Polymorphisms in the ghrelin gene and their associations with milk yield and quality in water buffaloes

Abstract

Ghrelin is a gastrointestinal hormone that acts in releasing growth hormone and influences the body general metabolism. It has been proposed as a candidate gene for traits such as growth, carcass quality, and milk production of livestock because it influences feed intake. In this context, the aim of this study was to verify the existence of polymorphisms in the ghrelin gene and their associations with milk, fat and protein yield, and percentage in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). A group of 240 animals was studied. Five primer pairs were used and 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were found in the ghrelin gene by sequencing. The animals were genotyped for 8 SNP by PCR-RFLP. The SNP g.960G>A and g.778C>T were associated with fat yield and the SNP g.905T>C was associated with fat yield and percentage and protein percentage. These SNP are located in intronic regions of DNA and may be in noncoding RNA sites or affect transcriptional efciency. The ghrelin gene in buffaloes influences milk fat and protein synthesis. The polymorphisms observed can be used as molecular markers to assist selection.

Synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms in the MC4R gene that are significantly associated with milk production traits in water buffaloes

“…Milk production and milk quality are the most important features used to evaluate production performance in buffaloes (Gil et al, 2013). Milk production traits in dairy cattle should be improved as a result of genetic progress, whereby major genes or genetic markers associated with these traits are identified and applied (Li et al, 2012).…”

Polymorphisms in the GHRL gene and their associations with traits of economic interest in beef cattle

“…The ghrelin gene (GHRL) is a candidate marker because the hormone encoded by this gene induces hunger and is, therefore, related to feed intake (Gil et al, 2013). The hypothalamus is a component of the nervous system that is involved in the control of food consumption and body weight.…”

“…Polymorphisms in GHRL were detected and associated with traits of economic importance in different species of animals (Kim et al, 2004;Fang et al, 2007;Sherman et al, 2007;Sun et al, 2011;Wojtysiak and Kaczor, 2011;Zhang et al, 2012;Gil et al, 2013). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the existence of polymorphisms in regions of the GHRL gene and to evaluate the association of these polymorphisms with feed efficiency, growth, and meat quality traits of Nellore cattle.…”

Association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms and milk production traits in buffalo

“…PLoS One 7: 30910. Zetouni L, de Camargo GM, da Silva Fonseca PD, Gil FM, et al (2013). Effects of a single nucleotide polymorphism in the leptin gene on the productive traits of dairy buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).…”

“…Otaviano et al (2005), Riaz et al (2008), and Feligini et al (2009) reported the association between molecular markers and components of buffalo milk for several molecular isoforms of caseins (alpha s1-, alpha s2-, beta-, and kappa casein). Additionally, Ramesha et al (2008) and Meignanalakshmi and Nainar (2009) found an important association between genetic markers and the beta-lactoglobulin and alpha-lactoglobulin genes, while Gil et al (2013) and Zetouni et al (2013) identified genes involved in feed intake.…”