Feasibility of a genetic evaluation for milk fatty acids in dairy cattle

Conference (2010, July)

Recent development of equations based on mid-infrared (MIR) spectrometry for the prediction of milk fatty acid (FA) contents allows their measurement on a large scale during performance recording. The ... [more ▼]

Recent development of equations based on mid-infrared (MIR) spectrometry for the prediction of milk fatty acid (FA) contents allows their measurement on a large scale during performance recording. The objective was to show that a genetic evaluation for milk FA in dairy cattle is feasible in the Walloon region of Belgium and to report first results. Estimated breeding values (EBV) and associated reliabilities (REL) were computed using a multi-trait test-day animal model similar to the one used for the routine genetic evaluation for yield traits. Studied traits were first lactation test-day milk, fat and protein yields, fat (FAT) and protein contents, and content of saturated fatty acids in milk (g/100g of milk, SAT). More than 6,700,000 records were available for common production and content traits and 194,000 records were used for SAT. Used variance components were estimated using REML. The average SAT content was 2.79% with a standard deviation (SD) of 0.50%. A total of 1,707 Holstein bulls used in Walloon Region had REL superior to 0.49 for all studied traits. REL for SAT ranged from 0.53 to 0.99. A total of 1,217 bulls had REL superior to 0.74. SD of EBV for SAT was 0.20%. The maximum and minimum SAT EBV values were 0.89% and -0.69%, respectively. In order to have a direct measure of the part of FAT that is not due to SAT, a new trait (dSAT) was post-evaluated and defined as difference between expected SAT EBV for a given FAT EBV and the estimated EBV for SAT. This new trait can be assumed to be a direct predictor of the content of unsaturated fatty acids in fat. The interest is that this trait cannot be accurately predicted directly by MIR. The maximum and minimum EBV for dSAT for the 1,707 bulls were -0.28% and 0.24%, respectively. Based on these results, a genetic evaluation for milk fatty acids is feasible. In the bull population used recently, a genetic variability for dSAT exists and could be used to improve the milk fat composition. [less ▲]

Genetic evaluation for milk fat composition in the Walloon Region of Belgium

in Interbull Bulletin (2010)

Genetic Evaluation for Milk Fat Composition in the Walloon Region of Belgium

Conference (2010)

Genetic variability of test-day stearoyl coenzyme-A desaturase 9 activity

Conference (2009, July)

Milk fatty acid (FA) profile is far from the optimal fat composition in regards to human health. Different natural sources of variation such as feeding or genetics could be used to modify the contents of ... [more ▼]

Milk fatty acid (FA) profile is far from the optimal fat composition in regards to human health. Different natural sources of variation such as feeding or genetics could be used to modify the contents of unsaturated fatty acids. The impact of feeding is well described; however, genetics effects on the milk FA composition are not well studied. Increasing the unsaturated fatty acids contents of bovine milk could have the potential to raise the nutritive and therapeutic values of dairy products. The stearoyl Coenzyme-A desaturase 9 (delta-9) gene was identified as a potential functional candidate gene affecting milk fat composition in dairy cattle. The objective of this research was to study the genetic variability on this enzyme activity across lactations. A total of 199,977 test-day records were obtained from 29,603 Holstein cows in first lactation, 154,267 records from 23,453 Holstein cows in second lactation, and 173,244 records from 75,887 Holstein cows in third and later lactations. The used model was a multiple-trait random regressions test-day model. Fixed effects were: herd × date of test, and class of age. Random effects were: herd × year of calving, permanent environmental, additive genetic, and residual effects. The studied traits were milk yield, protein content, percentage of fat, monounsaturated fatty acids estimated by mid-infrared spectrometry, and the ratios reflecting the delta-9 activity. Obtained heritability estimates of delta-9 as well as the genetic and phenotypic correlations varied across lactations. These results suggest potential improvements of milk fat composition based on delta-9 activity using animal selection and appropriate management practices. [less ▲]

Genetic analysis of lactoferrin content in bovine milk

in Journal of Dairy Science (2009), 92(5), 2151-2158

Bovine lactoferrin (LF) is mainly present in milk and shows important physiological and biological functions. The aim of this study was to estimate the heritability and correlation values of LF content in ... [more ▼]

Bovine lactoferrin (LF) is mainly present in milk and shows important physiological and biological functions. The aim of this study was to estimate the heritability and correlation values of LF content in bovine milk with different economic traits as milk yield (MY), fat and protein percentages, and somatic cell score (SCS). Variance components of the studied traits were estimated by REML using a multiple-trait mixed model. The obtained heritability (0.22) for LF content predicted using mid-infrared spectrometry (pLF) suggested the possibility of animal selection based on the increase of LF content in milk. The phenotypic and genetic correlation values calculated between pLF and SCS were moderate (0.31 and 0.24, respectively). Furthermore, a preliminary study of bovine LF gene polymorphism effects was performed on the same production traits. By PCR, all exons of the LF gene were amplified and then sequenced. Three new polymorphisms were detected in exon 2, exon 11, and intron 8. We examined the effects of LF gene polymorphisms of exons 2, 4, 9, 11, and 15, and intron 8 on pLF, MY, fat and protein percentages, and SCS. The different observed effects did not reach a significant level probably because of the characteristics of the studied population. However, the results were promising, and LF may be a potential indicator of mastitis. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the effect of genetic selection based on LF content on the improvement of mastitis resistance. [less ▲]

