An AluI PCR-RFLP detecting a silent allele at the goat POU1F1 locus and its association with production traits

Here, we firstly described an AluI PCR-RFLP method for detecting a silent allele at goat POU1F1 locus: AGT (279Ser) to AGC (279Ser). Frequencies of POU1F1-C allele in the analyzed populations varied from 0.000 to 0.523 in 801 samples belonging to nine native goat breeds in China. The association between genotypes (TT and TC) and 11,026 records of eight production traits was analyzed in 663 samples. Significant statistical associations results were found in milk yield (*P < 0.05) and birth weight (*P < 0.05), which implied that POU1F1 gene had a positive effect on milk performance and early weight trait. While goat POU1F1 gene did not exert significant effect on hair traits. Hence, we firstly suggested that genotype TC and TT could be regarded as molecular markers for superior milk yield and birth weight in goat, respectively.