Nucleotide variability in Beta 2 Microglobulin (2M) gene and its association with colostral IgG levels in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

The present study was taken up to find out Beta 2 Microglobulin (�2M) gene variants and their association with IgG concentrations in colostrum of Murrah buffaloes. 40 newly parturated Murrah buffaloes dams were included in the present study. Polymerase chain reaction- single stranded conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) technique was used to explore the polymorphism in �2M gene of buffaloes. The PCR-SSCP analysis and sequencing of different patterns obtained by silver staining of fragments pertaining to exon 1 through 4 and partial introns 1 through 3, revealed 9 SNPs which were further used to prepare the haplotypes. 7 different haplotypes were observed. Indirect ELISA was done to estimate IgG concentrations in colostrum (collected 1 hour before first milking) obtained from buffaloes. IgG levels in colostrum ranged from 11.22 to 185.1 mg/ml with a mean IgG concentration of 51.71 ± 5.99 mg/ml. The effect of different haplotypes was evaluated on IgG concentrations. The least square analysis of variance could not exhibit a significant effect of buffalo dam haplotype on colostral IgG concentration.