Association of genotypes at rs438228855 in Bovine SLC35A3 Receptor gene of Pakistani cattle with the susceptibility to develop complex vertebral malformation.

The aim of this study was to report the genotype and allelic frequency at rs438228855 in SLC35A3 receptor gene and its association with complex vertebral malformation (CMV) in enrolled Pakistani cattle. Our results, indicated that allelic and genotype frequency at rs438228855 varied non-significantly (P > 0.05) among the three enrolled cattle breed. GT (heterozygous) genotype was most abundant (0.54) followed by GG (wild type) genotype (0.45) while mutant genotype (TT) was not observed. It was observed that enrolled Holstein Friesian breed had more GG than GT genotypes while Sahiwal and cross cattle breed had more heterozygous (GT) combination at rs438228855 than the wild type (GG) genotype. Significant variations in white blood cell count, % lymphocytes, red blood cell count, % monocytes, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were observed when compared between the enrolled cattle breeds. Most of the studied hematological parameters showed no association with the genotype at rs438228855. In conclusion the heterozygosity at rs438228855 is not limited to Holstein Friesian breed as local Sahiwal and crossbred cattle had also higher heterozygosity at rs438228855. We recommend that animals must be genotyped for rs438228855 before their selection as breeders to prevent from economic losses.