Abstract

  One of the latest methods which can improve the accuracy of prediction and response to selection is the selection based on markers. Research has shown that the POU1F1 (Pit-1) gene has important role in the regulation of animal growth and associated with carcass, weight and milk traits. The purpose of this research was to study polymorphisms of POU1F1 gene and their association with growth and milk production traits in Mahabadi goat breed. For this purpose blood samples were taken from 136 doe and kids and DNA was extracted by optimized salting-out method. Polymerase chain reactions were used to amplify a 324-bp fragment from exon six of POU1F1 gene and 5'flanking regions using a specific primer pairs. POU1F1 gene is genotyped by AluI PCR-RFLP method. Polymorphism POU1F1-AluI locus (thymine to cytosine) had significant relationship with somatic cell count but on milk yield, milk fat, milk protein and growth traits had no significant effect. Therefore, T allele at POU1F1-AluI locus may be used as a suitable allele for reducing somatic cell count in selection based on molecular marker.