The aim of this study is to investigate a polymorphism of the defensin gene and search for its
association with daily milk traits and milk somatic cell count (SCC) in experimental buffalo
population. Composite milk samples were collected monthly from fifty lactating buffaloes
and analysed including fat, protein and lactose contents and somatic cell count. Samples were
cultured for bacterial presence. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length
polymerase (PCR-RFLP) technique utilizing Taq1 endonuclease enzyme was used on
genomic DNA extracted from blood samples. Statistical analysis of dataset was performed
using the mixed linear model. Within studied buffaloes, no significant associations were
found between the RFLP-Taq1 and milk yield, fat and protein content and SCC.However, a
significant effect was shown of the RFLP-Taq1 on the lactose content.