Effect of genotypic variation in the FABP3 gene on milk productivity and fertility in Awassi ewes.

A small family of low-molecular-weight intracellular fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs), influence the transport and metabolism of long-chain fatty acids in the cell, as among them is fatty acid-binding protein 3 (FABP3). The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of genotypic variation in SNP3 of the FABP3 gene on milk productivity and fertility in Awassi sheep. The study included 61 ewes of different ages from a private herd in the village of Sredkovets, Shumen district, Bulgaria. Animal genotypes were established using PCR-RFLP analysis with application of restriction enzyme BseDI and subsequent gel electrophoresis. The presence of two alleles was found - the wild allele A (with fragments - 36 bp and 186 bp) and the mutant allele G (with fragments of 36 bp, 43 bp and 143 bp) with frequencies of 0.91 and 0.09, respectively, as well as availability of two genotypes - the homozygous wild GG and the heterozygous AG with frequencies of 0.84 and 0.16, respectively. No individuals with the homozygous mutant genotype AA were detected. A proven higher milk productivity was found in the ewes carriers of the homozygous genotype GG (126,989 l) compared to those with the heterozygous genotype AG (122,141 l). No significant differences in litter size were found between carriers of the two genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]