RECOMBINANT LACTOFERRIN CONTENT IN MILK OF PRODUCING GOATS OVER A THREE-YEAR PERIOD

Abstract

Currently, one of the crucial issues of modern genetic engineering technologies in animal breeding, aimed at obtaining medicinal human proteins, is the creation of primary transgenic genotypes containing functionally active gene construct built into the hereditary apparatus of an individual without negative consequences for the animal organism, as well as the possibility of its reproduction with stable transmission of foreign hereditary information to offspring over a long period using selection, reproduction and biotechnology methods to obtain target products on an industrial scale. In order to ensure a high level of production of the target protein with milk, constantly maintained long-term stability in the genome and expression of the recombinant lactoferrin (rLF) gene in animals are necessary. It can be achieved by carrying out selection work with a herd based on regular monitoring of the concentration of this glycoprotein in raw materials, selection of goats with an economically significant content of rLF in milk, culling of substandard animals and taking into account the influence of various paratypic factors. At the same time, periodic analysis of the presence of recombinant protein in generations will make it possible to identify all kinds of trends, which arise in the process of exploitation of producing goats and to adjust the selection process in the direction of increasing the genetic potential and productivity of animals, which contribute to an increase in the yield of “protein of interest”. In this regard, a study was conducted on the dynamics of the content of recombinant lactoferrin in the milk of producing goats over three consecutive years (2022–2024). It was found that the average content of the target protein in milk raw materials for the entire observation period was 2,71 g/l. At the same time, a downward trend in this parameter was revealed: in 2022, the average concentration reached 2,93 g/l, in 2023 – 2,62 g/l, and in 2024 – 2,57 g/l. The obtained results indicate the need for systematic monitoring of the expression level of recombinant lactoferrin in transgenic animals, as well as the development of measures, which are aimed at stabilizing its content in animals. This will ensure long-term stability of recombinant protein production by transgenic goats.