Functional Genes in Relation to Residual Feed Intake in Murrah Buffalo Heifers

High Feed efficiency (FE) in growing heifers has economic importance dairy, but remains less understood buffaloes. conversion is defined as dry matter intake (DMI) per unit body weight gain and determined residual feed (RFI), i.e., the difference between actual predicted to during a trial run for 78 days under control feeding. A large variation was identified ranging -0.42 0.35 buffalo (n = 40) of age 11 15 months. An average daily (ADG) varied 382.0 807.6 g/day when compared with control-fed at an organized farm. The whole blood transcriptome data obtained from selected extremes estimated high low RFI were reference assembly generated multiparous buffaloes 16) diverse maturity, period regaining post partum cyclicity level milk production. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using genome Mediterranean water buffalo. GO: terms (Padj 0.05, FDR 0.05) enriched by annotated DEGs biological pathways gene network trait identified. specific pre-transcriptional regulation nucleus Chromatin organization Nucleoplasm, Energy balancing, Immunity, Cell signaling, ROS optimization, ATP generation through Electron Transport chain cell proliferation determined. study reveals indicators targeting metabolic changes molecular functions underlying utilization capacity Estimated revealed over which may lower DMI even up 13.6% thus, enabling increase ADG 16% involving efficient breeding plan. scope selective FE heifers. variants catalogued are useful breed-specific markers future reference. contributes understanding its association key interactive traits such reproduction growth. This knowledge can be utilized develop more effective programs.