_1746956112 20250511093512000 Rovedar Daryoushbabazadeh@gmail.com Rovedar Farm Animal Health and Nutrition Farm Anim. Health Nutr. 2980-7905 03 24 2025 4 1 Samia Kdidi https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2051-3578 Asma Majdoub Mohamed Habib Yahyaoui https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2393-9478 Introduction: The nutritional qualities of goat milk are affected by both environmental factors and genetic variations within casein genes. This study aims to assess the genetic polymorphism of the Kappa Casein (CSN3) gene in a goat population from Southeast Tunisia. This population is known for its exceptional resilience to harsh conditions, including limited feed and water scarcity. Materials and methods: The PCR-RFLP was used to analyze the genomic DNA of 48 blood samples belonging to unrelated individuals from the Tunisian goat population for the CSN3 casein gene variability, at positions 166 and 448 bp. Results: The analysis revealed a high prevalence of the GG genotype at position 166 and the TT genotype at position 448. Interestingly, the frequency of alleles from group I (A, B, E, F, H, J, and K) in the studied goat population of the present work is quite high; the alleles belonging to this group were known as associated with higher milk protein content. These findings suggest that these goats possess genetic traits that may improve milk protein production, which is crucial for ensuring the survival and well-being of their offspring. Conclusion: The prevalence of alleles within the CSN3 gene, which is associated with high milk protein content, is a notable finding in this study. These genetic characteristics help mitigate the negative impacts of restricted feed and water on the growth and development of the offspring.  The present study displays one of several adaptative features of this goat population which may highlight also the importance of these traits for sustainable goat breeding and milk quality improvement. 03 24 2025 9 13 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 10.58803/fahn.v4i1.70 https://fahn.rovedar.com/index.php/FAHN/article/view/70 https://fahn.rovedar.com/index.php/FAHN/article/download/70/97 https://fahn.rovedar.com/index.php/FAHN/article/download/70/97 10.3390/dairy3030044 10.3389/fgene.2022.995349 10.1016/j.fbio.2022.101591 10.1002/fsn3.3531 10.1186/1297-9686-43-31 10.1111/age.12188 10.3390/ani9121114 10.3390/ani14010056 10.18805/BKAP347 Chiatti F, Caroli A, Chessa S, Bolla P, and Pagnacco G. Relationships between goat к-casein (CSN3) polymorphism and milk composition. Proceedings of the Role of Biotechnology, Villa Gualino, Torino, Italy, 2005. p. 163–-164. Available at: http://www.fao.org/biotech/docs/chiatti.pdf 10.3168/jds.2006-508 10.3168/jds.2008-1510 Pasture Breeding Office (OEP). Tunis: Livestock and Pasture Office; c2024. Données sectorielles - effectifs du cheptel. Available at: http://www.oep.nat.tn/index.php/fr/donnees-sectorielles/40-effectif-s-du-cheptel Nafti M, Khaldi Z, and Haddad B. Genetic relationships and structure among goat populations from southern Tunisia assessed using microsatellites. J New Sci. 2016; 27(5): 1488-1497. Available at: https://www.jnsciences.org/agri-biotech/35-volume-27/140-genetic-relationships-and-structure-among-goat-populations-from-southern-tunisia-assessed-using-microsatellites.html National Observatory of Agriculture (Onagri). Precipitation: Annual average of cumulative precipitation observed over the period 1981-2010; Available at: https://onagrihome.files.wordpress.com/2022/06/note-de-synthese.pdf Ammar H, Bodas R, Ben Younes M, and López S. Goat breeding systems in the south of Tunisia (Tataouine). Economic, social and environmental sustainability in sheep and goat production systems. Zaragoza: CIHEAM/FAO/CITADGA, 2011. http://om.ciheam.org/article.php?IDPDF=801516 p. 283-288. 10.5772/intechopen.96357 Gaddour A, and Najari S. Pure breeds and crossed caprine genotypes effect in the oases of southern Tunisia. Afr J Agric Res. 2009; 4(11): 1203-1207. Available at: https://academicjournals.org/journal/AJAR/article-full-text-pdf/9D0352F37917 Sambrook J, Fritsch EF, and Maniatis T. Molecular cloning: A laboratory manual. 2nd ed. Cold Spring Harbor (NY): Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; c1989. 10.1111/j.1471-8286.2007.01931.x Grosclaude F, and Martin P. Casein polymorphisms in the goat. 1997. 10.1159/000133593 10.1159/000134429 10.1017/S0022029901004733 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(03)73867-3 3168/jds.S0022-0302(03)73867-3 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(05)72817-4 10.4081/ijas.2015.3464 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2023.107146 1016/j.smallrumres.2023.107146 10.17582/journal.aavs/2022/10.6.1333.1338 10.22214/ijraset.2022.46826 10.19136/era.a4n12.1165 19136/era.a4n12.1165 10.1038/221635a0 10.5194/aab-65-129-2022