Acta Univ Latv (2009) 753: 117–124

Genetic diversity in milk proteins among goats bred in Lithuania

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the main plymorphisms in AlfaS1-casein, AlfaS2-casein, Kapa-casein and Beta-lactoglobulin genes in goats bred in Lithuania and compare these among breeds. The study was based on determination of single polymorphisms among individuals tested by PCR-RFLP and A-PCR methods. Allele, genotype and haplotype frequencies were calculated and the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test was performed. Lithuanian native, Zaanen, Czech White and German White breeds were found to be polymorphic for AlfaS1-casein, AlfaS2-casein, Kapa-casein and Beta-lactoglobulin genes. The AlfaS1-casein gene B allele (0.981) and BB genotype (0.83) as well as Beta-lactoglobulin C allele (0.913) and CC genotype (0.87) had the highest frequency in Lithuanian native breed. Eight different casein locus haplotypes were found in the studied breeds. Haplotypes B/A/AB and B/B/AB were the most common among the Lithuanian goat population. B/B/C and E/A/C haplotypes were found solely in two breeds – Lithuanian Native and Zaanen. The haplotype E/B/C may be unique, as it was found only in one the Zaanen breed.