Effects of genetic polymorphism in Pit1, GH, GHR and KCN3 on milk yield and body weight of Khuzestan (Iran) water buffaloes

Background: Genetic information is necessary to devise strategic plans aimed to improve the genetic merit of buffalos. Objective: To assess the effect of genetic polymorphisms in GH, Pit-1, GHR, GHRHR, and KCN3 genes on milk production and body weight of Khuzestan water buffaloes. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 60 buffaloes from the Khuzestan province, Iran. Using the PCR-RFLP technique, the amplified and digested fragments of GH/AluI, GHR/AluI, GHRHR/ HaeIII, Pit1/HinfI, and KCN3/HindIII were genotyped. Results: All animals were monomorphic for GHRHR. The frequency of mutant alleles for GH, GHR, KCN3, and Pit1 was 47.5, 74.2, 49.2, and 51.7%, respectively. There were significant differences (p