Polymorphism of the growth hormone gene and its association with growth traits in Boer goat bucks

• Published in: Meat science Vol. 81; no. 2; pp. 391 - 395
• Main Authors: Hua, G.H., Chen, S.L., Yu, J.N., Cai, K.L., Wu, C.J., Li, Q.L., Zhang, C.Y., Liang, A.X., Han, L., Geng, L.Y., Shen, Z., Xu, D.Q., Yang, L.G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-02-2009; [Amsterdam]: Elsevier Science; Elsevier
• Subjects: animal growth; Biological and medical sciences; body size; body weight; Boer; Boer goat; bucks; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; genotype; goats; Growth; Growth hormone; growth regulators; haplotypes; marker-assisted selection; Meat and meat product industries; PCR–RFLP; Polymorphism; restriction fragment length polymorphism; single nucleotide polymorphism; weaning weight; Boer goat; PCR–RFLP; Growth hormone; Growth; Polymorphism; Hormone; Association; Meat product; PCR-RFLP
• ISSN: 0309-1740; 1873-4138
• DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2008.08.015

In the present study, the polymorphism of growth hormone (
GH) gene was analyzed as a genetic marker candidate for growth traits in Boer goat bucks. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) – A781G (Ser/Gly35) and A1575G (Leu147), were identified by
GH gene sequencing and PCR–RFLP (polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism) analysis. AA genotype resulted in a significant decrease in birth chest girth (
P
=
0.03) and weaning weight (
P
=
0.014) comparing to AB genotype, while CC genotype contributed to weaning height (
P
=
0.04) greater than CD genotype. When in combination, AACD genotype was undesired for lower scores in a series of growth traits including body weight, length, height, and chest girth at birth and weaning, as well as the pre-weaning daily gain and body weight at age of 11 months. These results indicate that new molecular markers associated with caprine growth traits can be used in MAS (marker-assisted selection) in Boer goat bucks.