This study investigated bovine TRL4 gene c.9421C>T, c.2021C>T and c.-10C>T polymorphisms and their relationship with somatic cell count and indicators of milk composition. Blood samples were collected from 152 Lithuanian Holstein dairy cows. The method of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was used to genotype TLR4 gene polymorphisms. The data concerning somatic cell count and milk composition indicators (fat, protein, lactose) were analysed. The influence of genes and statistical significance of differences between different genotypes was evaluated by the one-factor dispersion analysis (ANOVA). Results showed that c.9421C>T was significantly associated with somatic cell count in milk. Also a significant association between the genotypes of c.9421C>T and somatic cell count was found (P<0.05). Cattle with the TT genotype showed the lowest somatic cell count. TLR4 gene polymorphisms c.2021C>T and c.-10C>T have no significant effect on mastitis resistance and milk composition. Analysis of the combined genotypes TC/CC of c.2021C>T and c.9421C>T allowed us to determine the possible association of SNPs with the somatic cell count and lactose content. The study showed a significant association between the somatic cell count (SCC) and TLR4 polymorphism c.9421C>T in Lithuanian Holstein cows. SCS of cows with a TT genotype was significantly lower and indicated the association of TT genotype with resistance to mastitis in c.9421C>T and allele T might be the beneficial allele for mastitis resistance.

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Background: Several single nucleotide polymorphisms had been detected in goats and for the researchers it is important to reveal candidate genes with substantial effects on the traits of economic importance. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between LPL, STAT5 and AGPAT6 gene polymorphisms and milk traits of goats. Methods: We investigated about 204 goats, four different breeds (Czech White Shorthaired, Saanen, Anglo Nubian, Alpine) and two crossbreeds (Saanen and Alpine, Saanen and Anglo Nubian). The milk samples were analysed using spectrophotometers LactoScope 550 and LactoScope FTIR (Delta Instruments, the Netherlands). The somatic cell count (SCC) in milk was determined by flow cytometry method using the Somascope CA-3A4 (Delta Instruments, the Netherlands). Variations of the goat AGPAT6, STAT5, LPL genes were detected by PCR-RFLP method. Result: Analysis of AGPAT6 gene revealed that goats with GC genotype had higher milk yield, fat content and lactose content; goats with CG genotype had higher protein content. STAT5 gene analysis showed that goats with CT genotype had higher milk yield; goats with CC genotype had higher fat content and lactose content; goats with TT genotype had higher protein and urea content and also SCC. According to LPL gene analysis, goats with CC genotype had higher milk yield while goats with GG genotype had higher fat and protein content. The highest milk yield was estimated in Saanen and Alpine crossbreed goats while the highest milk fat and protein content was estimated in Anglo Nubian goats.

This research aimed to evaluate the prevalence of the most common lethal diseases in the Lithuanian Holstein cattle population. Two hundred non-related (based on the documentation of origin) cattle (cows and heifers) were included in the study. DNA extraction from blood leukocytes was performed using the chloroform salt method. The cattle were tested for three inherited bovine disorders: bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD), deficiency of uridine monophosphate synthase (DUMPS), complex vertebral malformation (CVM). The PCR-RFLP test method was used to determine the polymorphism of the CD18 gene, which is responsible for BLAD inherited disorder development. A recessive allele with point mutation A→G (383), causing BLAD, was found in the Lithuanian cattle population with 0.0025 frequency. CVM disease is determined by the missense mutation, which has been found in the SLC35A3 gene. The study was performed using a sequencing method. A recessive allele with point mutation G→T (538), causing CVM, was found in the Lithuanian cattle population with 0.005 frequency. The PCR-RFLP test method was used to determine the polymorphism of the UMPS gene, responsible for DUMPS inherited disorder development. A recessive allele with point mutation C→T (1213), causing DUMPS, was not found in the Lithuanian Holstein cattle population. Because intensive selection programmes were performed over the previous decade, the number of heritable lethal diseases carriers has significantly decreased.