ASSOCIATION OF FABP T3499A GENOTYPE WITH BODY MEASUREMENTS, TEMPERATURE, AND MILK PRODUCTION PARAMETERS IN IRAQI BUFFALOES

Abstract

The study aimed to detect the genotype of the FABP gene T>A: 3499 in a sample of 41 buffaloes to investigate the relation between this genotype and several productive traits. The study was conducted from October 1st, 2024, to January 30th, 2025, at the Ruminant Research Station in Abu Ghraib. By detecting the genotype of the FABP gene at the T>A: 3499 site, two genotypes, TT and TA, were identified. Their distribution ratios were 80.49% and 19.51%, respectively (P≤0.01). The allelic frequencies for the T and A alleles were 0.90 and 0.10, respectively. Significant differences (P≤0.01) were found in body length, Heart girth, and body temperature during the 2nd month of the study. Regarding milk production and composition, the first month was represented by milk density, the 2nd month by the daily milk yield (DMY), and the 3rd by DMY and density. The TA genotype showed superiority over the TT genotype for heart girth, milk density in the first month, DMY in the 3rd month. In conclusion, the study of genetic structures in the FABP gene: T>A: 3499, the resulting changes can be used in the process of genetic improvement of Iraqi buffaloes performance.