Expression profiles of lincRNA and mRNA related to milk yield and milk composition traits in the milk-derived exosomes of Holstein and Dogu Anadolu Kirmizisi cows

This study aimed to demonstrate the expression profiles of lincRNAs and mRNAs affecting milk yield and composition traits in the milk-derived exosomes of Holstein and Dogu Anadolu Kirmizisi (DAK) cows. For this purpose, the locations of these specific lincRNAs and mRNAs were confirmed in quantitative trait loci. Then RT-PCR analysis was performed to identify the expression profiles of the lincRNAs and mRNAs. Lastly, correlation analysis was carried out between milk yield data from Holstein and DAK cows and expression levels of the lincRNAs and mRNAs. The findings showed that while lincRNAs and mRNAs associated with milk yield traits were upregulated in the Holstein cows exhibiting high milk yield in comparison to the DAK cows exhibiting low milk yield, lincRNA and mRNA associated with milk composition traits were downregulated in the Holstein cows with high milk yield compared to the DAK cows with low milk yield. These results suggest primary evidence for expression profiles of lincRNA and mRNA related to milk production traits in the milk-derived exosomes of Holstein and DAK cows. These lincRNAs and mRNAs, which are carried in the milk-derived exosomes, could be utilized in animal breeding programs to enhance milk yield and composition traits.