Vol. 11, Issue 1, Part A (2026)

The livestock sector in Kerala is a vital contributor to the rural economy, with cattle playing a major role. Native Vechur cattle are noted for disease resistance, whereas Frieswal, the newly registered synthetic breed of Indian milch cattle (62.5% Holstein Friesian × 37.5% Sahiwal) are recognised for their high milk yield. However, the molecular basis underlying breed-specific differences remains unclear. Comparative proteomic studies were conducted by Centre for Advanced Studies in Animal Genetics and Breeding, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), highlighted differential expression of immune-related proteins between these two breeds, particularly in the coagulation pathway. The coagulation pathway ensures haemostasis through platelet activation and fibrin clot formation. The present study compared bleeding time (BT), clotting time (CT) and expression profile of coagulation-related gene Protein S (PROS1) in Vechur and Frieswal cattle.

The BT and CT were evaluated in eighty animals (40 from Vechur and 40 from Frieswal) and relative gene expression of PROS1 was analysed in blood from healthy heifers (n = 6 per breed) by qPCR using ?-Actin as reference gene. Relative fold change was calculated using 2^–??Ct method and results were analysed statistically using SPSS V.24.0. No significant differences were observed in BT and CT and expression analysis of PROS1 in Vechur compared to Frieswal cattle. Polymorphism studies using targeted amplicon sequencing (TAS) revealed four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Vechur cattle. Although haemostatic parameters and PROS1 expression were comparable between Vechur and Frieswal cattle, the identification of SNPs through targeted amplicon sequencing provides a basis for future association and functional studies in larger populations to elucidate their biological implications