Study on polymerization effect of polyembryony genes by SSCP marker and family trees in Chinese goats

Relative abundance of tissue mRNA and association of the single nucleotide polymorphism of the goat NGF gene with prolificacy

Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) promotes the development of pre-antral ovarian follicles through ovarian innervations and regulation of ovarian response to gonadotropins. The present study was conducted to study the tissue gene expression profile, to characterize the genetic variants, find associations of the NGF gene with prolificacy in the prolific Malabari and less prolific Attappady Black goats because NGF has an important role in reproduction by augmenting ovarian folliculogenesis. Relative abundance of NGF mRNA was greatest in reproductive tissues signifying its role in reproduction. The PCR-SSCP analysis of a 251bp fragment of Exon 3 of the NGF gene from the 277 goats revealed four diplotypes (EE, EF, FF and EG) with respective frequencies of 0.76, 0.22, 0.01 and 0.01. Sequencing of the representative samples revealed one synonymous and one novel non synonymous mutations (g.705G>A and g.715C>T). Statistical analysis indicated that the SNP g.705G>A was associated with litter size in Attappady Black goats (P<0.05) and a PCR-RFLP was designed using the restriction enzyme, BpiI, for rapid screening of the SNP. The results of the present study suggest that the NGF gene is a primary candidate gene affecting prolificacy in goats and may be used for Marker Assisted Selection (MAS) in goats, especially in lowly prolific Attappady Black goats.

Polymerisation effects of four microsatellites on litter size in Xinong Saanen goats

In this study, the polymerisation effects of four microsatellites (OarAE101, BM1329, BM143 and LSCV043) on litter size in Xinong Saanen goats were analysed by means of microsatellite marker and pedigrees, then associations between combined genotypes and litter size were performed. The results indicate that the individuals with A5A1B10B5C5C1D6D2 (3.10 ± 0.07) had greater litter sizes than those with other combined genotypes in terms of average parity (P < 0.05). Comparing A5A1B10B5C5C1D6D2 with A7A2B10B5C5C1D6D2, the polymerisation effect value of the A5A1 genotype litter size was 18.09% higher than that of the A7A2 genotype. Comparing A5A1B6B1C6C1D6D2 of the F1 generation with A5A1B6B1C7C3D6D2 of the F2 generation, it was shown that the polymerisation effect value of the C6C1 genotype was 37.93% higher than that of the C7C3 genotype. Comparing A5A1B6B1C8C4D4D1 of the F1 generation with A5A1B6B1C8C4D9D5 of the F2 generation, it was shown that the polymerisation effect value of the D4D1 genotype was 68.07% higher than that of the D9D5 genotype. These results suggested that A5A1B10B5C5C1D6D2 is a useful marker affecting caprine litter size.

Comparative sequence analysis in the exon 5 of growth hormone gene in the various livestock species of India

The aim of the study was to identify genetic polymorphism in growth hormone (GH) gene locus of six different livestock species using PCR-Direct DNA sequencing method. In exon 5 of GH gene, 10 SNPs variants were identified in all livestock species studied, namely Bubalus bubalis, Bos indicus, Bos frontalis, Bos grunniens, Ovis aries, and Capra hircus. Four SNPs were observed in Bubalus bubalis, two SNPs in Bos indicus, one SNP in Ovis aries, and three SNPs in Capra hircus. No changes were observed in Bos grunniens and Bos frontalis when compared with the template sequence and the SNPs observed in the present investigation may be useful in the marker assisted selection.

Effects of single and combined genotypes of MC4R and POU1F1 genes on two production traits in Langshan chicken

The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of single and combined genotypes of MC4R and POU1F1 genes in Chinese well-known indigenous chicken (Langshan chicken) population. Genetic variants within MC4R gene and POU1F1 gene were screened through PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing methods. A C/T mutation at nt 944 in MC4R gene (NC_006089.2:g. 944C>T) and a G/A mutation at nt 3109 in POU1F1 gene (NC_006088.2:g. 3109 G>A) were identified. Associations between the mutations of the two genes with two production traits were analyzed. The results showed that, at MC4R locus, individuals with BB and AB genotypes had highly significantly higher body weight at 16 weeks (p < 0.01) than did those with the AA genotype. And, individuals within AA and AB genotypes had significantly higher egg numbers at 300 days (p < 0.05). At POU1F1 locus, individuals with CD genotype had higher body weight at 16 weeks and egg numbers at 300 days (p < 0.05). Furthermore, combined genotypes from these two loci were found to be associated with egg numbers at 300 days (p < 0.05). The individuals within combined genotype AB/CD had higher egg production. Therefore, variations identified within the MC4R and POU1F1genes are suitable for future use in identifying chickens with the genetic potential of higher body weight and reproductive traits, at least in the population of Langshan chickens.