Kathryn Hutchinson
Doctor of Philosophy, (Animal Science)
Study Completed: 2008
College of Sciences
Citation
Thesis Title
A search for QTL involved in physiological processes related to milk production in dairy cattle
Read article at Massey Research Online: 
Ms Hutchinson studied the use of metabolic challenges for determining quantitative trait loci (QTL), which are associated with genes that underlie some of the important metabolic pathways involved in milk production. The overall aim of was to explore the use of metabolic phenotypes as a means of improving the rate of genetic gain in dairy cattle. The research has shown that metabolic challenges did not provide useful information for the detection of QTL for milk production traits. This was due to the low density microsatellite marker map used and the highly complex and integrated molecular networks controlled by many genes that influence complex traits, such milk production. The data generated from this thesis will be suitable for more advanced examination of the genetic control of milk production using the new generations of single nucleotide polymorphism chips.
Supervisors
Professor Hugh Blair
Associate Professor Duncan MacKenzie