Polymorphisms in FSHR and POU1F1 genes and their association with fertility traits in crossbred dairy cattle of Kerala

Abstract

Improving fertility in dairy cattle is increasingly important, as selection for higher milk production is often associated with reduced reproductive efficiency. This study aimed to identify genetic variants in key fertility genes and assess their associations with major fertility traits, including daughter pregnancy rate (DPR), service period (SP), and age at first calving (AFC). The data pertaining to 250 first-lactation crossbred cattle from Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University farms and ICAR-FPT field centres, were analyzed. FSHR and POU1F1 genes were examined for polymorphisms using the PCR-SSCP technique. A non-synonymous SNP was detected in each gene: c.337C>G in FSHR and G111A in POU1F1. Association analysis revealed that FSHR genotypes significantly influenced DPR, whereas no significant effect was observed for POU1F1. These results indicated that FSHR polymorphisms contribute to reproductive variability in crossbred cattle and can be utilized as candidate markers for fertility improvement through marker-assisted selection programs.