Variation in the Fatty Acid Synthase Gene (FASN) and Its Association with Milk Traits in Gannan Yaks

摘要

Simple SummaryThe yak (Bos grunniens) is a symbolic animal living in alpine climates (between 2000 to 5000 m) in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. More than 13 million domestic yaks provide the basic resources (such as meat, milk, hair, transportation, and dung for fuel) necessary for Tibetans and nomads in China. While yak milk production is not elevated, yak milk is superior to dairy cow milk in nutrient composition (protein and fat). Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is an enzyme involved in the synthesis of fatty acids (FA) and plays a central role in de novo lipogenesis in mammals. However, there have been few reports on the effects of the FASN gene on the milk traits of yak. Our study elucidated the tissue expression of the yak FASN gene and the association of variants and haplotypes in the gene with milk fat percentage and total milk solid percentage. The results provide guidance for the molecular-assisted selection of milk traits in yaks.