Association of class I bovine lymphocyte antigens with profitability and lifetime yields in the Holstein breed

Ninety-four Holstein cows from the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada herd at Ottawa were serologically typed for the BoLA-A locus. Of the 37 serologically defined specificities, only 10 were present in Holstein cows. A gene substitution model, which included the effect of BoLA alleles and the breeding value of the sire as a covariant, was used to evaluate the association between these genes and lifetime yields and profitability. Allele A14 was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with increased lifetime milk, protein and lactose yields as well as greater milk value and annualized discounted net returns. Therefore, the potential may exist for increasing the lifetime yields and profitability in dairy cattle using genes of the BoLA-A locus. Key words: BoLA, lifetime yields, profitability, Holstein