Abstract. The use of molecular markers can support the management of endangered
populations and should be combined with appropriate breeding strategies to improve
productive traits avoiding the decline of the breed. The genetic variability at 10
microsatellite loci were investigated in a sample of 100 unrelated Markhoz goats
(77 females and 23 males). The investigated population was reared at the Sanandaj Markhoz
goat Performance Testing Station in Kurdistan, Iran. Markhoz goat, a multipurpose breed,
is one of the most valuable genetic resources in Iran. All the studied loci were found to
be polymorphic and a total number of 52 alleles were identified with an average number of
alleles of 5.2. Moreover, some population genetic indices, such as observed and expected
heterozygosity, observed and expected number of alleles, Shannon's index, Nei's expected
heterozygosity, and polymorphism information content were also calculated. Despite the
decreasing population size, Markhoz goat genetic diversity is still conserved. The breed
seems to have a good level of genetic variability and, as a consequence, a potential
margin of adaptability to environment and for future genetic improvement.
Reproductive traits in livestock species are genetically controlled by the action of single genes with a major effect, commonly known as fecundity genes. One of the genes involved in controlling prolificacy is BMPR1B (FecB), a dominant autosomal gene located in chromosome 6 responsible for the fecundity and twinning rate in sheep and goat species. Markhoz goat is a valuable Iranian genetic resource endangered by extinction. Increasing the genetic variability and reproductive performances of Markhoz goat could preserve and enhance its economic value. This study was carried out to detect possible polymorphisms in BMPR1B gene in a sample of 100 Markhoz goats from Iran. DNA samples were screened by PCR–RFLP to assess the presence of the previously reported FecB mutation. Finally, the amplicons from seven goats out of the 100 samples were sequenced. The results showed that all the analyzed individuals did not carry the previously reported FecB mutant allele. However, our findings revealed two novel possible mutations in exon 8 of BMPR1B gene (775A > G and 777G > A) that need further investigations.
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