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. 2013 Aug 2:14:63.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2156-14-63.

Association analysis between variants in KISS1 gene and litter size in goats

Xiaopeng An  1 , Teng Ma, Jinxing Hou, Fang Fang, Peng Han, Yan Yan, Haibo Zhao, Yunxuan Song, Jiangang Wang, Binyun Cao
Affiliations

Association analysis between variants in KISS1 gene and litter size in goats

Xiaopeng An et al. BMC Genet. .

Abstract

Background: Kisspeptins are the peptide products of KISS1 gene, which operate via the G - protein-coupled receptor GPR54. These peptides have emerged as essential upstream regulators of neurons secreting gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), the major hypothalamic node for the stimulatory control of the hypothalamic-pituitary- gonadal (HPG) axis. The present study detected the polymorphisms of caprine KISS1 gene in three goat breeds and investigated the associations between these genetic markers and litter size.

Results: Three goat breeds (n = 680) were used to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the coding regions with their intron-exon boundaries and the proximal flanking regions of KISS1 gene by DNA sequencing and PCR-RFLP. Eleven novel SNPs (g.384G>A, g.1147T>C, g.1417G>A, g.1428_1429delG, g.2124C>T, g.2270C>T, g.2489T>C, g.2510G>A, g.2540C>T, g.3864_3865delCA and g.3885_3886insACCCC) were identified. It was shown that Xinong Saanen and Guanzhong goat breeds were in Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium at g.384G>A locus (P < 0.05). Both g.2510G>A and g.2540C>T loci were closely linked in Xinong Saanen (SN), Guanzhong (GZ) and Boer (BG) goat breeds (r² > 0.33). The g.384G>A, g.2489T>C, g.2510G>A and g.2540C>T SNPs were associated with litter size (P<0.05). Individuals with AATTAATT combinative genotype of SN breed (SC) and TTAATT combinative genotype of BG breed (BC) had higher litter size than those with other combinative genotypes in average parity. The results extend the spectrum of genetic variation of the caprine KISS1 gene, which might contribute to goat genetic resources and breeding.

Conclusions: This study explored the genetic polymorphism of KISS1 gene, and indicated that four SNPs may play an important role in litter size. Their genetic mechanism of reproduction in goat breeds should be further investigated. The female goats with SC1 (AATTAATT) and BC7 (TTAATT) had higher litter size than those with other combinative genotypes in average parity and could be used for the development of new breeds of prolific goats. Further research on a large number of animals is required to confirm the link with increased prolificacy in goats.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The electrophoresis patterns obtained after digestion with MwoI endonuclease at g.384G>A locus.Note: Fragments including 19 bp of GG and GA genotypes were invisible.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The electrophoresis patterns obtained after digestion with SfaNI endonuclease at g.2489T>C locus.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The electrophoresis patterns obtained after digestion with AluI endonuclease at g.2510G>A locus.Note: Fragments including 61 bp of three genotypes and 27bp of GG an GA genotypes were invisible.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The electrophoresis patterns obtained after digestion with SacI endonuclease at g.2540C>T locus.Note: Fragments including 58 bp of CC and CT genotypes were invisible.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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