Comparison of lactoferrin and TLR4 genes expression in milk somatic cells of Holstein and Guilan native cattle and their crossbreds

The aim of the present study was to compare the expression of lactoferrin and TLR4 genes in cow milk somatic cells to investigate genetic differences effects and crossbreeding on the gene expression of the immune system as well as the effect of mastitis. Total RNA was extracted from fresh milk cells of 3 healthy Holstein¡ 3 Guilan Native and 3 F1 crossbred cattle belong to the National Animal Breeding Center of Iran and 3 Holstein with mild symptoms of clinical mastitis. After cDNA synthesis genes expression was measured using Real-time PCR relative to the reference gene GAPDH. The results showed while in crossbred cows the average expression of both genes was higher than parents (P0.05). This study indicated that while there was non-significance difference between Guilan native and Holstein¡ but the crossbreeding clearly affected on the expression of two genes associated with genetic resistance.