Genetic polymorphism in MAP1B gene associated with conception rate in Holstein Friesian crossbred breeding bulls

The microtubule associated protein 1 B (MAP1B) gene is one of the candidate genes which was found to be strongly associated with the sire conception rate. In the present study, identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the targeted region of MAP1B gene and their effect on conception rate (CR) in Karan Fries (KF) breeding bulls were sought. A tetra-primer ARMS PCR technique was adapted to genotype an SNP, g. 3,066A>G located on intron 1 of MAP1B gene. The relationship between the CR of KF breeding bulls and polymorphic locus of MAP1B gene was assessed. Genotyping of the targeted region revealed three kinds of genotype (AA, AG and GG) with respect to g. 3,066A>G SNP locus. The identified SNP had highly significant (P=0.0009) influence on CR. The KF bulls with AA and AG genotype had comparatively higher CR than the bulls with GG genotype. The identified SNP was significantly associated with CR, thus it may be utilized as a molecular marker for developing marker-assisted selection strategy to enhance the CR in KF cattle population.