Characterization of the DGAT1 gene in the New Zealand dairy population

Recently, DGAT1 was identified as the gene that underlies the QTL for bovine milk production on chromosome 14. This study investigated the effect of the reported polymorphism in three dairy breeds in New Zealand. Statistically significant results were identified for milk fat, milk protein, and volume for Jersey and Holstein-Friesian breeds, and only milk volume for Ayrshires. The average allele substitution effects were 2 to 3 kg of protein and 120 to 130 l milk for both the Jersey and Holstein-Friesian breeds. For milk fat, the average allele substitution effect was 6 kg for Holstein-Friesians and 3 kg for Jerseys. In all breeds, where the polymorphism increased milk fat yield, it decreased milk protein yield and milk volume.