Association of genetic variants of β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) on milk traits of Montenegrin autochthonous sheep breed - Jezeropivska sheep was studied. Polymorphisms within ovine β-Lg genes were detected using PCR-RFLP method by RsaI restriction endonuclease. Milk yield and milk composition parameters during lactation were determined by using the standard ICAR procedures. The obtained results showed a prevalence of A allele (0.625) compared to B allele (0.375), while the frequencies of genotypes were: 0.364 (AA), 0.523 (AB) and 0.113 (BB). No statistically significant differences in duration of lactation and total milk yield between these three genotypes were found. Daily milk yield was the highest (0.70 kg) in ewes with BB genotype β- lactoglobulin then AB genotype follows (0.60 kg) and AA (0.54 kg) genotype. Genotype AA of Jezeropivska breed was linked with the higher protein content (5.86%). The protein content in the milk of AB and BB genotype was the same (5.64%). Significant association between AB genotype of β-lactoglobulin gene with higher lactose content (4.67%) was found. The results presented in this study could be useful in improvement of the concept of conservation and sustainable use of this autochthonous sheep breed, while gene of β-Lg as a potential marker in improving milk traits of sheep.
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