An 11-bp Indel Polymorphism within the CSN1S1 Gene Is Associated with Milk Performance and Body Measurement Traits in Chinese Goats

Abstract

Simple Summary: In the field of animal breeding, selection using molecular genetic markers, such as insertions/deletions (indels), is a novel method to reduce the generation interval and more accurately improve performance. The casein alpha s1 (CSN1S1) gene is one of the major genes regulating the milk performance of mammals, and it is also relevant to body development. Previous studies have shown that an 11-bp indel in this gene was strongly associated with goat litter size, however, its effects on milk performance and body measurement traits have not been studied. In this study, this indel was genotyped in three Chinese goat breeds, and further analysis results revealed that this indel polymorphism was significantly associated with milk performance in dairy goats, as well as affecting the body measurement traits in all three breeds. These findings hint that the 11-bp indel within CSN1S1 gene could be utilized for effectively selecting goats with excellent performances in terms of production and breeding.Abstract: The casein alpha s1 (CSN1S1) gene encodes α-s1 casein, one of the proteins constituting milk, which affects milk performance, as well as improving the absorption of calcium and bone development in mammals. A previous study found that an 11-bp insertion/deletion (indel) of this gene strongly affected litter size in goats. However, to our knowledge, the relationships between this polymorphism and the milk performance and body measurement traits of goats have not been reported. In this paper, the previously identified indel has been recognized in three Chinese goat breeds, namely the Guanzhong dairy goat (GZDG; n = 235), Shaanbei white cashmere goat (SBWC; n = 1092), and Hainan black goat (HNBG; n = 278), and the following three genotypes have been studied for all of the breeds: insertion/insertion (II), deletion/deletion (DD), and insertion/deletion (ID). The allele frequencies analyzed signified that the frequencies of the "D" allele were higher (47.8%-65.5%), similar to the previous report, which indicates that this polymorphism is genetically stable in different goat breeds. Further analysis showed that this indel was markedly associated with milk fat content, total solids content, solids-not-fat content, freezing point depression, and acidity in GZDG (p < 0.05), and also affected different body measurement traits in all three breeds (p < 0.05). The goats with II genotypes had superior milk performance, compared with the others; however, goats with DD genotypes had better body measurement sizes. Hence, it may be necessary to select goats with an II or DD genotype, based on the desired traits, while breeding. Our study Animals 2019, 9, 1114 2 of 11 provides information on the potential impact of the 11-bp indel polymorphism of the CSN1S1 gene for improving the milk performance and body measurement traits in goats.

Milk Replacer Supplementation Ameliorates Growth Performance and Rumen Microbiota of Early-Weaning Yimeng Black Goats

“…This breed is an important source of meat, leather, and wool for local herdsmen. Previous studies have shown that the meat of YBGs have an extremely high nutritional value (2,3). However, the population of YBGs is worryingly small due to delayed growth and low kidding rate.…”

Detection of rs665862918 (15-bp Indel) of the HIAT1 Gene and its Strong Genetic Effects on Growth Traits in Goats

“…In previous studies, SNPs in genes were shown to be associated with growth traits and litter size in goats [30][31][32][33]. Indels similarly present relationships with growth traits [34,35], as observed for a 12 bp indel in GDF9 that is related to first-born litter size in goats [4], and a 14 bp indel in CMTM2 that shows a relationship with litter size in goats [24]. In this study, rs665862918 of the HIAT1 gene was found to be associated with the growth traits of SBWC goats.…”

Novel InDels of GHR, GHRH, GHRHR and Their Association with Growth Traits in Seven Chinese Sheep Breeds

“…A 4 bp InDel in Sox9 3′ UTR was significantly correlated with goat body length, heart girth, and hip width. Sox9 , HIAT1 , MSTN , and CSN1S1 strongly effect growth traits in goats [ 29 , 34 , 35 ]. There have been many reports on the effects of the GH axis related gene mutation on animal growth.…”