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A Review of Research on Genetic Variation in Physiological Characteristics Related to Performance in Dairy Cattle

US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705

ABSTRACT

Genetic influence on physiological characteristics ranges from single gene effects on amino acid substitutions in alternative forms of proteins to quantitative genetic effects on the amounts of enzymes and hormones. The number of loci involved in the control of quantitative variation in physiologically important substances is not known. A number of marker genes that affect blood antigens, serum and milk proteins, and enzymes have been identified in dairy cattle. However, relatively little is known about genetic effects on quantitative physiological traits in dairy cattle. Much more is known about the genetic control of hormones in laboratory animals. About 25% of the variation in milk production of dairy cows results from genetic differences. We need more studies of genetic influences on the various physiological and biochemical processes involved in the secretion of milk to reveal the mechanisms by which genetics influences the quantity and quality of milk produced by individual cows.