This study investigated bovine TRL4 gene c.9421C>T, c.2021C>T and c.-10C>T polymorphisms and their relationship with somatic cell count and indicators of milk composition. Blood samples were collected from 152 Lithuanian Holstein dairy...

This research aimed to evaluate the prevalence of the most common lethal diseases in the Lithuanian Holstein cattle population. Two hundred non-related (based on the documentation of origin) cattle (cows and heifers) were included in the study. DNA extraction from blood leukocytes was performed using the chloroform salt method. The cattle were tested for three inherited bovine disorders: bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD), deficiency of uridine monophosphate synthase (DUMPS), complex vertebral malformation (CVM). The PCR-RFLP test method was used to determine the polymorphism of the CD18 gene, which is responsible for BLAD inherited disorder development. A recessive allele with point mutation A→G (383), causing BLAD, was found in the Lithuanian cattle population with 0.0025 frequency. CVM disease is determined by the missense mutation, which has been found in the SLC35A3 gene. The study was performed using a sequencing method. A recessive allele with point mutation G→T (538), causing CVM, was found in the Lithuanian cattle population with 0.005 frequency. The PCR-RFLP test method was used to determine the polymorphism of the UMPS gene, responsible for DUMPS inherited disorder development. A recessive allele with point mutation C→T (1213), causing DUMPS, was not found in the Lithuanian Holstein cattle population. Because intensive selection programmes were performed over the previous decade, the number of heritable lethal diseases carriers has significantly decreased.Key words: cattle; bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency; deficiency of uridine monophosphate synthase; complex vertebral malformation; BLAD; DUMPS; CVM UGOTAVLJANJE POMANJKLJIVE ADHEZIJE GOVEJIH LEVKOCITOV, POMANJKANJA ENCIMA URIDIN MONOPOSFAT SINTETAZE TER KOMPLEKSA MALFORMACIJE VRETENC PRI HOLŠTAJNSKEM GOVEDUPovzetek: Namen raziskave je bil oceniti razširjenost najpogostejših smrtnih bolezni v populaciji litvanskega holštajnskega goveda. V študijo je bilo vključenih dvesto nesorodnih (na podlagi dokumentacije o poreklu) krav in telic. Izolacijo DNK iz krvnih levkocitov smo izvedli z metodo izolacije s soljo in kloroformom. V vzorcih DNK krav in telic smo preverili prisotnost mutacij v treh genih, ki povzročajo naslednje bolezni: motnjo prilepljanja govejih levkocitov (BLAD), pomanjkanje encima uridin monofosfat sintaze (DUMPS) ter kompleksno malformacije vretenc(CVM). Metoda PCR-RFLP je bila uporabljena za določanje polimorfizma gena CD18, ki je odgovoren za razvoj dedne bolezni BLAD. Recesivni alel s točkovno mutacijo A → G (383), ki povzroča bolezen BLAD, je bil ugotovljen v populaciji litvanskega goveda s frekvenco pojavljanja 0,0025. Bolezen CVM je povzročena z drugačno-pomensko mutacijo v genu SLC35A3. Prisotnost mutacije v tem genu smo izvedli z metodo sekvenciranja. Recesivni alel s točkovno mutacijo G → T (538), ki povzroča CVM, je bil ugotovljen v populaciji litvanskega goveda s frekvenco pojavljanja 0,005. Testna metoda PCR-RFLP je bila uporabljena za določanje polimorfizma gena UMPS, ki je odgovoren za razvoj dedne bolezni DUMPS. Recesivni alel s točkovno mutacijo C→ T (1213), ki povzroča DUMPS, ni bil najden v litvanski populaciji holštajnskega goveda. Ker so se v preteklem desetletju izvajali intenzivni selekcijski programi, se je število prenašalcev dednih smrtnih bolezni znatno zmanjšalo.Ključne besede: govedo; moteno prilepljanje govejih levkocitov; pomanjkanje encima uridin monofosfat sintaze; kompleksna malformacije vretenc; BLAD; DUMPS; CVM

