Association of bovine major histocompatibility complex (BoLA) gene polymorphism with colostrum and milk microbiota of dairy cows during the first week of lactation.

Our results suggest a potential role for BoLA-gene polymorphism in modulating the composition of colostrum microbiota in dairy cows. Determining whether BoLA-mediated shifts in the composition of colostrum microbiota are regulated directly by immune system or indirectly by microbiota-derived colonization resistant can have important implications for future development of preventive/therapeutic strategies for controlling mastitis.