The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of genetic and non-genetic factors on the composition of milk and cow metabolism. Farms and lactation stage had a strong effect. Polymorphisms of lipogenic genes had a low effect on milk parameters and the fatty acid profile. The association between β-hydroxybutyric acid and the fat-to-protein ratio was significant. The level of β-hydroxybutyric acid in milk may serve as a field predictor of ketosis in animals.

We studied 400 female yaks from the Qinghai Plateau to explore whether small differences in a growth-related gene were linked to body size. Several genetic differences were associated with height and body length, and one genetic pattern was linked to better overall growth. These findings may help identify yaks with favorable growth potential and support more efficient breeding in the future.

Gestation length (GL) is an important component of fertility in cows, as it interacts with stillbirth and calving ease. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was applied to a dataset of German Holstein cows, aiming to identify genomic variants associated with direct and maternal GL. We found variants for the direct effect on GL at BTA14, 18, and 19. This is consistent with previous studies in other populations, allowing the transfer of their insights.