Genetic Polymorphism of α-Lactalbumin and Lactoferrin and Their Relationship with Milkfat in West African Dwarf Goat

Abstract

Milk samples of 39 lactating West African Dwarf does in selected households in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State were analyzed to study the genetic polymorphism of α-lactalbumin and lactoferrin and their effect on milk fat content. Genetic variants of milk protein were detected by cellulose acetate electrophoresis; milk samples were processed to remove fat prior to analysis. The interpretation of electrophoretic migrations revealed the presence of two alleles in each locus studied. The two alleles A and B controlled three genotypes: AA, AB and BB. Homozygous genotypes AA and BB at the α-Lactalbumin locus was observed in 17 and 5 individuals representing 42.5% and 12.5% respectively and 11 and 6 individuals representing 27.5% and 15% at the lactoferrin locus. No significant effect on milk fat content was observed for the two loci studied.