The casein genes in goat breeds from different Continents: analysis by Polymerase Chain Reaction – Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism (PCR-SSCP)

Abstract

A screening of casein gene variability was carried out by Polymerase Chain Reaction – Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism in 8 goat breeds from Sudan (Nubian goat), Turkey (Angora Goat Lalahan Tiftic, Angora Goat Yerkoy, Hair goat) and India (Jammu, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, South Goat). A total of 16 different alleles or groups of alleles were found, showing conspicuous differences among breeds. The allele frequencies were submitted to cluster analysis in order to highlight differences between breeds, also including data from Red Sokoto, West African Dwarf Nigeria, West African Dwarf Cameroon, and Borno Goat. The tree obtained from the cluster analysis showed two main lineages. The West African goat clustered together, the Indian and Turkish breeds were in the other group. Nubian goat was found in an intermediate position.

Key words:

• Milk
• Casein
• Genes
• Goat
• Variability