Assessment of a single-nucleotide polymorphism in specific protein 1 (SP1)-binding site of the Lactoferrin promoter region as potential genetic markers for uterine infection in dairy cows

The existence of single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in specific protein 1 (SP1)-binding site of the lactoferrin gene was assessed using RFLP-PCR. Also, the relationship between this SNP and uterine infection and some reproductive parameters in dairy cows were investigated. Blood samples were collected from multiparous Holstein-Friesian dairy cows with a history of uterine infection (n = 30) and cows without uterine infection (n = 28), as control group. Using RFLP-PCR, we detected an SNP (G to A: position −190) within the SP1-binding site in the lactoferrin promoter region in cows with and without uterine infection; however, the results showed that higher percentage of cows with mutation had a history of uterine infection compared to that of cows without mutation (71.4 versus 28.6 %; P < 0.05). Cows with mutation need more service per conception and had higher days open compared to that of cow without mutation; however, this difference was not significant. These findings show that the mutation in SP1-binding site may be responsible for expression of the lactoferrin gene, therefore, it can be considered as a useful genetic marker for resistance to postpartum uterine infection in dairy cattle.