The aim of the study to evaluate relationship between breed, GH and CAST genotypes, and FA composition in the ovine intramuscular fat of musculusSemimembranosus. To fulfil this aim, 175 blood samples were drawn by jugular vein puncture from Lithuanian Black-Headed (N43), Lithuanian Black-Headed *Ile de France (N43), Lithuanian Black-Headed *Suffolk (N44), and Lithuanian Black-Headed *Texel (N45) lambs. The lambs were weighed weekly, and the growth rate was calculated using birth weight and month weight values. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples taken into EDTA containing tubes, using a “GeneJET Genomic DNA Purification Kit” (Thermo Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA). The method of polymerase chain reaction and restriction length polymorphism were used to genotype growth hormone (GH) and (CAST) gene polymorphisms. Meat samples of four lamb breeds were taken for analysis (200–250 g from musculusSemimembranosus were taken 48 h after carcass meat cooling). The fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were analyzed using a gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) instrumental technique. All data were evaluated statistically. Studies have shown that purebred Lithuanian Black-Headed lambs are born with a higher weight, so it is not advisable to mix them with Ile de France, Suffolk, or Texel breeds. Also, our research shows that the most beneficial breed are lambs that have the BB genotype of the GH gene and the MN genotype of the CAST gene, as these lambs are born with the greatest weight and gain. The meat of Lithuanian Black-Headed lambs showed the lowest content of SFA and the largest content of PUFA. The ratio ω-6/ω-3 FA varied from 2.71 (Lithuanian Black-Headed * Suffolk) to 4.52 (Lithuanian Black-Headed). Based on the research, it can be concluded that the purebred Lithuanian Black-Headed lambs had higher birth weight, therefore it is not appropriate to mix them with Ile de France, Suffolk, or Texel breeds.

Background and Aim: Cholesterol deficiency (CD) in Holstein cattle, caused by a loss-of-function mutation in the apolipoprotein B (APOB) gene, is a heritable autosomal recessive condition with known implications for fat metabolism and cholesterol transport. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the CD genotype on milk yield components, cholesterol concentration, and somatic cell count (SCC) in Lithuanian Holstein cows, and to determine whether lactation number modulates these relationships. Materials and Methods: A total of 188 cows were classified by lactation: 1st (n = 44), 2nd (n = 50), 3rd and 4th (n = 60), and ≥5th (n = 34). Genotyping for the APOB mutation was conducted using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction. Milk fat, protein, lactose, and SCC were determined using LactoScope Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and Somascope methods, while cholesterol concentration was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Statistical analysis involved the Kruskal–Wallis H test due to non-normal data distribution. Results: The heterozygous CD genotype was identified in 17.02% of the population, with wild-type and mutant allele frequencies of 0.91 and 0.09, respectively. Non-carriers showed marginally higher fat, protein, and cholesterol levels, with a statistically significant difference in fat content (p = 0.04). When stratified by lactation, significant differences were observed for fat content in the 1st lactation group (p = 0.026), SCC in the 2nd (p = 0.038), and protein content in the 3rd (p = 0.030). No significant variation in milk cholesterol concentration was detected across genotype groups in any lactation group. Conclusion: This study confirms the presence of the CD-associated APOB allele in the Lithuanian Holstein population. While CD status significantly influenced milk fat percentage, its effect on other milk composition traits and SCC was limited. Parity exhibited specific but non-consistent modulating effects. Further large-scale, longitudinal studies are warranted to elucidate the physiological underpinnings of these findings. Keywords: apolipoprotein B gene, cholesterol deficiency, genotype, Holstein cows, milk composition, parity, somatic cell count.

The study analysed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of the growth hormone ( GH ) ( GH1 -exon 5, 2141C>G, GH2 -exon 5, 2291A>C, GH3 -intron 3, 1548C>T) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 5A ( STAT5A ) (exon 7, 6853C>T) in three beef cattle breeds (Angus,...