Article

The aim of the present research was to reveal the genotype profile of the local Bulgarian Rhodopean cattle population with respect to αs1-casein, kappa-casein and β-lactoglobulin genes, by PCR–RFLP assay and conformational 2D PAGE. According to these profiles, it is possible to determine the association between each genotype and milk qualitative and quantitative traits and to establish the position of the breed with regard to the genetic diversity other European cattle breeds. The investigation also revealed the high significance of the genetic variants of the three above-mentioned milk protein genes for:
Clarification of the influence of other breeds on the Bulgarian Rhodopean cattle population;
Obtaining data for genetic drift among the Bulgarian Rhodopean cattle population, the indigenous Shorthorn Rhodopean cattle population as a predecessor breed and the Jersey cow as a main improvement breed;
Gathering the necessary information about preservation of this local breed, which is important for the Bulgarian biodiversity gene fund.