MOLECULAR MARKER ASSISTED STUDY OF KAPPA-CASEIN GENE IN NILI-RAVI (BUFFALO) BREED OF PAKISTAN

The present study was conducted to investigate the existence of polymorphism at Kappa-casein (κ-CN) locus in the Nili-Ravi buffalo. A PCR-RFLP method was used to distinguish buffalo κ-CN alleles. The genotypes were confirmed through specific, clearly distinguishable DNA band pattern resulting from digestion with three selected restriction enzymes (HinfI, HaeIII and MaeII). Analysis of 163 animals revealed that all animals were monomorphic, showing only BB genotype. It was concluded that κ-CN B allele, which has significant effect on milk quality reported previously, may be included in breeding strategies of dairy animals. The monomorphism for κ-CN locus observed in buffalo population can lead to the development of a method to identify mixtures of cow and buffalo milk in cheese processing.