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The solids found in cow’s milk are composed of fat, protein, lactose and minerals. Beta-casein is one of six milk proteins and is produced by the CSN2 gene. Twelve genetic variants of CSN2 are known which cause changes of certain amino acids in the beta-casein protein and alter its properties. These variants can be classified into 2 groups (A1 and A2) which code for different amino acids at one specific site in the gene. Milk containing A2 beta casein is considered to have health benefits.
The VGL is certified by the A2 Corporation Ltd to offer a DNA test to identify animals that carry the A2 beta casein variant. Test results are critical to implement breeding programs for production of A2 homozygous animals.SUBMISSION FORM - Allow 5-10 business days for test results.
Results reported as:
A2/A2- 2 copies of A2 present. If bred to other A2/A2 animals, only A2/A2 offspring will be produced.
A1/A2- 1 copy of A2 present. If bred to A2/A2 animals, 50% of offspring will be A2/A2.
A1/A1- No copies of A2 present.
For more information about A2 Corporation and A2 Milk®, visit the A2 Corporation Website
The UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory is approved by A2 Corporation Limited as an A2 Certified Tester. A2 Corporation Limited owns a suite of intellectual property rights (including patent rights, trademarks, and technical and commercial know how) relating to testing, breeding and herd formation of animals used to produce A2 MILK®, or milk free of beta casein A1, and the subsequent production and sale of such milk. Any person who intends to form a herd of animals used to produce A2 MILK®, or milk free of beta casein A1, and/or produces and/or sells such milk, may be infringing A2 Corporation Limited's intellectual property rights. Please contact A2 Milk Company LLC (A2 Corporation Limited's exclusive North American Licensee) with any further queries. A2 Corporation Limited may access and use information from the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory relating to the A2 testing carried out by the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory and may communicate with the person seeking testing or the owner of the animal to be tested.
References:
A2 Milk, Farmer Decisions, and Risk Management. Woodford, Keith. 2007. Proceedings of the 16th International Farm Management Association Congress, Peer Reviewed Papers Vol2, pp 641-648. University College, Cork, July 2007. (Eds S. O’Reilly, M. Keane, P. Enright. ISBN:978-92-990038-3-1).
http://www.ifmaonline.org/pdf/congress/07Woodford.pdf
http://www.lincoln.ac.nz/Documents/3180_A2Milkarticle_s9716.pdf
Health implications of milk containing beta-casein with the A2 genetic variant. Bell SJ, Grochoski GT, Clarke AJ. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2006;46(1):93-100.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16403684 (abstract)
Polymorphism of bovine beta-casein and its potential effect on human health. Kaminski S, Cieslinska A, Kostyra EJ. Appl. Genet. 2007;48(3):189-98.
http://jag.igr.poznan.pl/2007-Volume-48/3/pdf/2007_Volume_48_3-189-198.pdf (full article)