Polymorphism and association study of lactoferrin (LF) gene with milk yield, milk composition, and somatic cell count in Beetal goats.

The sequence analysis of PCR product exhibited four novel SNPs in the promoter region of the LF gene at loci g.98T>C, g.143T>A, g.189AC>A, and g.346A>G. Each SNP yielded three genotypes; the genotypes TT (SNP1), AA (SNP3), and GG (SNP4) decreased SCC and increase milk quality traits such as density, protein, and milk yield (P < 0.01). The genotype CC (SNP2) and CA (SNP4) significantly (P < 0.01) decreased the milk quality parameters, while genotypes TC (SNP2) and GG (SNP4) showed significantly (P < 0.01) less SCC and increase lactose % in milk. Furthermore, screening of the LF promoter sequence explored the gain of four TF binding sites at locus g.98T˃C and three TF binding sites at g.346A˃G. However, the loss of four and two TF binding sites was seen at locus g.143T˃A and g.189C˃A, respectively. We can conclude from the present study that the GG, TT, and AA genotype might be utilized as genetic markers in marker-assisted selection for the breed improvement program of Beetal goats.