OBJECTIVETo study the effect of the polymorphism F279Y of the growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene on milk yield and composition in Chinese Holstein cattle.

METHODSHundred thirty two Chinese Holstein cattle were selected as study materials, according to DHI production performance method to get the data of milk yield and composition; PCR- SSCP and sequencing method were used to detect the genotypes; least square method was used to acquire correlation analysis.

RESULTSChinese Holstein cattle F279Y of GHR gene loci A and T allele frequency were 0.68 and 0.32, respectively, the experimental group significantly deviated from Hardy Weinberg equilibrium (P < 0.01); 305 d milk yield of AA genotype was significantly higher than AT type (P < 0.05), 305 d milk fat yield, 305 d milk protein yield and 305 d lactose of AT type had better trend than those of AA type in numeric; Therefore, allele A was dominant gene of high milk yield, allele T has positive effect on milk composition.

CONCLUSIONMutation F279Y of GHR gene can be used as genetic markers in Chinese Holstein milk production traits of marker assisted selection (MAS) breeding.