The growth hormone gene polymorphism and its relationship to performance and carcass features in Egyptian Awassi lambs

The main purpose of the existing experiment was to assess the allelic and genotypic polymorphisms of the Growth hormone (GH) gene and its correlation with growth indices, efficiency of consumed feed, some body indices and carcass traits of the Egyptian Awassi sheep. Forty Egyptian Awassi male lambs were selected for their growing indices (post-weaning daily gain, marketing weight, and weaning weight), feed efficiency (consumed feed and of consumed feed), body conformational indicators (skeletal muscle index, relative body index, body mass index, and body index), and carcass features (dressing %, hot carcass weight, fore-legs %, neck %, loin %, ribs %, abdominal fat %, Tail % and hind-legs %). The polymerase chain reaction-restricted fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) tool was applied to detect the genotypic and allelic GH gene polymorphisms properties. The PCR-RFLP analysis identified three main genotypes (AA, AB and BB) and two main alleles (A and B). The GH genotype (AA or AB) exhibited moderate significant influence (P < 0.05) on marketing weight, Loin% and Tail%. Also, genotype (AB or BB) of expressed GH gene significantly (P < 0.01) influence on consumed feed, post-weaning daily gain, neck% and body mass index, whereas, it had no influence on the phenotypic values of the other characteristics investigated. The presence of the A allele in the genotype was markedly associated (P < 0.01) with consumed feed, body mass index and post-weaning daily growth; conversely, the presence of the B allele in the genotype was significantly related (P < 0.05) with marketing weight, loin %, and tail %. While, GH gene expression was revealed to be highly significant (P < 0.01) in relation to post-weaning daily growth, feed intake, and neck %. According to the findings, determining the associations between GH gene variation and growth, efficiency of consumed feed, body measurements, and carcass features of Egyptian Awassi sheep and applying marker assisted selection with the GH gene to improve these traits is warranted and will be of significant economic value to sheep production.

Exploiting morphobiometric and genomic variability of African indigenous camel populations-A review

Camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Africa are adapted to arid and the semi-arid environmental conditions, and are valuable for meat, milk and fiber production. On account of the growing demand for camels in this continent, there is a need for knowledge on their phenotypic and genetic diversity. This is fundamental to sustainable herd management and utilization including the design of appropriate breeding and conservation strategies. We reviewed studies on the phenotypic and genetic characterization, breeding objectives, systems of production, productive and reproductive performances, and pathways for the sustainable rearing and use of camels in Africa. The morphological and genetic diversity, productive and reproductive abilities of African camels suggest the existence of genetic variations that can be utilized for breeds/ecotypes' genetic improvement and conservation. Possible areas of intervention include the establishment of open nucleus and community-based breeding schemes and utilization of modern reproductive technologies for the genetic improvement of milk and meat yields, sustainable management of rangelands, capacity building of the pastoralists and agro-pastoralists, institutional supports, formation of centralized conservation centres and efficient and effective marketing systems.

Assessment of genetic diversity and differentiation of two major camel ecotypes (<i>Camelus dromedarius</i>) in Sudan using microsatellite markers

Abstract. Although Sudan has the second largest camel population in Africa, it has not yet been genetically differentiated. The present study was undertaken to evaluate, for the first time, the genetic diversity and relationship of two major camel ecotypes representing the eastern (Butana) and western (Darfur) regions of Sudan using 12 microsatellite markers. A total of 107 samples of study ecotypes were investigated displaying high mean values of genetic diversity (mean number of alleles: 11.5 ± 1.45; polymorphism information content: 0.67 ± 0.04; observed heterozygosity: 0.69 ± 0.05; expected heterozygosity: 0.72 ± 0.04). The global inbreeding coefficient (FIT = 0.041 ± 0.03, P > 0.05) was attributed to substantial and non-significant within-population inbreeding (FIS = 0.034 ± 0.03) and scarce but highly significant differentiation between ecotypes (FST = 0.008 ± 0.00; P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis indicated a historical intermixing between different genealogical lineages making up the current admixed gene pool of the geographically divergent ecotypes. Consistent with this, STRUCTURE cluster analysis showed these ecotypes to be one mosaic admixed population. The results showed abundant genetic diversity within Sudanese dromedaries. Our study indicates that the two Sudanese camel ecotypes (Butana and Darfur) appear as an admixture of two geographical branches and do not support the contemporary division of Sudanese dromedaries into their respective socio-ethno-geography.