Effect of DGAT1 gene polymorphisms in coarse-haired fat-tailed lambs of different genotypes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the DGAT1 gene polymorphism and its effects on lamb weight in kazakh and tajik sheep breeds. A total of 97 blood samples were collected from purebred (еdilbay х еdilbay) and crossbred lambs (еdilbay x gissar) breеd by the Baiserke Agro Scientific and Production Center in the Talgar District of the Almaty Region of Kazakhstan. Animals were genotyped for DGAT1-AluI polymorphism using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. The result of PCR-RFLP showed that purebred (еdilbay х еdilbay) sheep had three genotypes (CC, CT and TT) and crossbred sheep had two genotypes (CC and CT). The predominant genotype was CC with a frequency of 0.70 and 0.58 in purebred sheep and crossbred sheep breeds, respectively. The DGAT1 gene showed no significant association with live weight of lambs at different times in both breeds studied. However, the study showed that the CC genotype produced higher live weight at day 60 in purebred sheep (CC: 33,668 kg and CT: 32,444) and at day 120 (CC: 41,487 and CT: 40,929) in crossbred lambs. The present study was the first to investigate the polymorphism and relationships between genotypes and lamb live weights for DGAT1 gene in sheep breeds, purebred and crossbred. We conclude that further comprehensive investigations should be done for the exact evidence of the effects of DGAT1/Aluı polymorphism on lamb live weights.