Albena Bekyarova
Department of General Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
(Manuscript received 03 June 2026; accepted for publication 28 August 2026)
e-mail: albena.bekarova@trakia-uni.bg
Abstract. The global human population is expected to reach approximately 9.7-9.8 billion by 2050 and peak around 10.3-10.4 billion in the mid-2080s which would create a substantial increase in food demand. Demographic growth requires access to large quantities of high-quality protein. Milk and dairy are a fundamental source of nutrition for the humans. Increasing market requirements for dairy products is intensifying the pressure on bovine genetic selection programs. Genetic selection has fundamentally transformed cattle breeding by shifting the paradigm from phenotype-based selection to DNA-based prediction. Molecular markers such as RFLP, SSR, AFLP, and SNPs are a major instrument for precise herd improvement and inbreeding management. Their application in modern animal husbandry addresses the traditional limitations of progeny testing, specifically the long generation intervals. By integrating high-density SNP-chips breeders can effectively enhance breeding efficiency, population monitoring, and genetic conservation. Furthermore, these molecular tools allow for the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with milk fat and/or protein content, and disease resistance. The current review explores the main applications of molecular markers aimed at improving milk production in cattle.