The objectives of this study were to identify polymorphisms in the lactoferrin gene among three Egyptian goat breeds (Barki,
Zaraibi, and Damascus) and to investigate the effect of LF genotype, parity, and lactation stage on milk composition traits of
Zaraibi goats. One hundred and thirty-two blood samples were collected for DNA extraction, with 53 from Zaraibi, 40 from
Damascus, and 39 from Barki breeds. Fat, protein, total solids, solids-not-fat, and lactose percentages were determined in Zaraibi
goat milk using an automatic milk analyzer. Two genotypes, GG and GA, in the lactoferrin gene were identified using singlestrand conformation polymorphism and were confirmed by direct sequencing technique. The Zaraibi breed recorded the highest
heterozygosity (0.272) and effective number of alleles (1.369), while the Damascus breed recorded the lowest values. The G/A
SNP showed a significant association with protein, solids-not-fat, and total solid content of Zaraibi goat milk. Protein, solids-notfat, and total solid content in our study were significantly higher at early and late parities. Lactose percentage decreased
significantly from early to late parity. Fat, protein, solids-not-fat, and total solid content were significantly higher at early and
late stages of lactation, and our results encourage the utilization of Zaraibi goat milk in cheese and butter processing at these
stages. Moreover, the G/A SNP of the LF gene may be a useful marker for assisted selection programs to improve goat milk
composition. |
