Genetic Characteristics of Exon 8 of DGAT1 Gene in Buffalo(Bubalus bubalus)

In order to make clear the genetic differences and population characteristics about exon 8 of DGAT1 gene,genetic variation of 402 samples from 11 buffalo populations were assayed by employing PCR-SSCP and PCR direct sequencing method.The sequences of DGAT1 of the bovine species in GenBank database were pooled together,the comparative genomics analysis was conducted.The results showed that the sequences of DGAT1 exon8 of river buffalo were identical with swamp buffalo,their length was 75 bp.Compared with the sequence of Holsteins cow,the sequences of DGAT1 exon8 in swamp and river buffalo were allele K,which indicate that it was associated with high milk fat percentage and low milk yield in buffalo.After sequence alignment,were allele K was universal existence in bovine species.The genetic characteristics of DGAT1 exon 8 disclosed in this study could provide genetic background information for the selection and utilization of milk traits in buffalo breeding.