Determination of Polled gene variations in holstein friesian cattle raised in Eskişehir region

In cattle farming, dehorning is commonly performed to address issues related to horns. These procedures negatively impact animal welfare by causing pain and distress to the animals. Additionally, there are concerns about the risk of infection at the wound site and the potential threat to the animals' growth. Genes responsible for the polled trait in cattle have been studied, and DNA sequences associated with different phenotypes have been identified. Molecular studies have identified four DNA sequence variations associated with the polled (Polled) (Pol) phenotype on chromosome 1 (BTA1) in cattle: Celtic Polled (PolC), Friesian Polled (PolF), Mongolian Polled (PolM), and Guarani Polled (PolG). All known polled variants are dominant, and cattle carrying a single polled allele can exhibit either the polled or scurs phenotype, depending on their genotype at the scurs loci. The Friesian Polled (PolF) variant was first identified in Holstein-Friesian cattle. This study investigated the polled (PolC and PolF) variations in Black and White cattle raised in Eskişehir. After isolating DNA from blood samples taken from the cattle, PCR products amplified with relevant primers were visualized using agarose gel electrophoresis and PolF variant was analyzed by DNA sequencing. While the Fresian Pollen variant could not be detected in 100 Holstein cattle raised in Eskişehir, a heterozygous cattle with the Celtic polled allele was detected. Key words: Polled, DNA sequence analysis, Holstein Cattle, PolC variation, PolF variation