CSN1S1 Genotype and the Effect of the F Allele on Milk Characteristics in Slovak White Shorthaired Goats

Anotace: Various genetic and environmental factors influence the composition of milk. For the cheese manufacturing industry, one of the most important genes is the CSN1S1 gene, which influences the composition of several milk components as well as technological properties. Much attention has been paid to the F allele, which has been identified as undesirable for the manufacturing cheese. The aim of this study was to determine the genotypic structure of the Slovak population of the Slovak White Shorthaired goat (Capra hircus) for the CSN1S1 gene and to evaluate the influence of the CSN1S1 F allele on milk composition characteristics. Hair roots of 86 goats were collected and used as genetic material. Genotyping was performed using PCR and PIRA PCR. Phenotypic data from 101 lactations (first and/or second lactation only) with performance control were used for association studies. The occurrence of the F allele was 0.291. An association study was performed between genotypes consisting of F and non-F alleles. Significantly higher (p >.05) milk, protein, lactose and dry matter production was observed in non-F/non-F individuals than in F/non-F individuals. Genotyping of the CSN1S1 gene could be the basis for the use of marker-assisted selection in a breeding programme for the Slovak White Shorthorn goat. Further analyses involving the effect of the CSN1S1 genotype on cheese production could be performed to quantify the impact of composition on farm economics.