Gene expression levels in some candidate genes for mastitis resistance, milk yield, and milk quality of goats reared under different feeding systems

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the expression levels of some candidate genes for mastitis resistance ( LT FandBRCA1 ), milk yield( POU1F1andIGF-1 ), and milk quality ( PPARγandCSN2 ) in different feeding systems (pen- and pasture-based) used for Damascusgoats. Milk samples were taken from all goats in both pen and pasture groups at 4 times, at the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th months of thestudy. It was found that, compared to the pen group, theLT FandCSN2genes in the pasture group had significant levels of upregulationin the 7th month of lactation (3.538- and 5.436-fold, respectively), thePPARγgene had downregulation at the beginning of lactation(0.399-fold), and theIGF-1gene had upregulation in the 3rd month of lactation (2.313-fold) but had significant levels of downregulation(2.332-fold) in the 5th month of lactation. It was determined thatLT Fgene expression levels in goats might be used as a criterion inidentifying mastitis resistance,IGF-1for lactation milk yield, andPPARγfor milk fat yield. This study is the first report that presentsLT F ,BRCA1 ,IGF-1 , andPPARγgene expression levels in goat milk and udder epithelial cells and the effect ofBRCA1 ,POU1F1 , andPPARγgenes on milk protein yield.