Genetic variability of milk fatty acids.

in Journal of Applied Genetics (2009), 50(1), 29-39

The milk fatty acid (FA) profile is far from the optimal fat composition in regards to human health. The natural sources of variation, such as feeding or genetics, could be used to increase the ... [more ▼]

The milk fatty acid (FA) profile is far from the optimal fat composition in regards to human health. The natural sources of variation, such as feeding or genetics, could be used to increase the concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids. The impact of feeding is well described. However, genetic effects on the milk FA composition begin to be extensively studied. This paper summarizes the available information about the genetic variability of FAs. The greatest breed differences in FA composition are observed between Holstein and Jersey milk. Milk fat of the latter breed contains higher concentrations of saturated FAs, especially short-chain FAs. The variation of the delta-9 desaturase activity estimated from specific FA ratios could explain partly these breed differences. The choice of a specific breed seems to be a possibility to improve the nutritional quality of milk fat. Generally, the proportions of FAs in milk are more heritable than the proportions of these same FAs in fat. Heritability estimates range from 0.00 to 0.54. The presence of some single nucleotide polymorphisms could explain partly the observed individual genetic variability. The polymorphisms detected on SCD1 and DGAT1 genes influence the milk FA composition. The SCD1 V allele increases the unsaturation of C16 and C18. The DGAT1 A allele is related to the unsaturation of C18. So, a combination of the molecular and quantitative approaches should be used to develop tools helping farmers in the selection of their animals to improve the nutritional quality of the produced milk fat. [less ▲]

Genetic parameters of stearoyl coenzyme-A desaturase 9 activity estimated by test-day model

in Journal of Dairy Science (2008, July), 91(E-Suppl. 2), 542

Dairy and beef products account for a large part of fat intake in human nutrition and therefore can be linked to dietary diseases. The stearoyl Coenzyme-A desaturase 9 (delta-9) gene was identified as a ... [more ▼]

Dairy and beef products account for a large part of fat intake in human nutrition and therefore can be linked to dietary diseases. The stearoyl Coenzyme-A desaturase 9 (delta-9) gene was identified as a potential functional candidate gene affecting milk fat composition in dairy cattle. The objective of this research was to estimate the genetic parameters of delta-9 activity indicator traits and to study the relationship between delta-9 activity as described by these indicator traits and common milk production traits. A total of 126,331 test-day records were obtained from 14,259 Holstein (> 84% Holstein gene) heifers belonging to 105 herds. The studied traits were milk yield, percentages of fat and protein, content of monounsaturated fatty acids, and 3 ratios reflecting the delta-9 activity (C14:1/ C14:0; C16:1/C16:0 and C18:1/C18). The used model was a multiple-trait random regressions test-day model and included as fixed effects: herd x date of test, class of age, and month x year. Random effects were herd x year of calving, permanent environmental, additive genetic, and residual effects. The fatty acid contents were estimated by mid-infrared spectrometry. Delta-9 activity varied within year and lactation. The obtained heritability estimates of delta-9 as well as the genetic and phenotypic correlation varied also through lactation. This study suggests potential improvements of delta-9 activity and subsequently milk fat composition can be achieved by animal management but also by breeding and animal selection. [less ▲]

Variabilité génétique des composés 'Santé' du lait prédits par la spectrométrie du moyen-infrarouge

in 13ième Carrefour des Productions Animales: L'Elevage des ruminants en question: vérités et contre-vérités (2008)

Variation of lactoferrin content predicted by mid-infrared spectrometry (MIR)

Poster (2007, August)

Genetic variability of lactoferrin content estimated by mid-infrared spectrometry in bovine milk

in Journal of Dairy Science (2007), 90(9), 4443-4450

The effects of lactoferrin (LF) on the immune system have already been shown by many studies. Unfortunately, the current methods used to measure LF levels in milk do not permit the study of the genetic ... [more ▼]

The effects of lactoferrin (LF) on the immune system have already been shown by many studies. Unfortunately, the current methods used to measure LF levels in milk do not permit the study of the genetic variability of lactoferrin or the performance of routine genetic evaluations. The first aim of this research was to derive a calibration equation permitting the prediction of LF in milk by mid-infrared spectrometry (MIR). The calibration with partial least squares on 69 samples showed a ratio of standard error of cross-validation to standard deviation equal to 1.98. Based on this value, the calibration equation was used to establish an LF indicator trait (predicted LF; pLF) on a large number of milk samples (n = 7,690). A subsequent study of its variability was conducted, which confirmed that stage of lactation and lactation number influence the overall pLF level. Small differences in mean pLF among 7 dairy breeds were also observed. The pLF content of Jersey milk was significantly higher than that in Holstein milk. Therefore, the choice of breed could change the expected LF level. Heritability estimated for pLF was 19.7%. The genetic and phenotypic correlations between somatic cell score and pLF were 0.04 and 0.26, respectively. As somatic cell score increases in presence of mastitis, this observation seems to indicate that pLF, or a function of observed pLF, compared with expected LF might have potential as an indicator of mastitis. The negative genetic correlation (−0.36) between milk yield and pLF could indicate an undesirable effect of selection for high milk production on the overall LF level. [less ▲]