Mahesh Shivanand Dige: Division of Animal Genetic Resources, ICAR- National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, Haryana, 132001, India. maheshdige@gmail.com. ORCID
Ankita Gurao: Division of Animal Genetic Resources, ICAR- National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, Haryana, 132001, India. ORCID
Lalit Pratap Singh: Division of Animal Genetic Resources, ICAR- National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, Haryana, 132001, India.
Meenakshi Chitkara: Division of Animal Genetic Resources, ICAR- National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, Haryana, 132001, India. ORCID
Manoj Kumar Singh: Division of Animal Genetics and Breeding, ICAR - Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Gopal Dass: Division of Animal Genetics and Breeding, ICAR - Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Arun Kumar Verma: Division of Animal Genetics and Breeding, ICAR - Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Rakesh Kumar Pundir: Division of Animal Genetic Resources, ICAR- National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, Haryana, 132001, India. ORCID
Ranjit Singh Kataria: Division of Animal Genetic Resources, ICAR- National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, Haryana, 132001, India. ORCID
BACKGROUND: Goat milk is gaining popularity as a superior alternative to bovine milk due to its closer resemblance to human milk. Understanding the molecular processes underlying lactation is crucial for improving milk quality and production in goats. However, the genetic mechanisms governing lactation in goats, particularly in indigenous breeds like the Jakhrana, remain largely unexplored. RESULTS: In this study, we performed a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of Jakhrana goat mammary glands during early and late lactation stages. We isolated milk somatic cells and conducted RNA sequencing, followed by transcript quantification and mapping against the ARS1.2 Capra hircus reference assembly. Our analysis identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and commonly expressed genes (CEGs) across the lactation phases. Early lactation showed enrichment of genes encoding antimicrobial peptides and lubrication proteins, while late lactation exhibited heightened expression of genes encoding major milk proteins. Additionally, DEG analysis revealed upregulation of pivotal genes, such as the ABC transporter gene MRP4, implicated in modulating milk composition and quality. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying lactation dynamics in the Jakhrana goat. Understanding these mechanisms could help in improving milk production and quality in goats, benefiting both the dairy industry and consumers.
