41 %) and morning milk fat content (3.95 %). A significant difference (P < 0.05) was found between morning milk total solids content (12.62 %) and evening milk total solids content (12.07 %). No significant differences were found between morning (M) and evening (E) values of the remaining parameters: milk fat production (M 0.62 kg; E 0.60 kg), milk protein content (M 3.24 %; E 3.27 %), milk lactose content (M 4.78 %; E 4.86 %), milk solids-not-fat content (M 7.69 %; E 7.71 %), somatic cell count (M 80 000/1 mL; E 101 000/1 mL), titratable aci­di­ty (M 7.75 SH; E 7.64 SH), active acidity (M pH 6.58; E pH 6.61), rennet coagulation time (M 189 s.; E 191 s.), quality of curd (M 1.60 class; E 1.57 class).

MILK PRODUCTIVITY OF BLACK-AND-WHITE CATTLE WITH DIFFERENT GENOTYPES OF PROLACTIN AND SOMATOTROPIN

2021 ◽  
pp. 21-25
Author(s):  
Л.Р. ЗАГИДУЛЛИН ◽  
Р.Р. ШАЙДУЛЛИН ◽  
Т.М. АХМЕТОВ ◽  
С.В. ТЮЛЬКИН ◽  
А.Б. МОСКВИЧЕВА
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Milk Productivity ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Gh Gene ◽  
White Cattle ◽  
Fat Yield ◽  
Prl Gene

Изучена взаимосвязь аллельных вариантов генов пролактина и соматотропина с показателями молочной продуктивности коров черно-пестрой породы по 1 и 3 лактации. У первотелок, как и у полновозрастных животных,  наиболее высокий удой (4642 и 6240 кг), количество молочного жира (174,1 и 215,0 кг) и молочного белка (149,0 и 182,5 кг) достигнуты в группе с генотипом PRL АА. По массовой доле жира и белка в молоке коровы с генотипом PRL ВВ достоверно превосходили животных с генотипом PRL АА на 0,12% (Р<0,05) и 0,05% (Р<0,05) соответственно. По гену соматотропина наибольший уровень молочной продуктивности выявлен у коров с генотипом GH LL при достоверном преимуществе над GH VV у первотелок по удою на 439 кг (Р<0,01), выходу молочного жира — на 13,6 кг (Р<0,001), выходу молочного белка — на 15,3 кг (Р<0,01). У полновозрастных коров превышение над остальными группами было только по удою — на 219—548 кг (Р<0,05). Наибольшая жирномолочность характерна животным с генотипом GH VV по 1 лактации — 3,83% и по 3 лактации — 3,82%, а лучшая белковомолочность — коровам, имеющим аллель V гена GH:  3,21 и 3,23% соответственно. Полученные данные свидетельствуют о более высоком уровне молочной продуктивности у коров с генотипом PRL АА и GH LL, но лучшая жирномолочность и белковомолочность отмечены у особей, имеющих в своем генотипе аллели В гена PRL и V гена GH. The interrelation of allelic variants of prolactin and somatotropin genes with indicators of milk productivity of black-and-white cows for the 1st and 3rd lactation was studied. The highest milk yield (4642 and 6240 kg) amount of milk fat (174.1 and 215.0 kg) and milk protein (149.0 and 182.5 kg) were in the group with the PRL AA genotype in first-calf heifers as well as in full-age animals. In terms of the mass fraction of fat and protein of milk, the cows with the PRL BB genotype significantly exceeded animals with the PRL AA genotype by 0.12% (P<0.05) and 0.05% (P<0.05), respectively. According to the somatotropin gene, the highest level of milk productivity was revealed in cows with the GH LL genotype with a significant advantage over GH VV in first-calf heifers in milk yield by 439 kg (P<0.01), milk fat yield by 13.6 kg (P<0.001), milk protein yield by 15.3 kg (P<0.01). The excess over the other groups in full-age cows was only in terms of milk yield that was by 219-548 kg (P<0.05). The highest protein content of milk is a characteristic of animals with the GH VV genotype, 3.83% is for the 1st lactation and 3.82% is for the 3rd lactation, and the best protein content of milk in cows with V allele of the GH gene is 3.21 and 3.23%, respectively. The obtained data  indicated a higher level of milk productivity in cows with the PRL AA and GH LL genotypes but the best fat and milk content was noted in cows with alleles B of the PRL gene and V of the GH gene in their genotype.

Investigation of myostatin and calpain 3 gene polymorphisms and their association with milk-production traits in Sfakia sheep

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 347
Author(s):  
Adel H. M. Ibrahim ◽  
Nikolaos Tzanidakis ◽  
Smaragda Sotiraki ◽  
Huitong Zhou ◽  
Jonathan Hickford
Keyword(s):  
Nucleotide Sequence ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Fat Content ◽  
Solid Content ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Milk Production Traits ◽  
Banding Patterns ◽  
Milk Solid

Context Genetic selection based on genetic markers for economically important traits in Sfakia sheep. Aims The aim of the present study was to investigate variation in the ovine myostatin gene (MSTN) and calpain 3 gene (CAPN3), and their association with milk-production traits. Methods Records for milk yield, milk fat content, protein content, lactose content, and non-fat solid content, pH and somatic-cell score (log), were obtained from 376 Sfakia ewes. Polymerase chain reaction–single-strand conformational polymorphism (PCR–SSCP) analyses were used to detect variation in intron 1 of MSTN and exon 10 of CAPN3. General linear models were then used to test for associations between the variation in MSTN and CAPN3, and milk-production traits. Key results The SSCP banding patterns for MSTN showed four variants (A1, A2, A3 and A4), which contained nine nucleotide sequence differences. Four SSCP banding patterns (C1, C2, C3 and C4) were observed for CAPN3 and these contained eight nucleotide-sequence differences. The MSTN variation was associated (P &lt; 0.05) with variation in milk yield and non-fat milk solid content. Variation in CAPN3 was associated with milk yield (P &lt; 0.001), fat content (P &lt; 0.05) and lactose content (P &lt; 0.05). Association analyses between the presence/absence of MSTN and CAPN3 variants and milk-production traits showed that a variant of MSTN that had previously between associated with muscle hypertrophy was associated with decreased milk yield (P &lt; 0.05) and a lower non-fat milk solid content (P &lt; 0.01). A CAPN3 variant that had previously been associated with increased sheep-carcass loin lean-meat yield was associated with a decreased milk yield (P &lt; 0.01) and a decreased milk fat content (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusions Our results have provided an insight into the effects of variation in ovine MSTN and CAPN3 on milk-production traits in sheep. Implications To preserve the dual-purpose characteristics of Sfakia sheep, breeding goals should take into account the possible antagonism between meat and milk traits.

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