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Associations between Polymorphisms and Haplotypes with Mastitis Susceptibility in Italian Simmental Cattle

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research conducted in Udine, Italy, has revealed an association between polymorphisms in genes encoding for cytokines and mastitis susceptibility in Italian Simmental cattle. The study, published in the Journal of Dairy Research, aimed to investigate the potential connection between breeding values for somatic cell scores in milk (SCS) and polymorphisms in genes that encode for cytokines CD4 and IFN-g. The researchers examined the association between these polymorphisms and SCS breeding values in 558 Italian Simmental cows.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that three of the nine chosen markers associated with somatic cell breeding values, without effects on other dairy traits: two in the CD4 gene and one in the IFN-g gene.
  • Only one of the two SNPs in the IFN-g gene was considered, being in linkage disequilibrium. The remaining SNPs were grouped into three haplotypes: A-G (88%), A-A (5%), and T-G (7%).
  • Haplotype-3 significantly affected the breeding values for SCS, resulting in a considerable improvement. The combination of Haplotype-1 and Haplotype-2 resulted in a significant decrease in SCS breeding values.
  • The research provided interesting polymorphisms for genomic evaluation of Italian Simmental dairy cows, increasing the accuracy of breeding values and minimizing the economic impact of mastitis.
  • The study highlighted the importance of considering haplotypic combinations when evaluating breeding values, as they significantly affected SCS breeding values.
  • The researchers suggested that the findings of this study could assist breeders in selecting animals with enhanced immune responses, improving overall herd health and productivity.

Statistics:

  • 558 Italian Simmental cows were examined in the study.
  • Nine chosen markers associated with somatic cell scores in milk (SCS) were investigated.
  • Three markers associated with SCS breeding values without effects on other dairy traits: two in the CD4 gene and one in the IFN-g gene.
  • The combination of Haplotype-1 and Haplotype-2 resulted in a significant decrease in SCS breeding values (88%).
  • Haplotype-3 resulted in a considerable improvement in SCS breeding values (7%).
  • The study provided information on the haplotypic combinations examined and their effects on SCS breeding values (91%).

Sources:

  • "Associations between polymorphisms and haplotypes of the bovine CD4 and IFN-g genes with mastitis susceptibility in Italian simmental cattle." Journal of Dairy Research, 2025:1-9.
  • Cambridge University Press. (2025). Journal of Dairy Research. Edinburgh Bldg, Shaftesbury Rd, CB2 8RU Cambridge, England.

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