Weaver gene 3′UTR novel mutations: Associations with production traits and milk composition in dairy goat

Our recent report on a parallel increase in the milk yield of weaver gene mutation suggests that weaver gene is a candidate marker for quantitative traits in farm animals with respect to milk production traits. To further understand the effects of weaver gene variant on fat, protein, solids-not-fat, lactose and total solids percentage, two novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located on the flanking 3'UTR region were investigated by TaqI polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and HhaI forced PCR-RFLP in a sample of 1,019 individuals from four Chinese indigenous goat breeds. In the TaqI and HhaI analyses, the frequencies of allele T-2 and H-2 in Xinong Sannen dairy (XNSN dairy) and Guanzhong dairy (GZ dairy) populations were significantly greater than those of Shanbei White Cashmere (SBWC) and Xinjiang White Cashmere (XJWC) goats, respectively. Relationships analyses between the two SNPs and milk performance traits and growth traits were performed. T2T2 animals had significantly greater milk yield, protein and solids-not-fat percentage than those with the T1T1 genotype. Thus, weaver/TaqI polymorphism appears to be a promising marker to improve milk production traits in goat.