peer-reviewedSelection based on genetic polymorphisms requires accurate quantification of the
effect or association of the polymorphisms with all traits of economic importance.
The objective of this study was to estimate, using progeny performance data on 848
Holstein-Friesian bulls, the association between a non-conservative alanine to lysine
amino acid change (K232A) in exon 8 of the diacylglycerol-O-transferase 1 (DGAT1)
gene and milk production and functionality in the Irish Holstein-Friesian population.
The DGAT1 gene encodes the diacylglycerol-O-transferase microsomal enzyme
necessary to catalyze the final step in triglyceride synthesis. Weighted mixed model
methodology, accounting for the additive genetic relationships among animals, was
used to evaluate the association between performance and the K232A polymorphism.
The minor allele frequency (K allele) was 0.32. One copy of the K allele was associated
(P < 0.001) with 77 kg less milk yield, 4.22 kg more fat yield, 0.99 kg less protein
yield, and 1.30 and 0.28 g/kg greater milk fat and protein concentration, respectively;
all traits were based on predicted 305-day production across the first five lactations.
The K232A polymorphism explained 4.8%, 10.3% and 1.0% of the genetic variance in
milk yield, fat yield and protein yield, respectively. There was no association between
the K232A polymorphism and fertility, functional survival, calving performance,
carcass traits, or any conformation trait with the exception of rump width and carcass
conformation. Using the current economic values for the milk production traits
in the Irish total merit index, one copy of the K allele is worth €5.43 in expected
profitability of progeny. Results from this study will be useful in quantifying the
cost-benefit of including the K232A polymorphism in the Irish national breeding programme
