Influence of leptin (LEP) gene polymorphism on dairy and meat productivity of Holstein heifers

The aim of this study was to research the association between leptin gene polymorphism in Holstein cows with their dairy and meat traits of productivity. To conduct DNA testing on the LEP gene blood samples were selected from 228 Holstein heifers. Animal genotyping according to the leptin gene was performed by AC-PCR. All possible genotypes of the LEP gene were identified in the course of DNA testing. Frequency of occurrence of genotypes and alleles was ranked as follows: CC - 32.5 %, TC - 49.1 %, TT - 18.4 % and C - 0.57, T - 0.43. The results of this study show that animals with genotype TT of LEP gene can be useful in breeding for the improvement of population of Holstein cattle by economic traits associated to the dairy and meat productivity. This research was supported by the FASO Russia project АААА-А18-118031390148-1.