Molecular genetic studies of some genes associated with fecundity growth and disease resistance in native sheep and goat breeds of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

newline Sheep and goat husbandry is a predominant livestock activity in harsh climatic regions of the country. The present study was undertaken with the objectives to study genetic polymorphism of some genes related with fecundity, growth and disease resistance in native sheep and goat breeds of Himachal Pradesh. Genomic DNA was isolated from 63, 68, 197 and 73 animals belonging to Gaddi sheep, Rampur Bushair sheep, Gaddi goats and Chegu goats, respectively. Screening of different breeds for established ovine fecundity genes revealed that out of 8 point mutations screened for GDF9, BMP5, and BMPR1B genes, 2 point mutations, (G4-GDF9) and (G7-GDF9) were detected in Gaddi sheep and Rampur-Bushair sheep. PCR-RFLP screening of KISS1 gene in Gaddi goats revealed, frequency of A and T alleles as 0.43 and 0.57 and T allele was associated with litter size in Gaddi goats. PCR-RFLP of PRLR gene in Gaddi goats, revealed SNP (T92C). The SSCP analysis for Growth Hormone (GH) gene revealed 12 different SSCP patterns. Different variants of GH gene fragments revealed significant association with body weights and body measurements. PCR-RFLP analysis of Insulin like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) and Myostatin gene revealed SNP (G264C) and SNP (A70G), respectively. The AB heterozygote genotype of myostatin gene demonstrated significantly higher body weight at 3 and 12 month and body girth at 9 month of age. DRB3 gene revealed 2 alleles and 3 restriction digestion profiles and 4 alleles and 7 restriction digestion profiles for PstI and HaeIII digestion respectively. PCR-RFLP analysis of DQB gene using HaeIII revealed two alleles A and B with frequency ranging from 0.45 to 0.62 and 0.38 to 0.55 in different breeds. The present study generated genotypic data for genes related with fecundity, growth and disease resistance for native sheep and goat breeds of Himachal Pradesh, for which the genotypic characterization information was limited. The generated information could be a valuable input for conservation and future genetic improvem