Single strand conformation polymorphism detection in alpha-lactalbumin gene of Indian Jakhrana milk goats

Alpha-lactalbumin (α-LA) (ALA), one of the two major whey proteins, is strongly correlated with the nutritional value and the functional properties of whey and whey products. The genetic variations of ALA gene in Jakhrana Goat breed (Capra hircus) were investigated using an optimized non-radioactive polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis of four amplified fragments covering all four exons of the gene. A total of eight SSCPs patterns were detected in three of these exons in a sample of 50 Jakhrana goats, indicating that this breed has high genetic variability in the ALA gene. This result opens interesting prospects for future breeding programs and conservation strategies. These ALA gene variants can be sequenced and screened in the entire population to develop single nucleotide polymorphisms for association studies with different productive and reproductive performances and marker assisted selection. In addition, our data show that PCR-SSCP is an appropriate tool for evaluating genetic variability.