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Toll-like receptors (TLR) have been identified as crucial molecules for detection of invading pathogens and induction of host defence mechanism through recognition of pathogen-associated specific molecular patterns. Rathi cattle of Rajasthan is known for its disease resistance and milking potential. The present study was conducted to explore the genetic polymorphism in TLR4 gene by PCR-RFLP method and its association with mastitis in Rathi cattle. Blood samples (5 ml) were collected from 58 unrelated Rathi cattle (including 23 were suffered/suffering from mastitis) under aseptic conditions. Genomic DNA was isolated and TLR31 locus (343 bp) of TLR4 gene was amplified by PCR using specific primers. HaeIII restriction enzyme was used for digestion and 343 amplicons produced two different restriction patterns in the mastitic and control population. The first pattern was considered as ‘BB’ genotype having fragment sizes of 49 bp, 98 bp and 196 bp size. The other pattern was considered as ‘AB’ genotype having fragment sizes of 49 bp, 98 bp, 196 bp and 245 bp. The genotypic frequency of mastitic Rathi population was found to be 0.70 and 0.30 for ‘BB’ and ‘AB’ genotypes respectively, whereas the gene frequency of ‘A’ and ‘B’ allele in mastitic animals were found to be 0.15 and 0.85, respectively. Statistical analysis of association of TLR4 variants with mastitis by chi-square test did not revealed any significant difference (P≥0.05) between ‘AB’ and ‘BB’ genotypes in the mastitic.

Myostatin (MSTN), a negative regulator of skeletal muscle development in mammals, represents a key target for genetic investigations in meat-producing animals, with mutations responsible for increased skeletal-muscle mass was described in several livestock species. The aim of present study was to investigate myostatin gene polymorphism and its association with body weight records in Marwari sheep using PCR-SSCP methods. Blood samples were collected from randomly selected Marwari sheep ((n=71), and DNA was extracted using spin column method. Polymerase chain reaction was carried out to amplify 311 bp fragment of intron 2 region of myostatin gene. SSCP analysis showed two different conformations (AA and AB) in intron 2 region of MSTN gene in Marwari sheep and the frequencies of “AA” and “AB” genotypes were observed to be 0.86 (n=61) and 0.14 (n=10), respectively. This locus was not found in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and no significant effect of intron 2 of MSTN gene on body weights was observed.