Calpastatin (CAST) Gene Polymorphism and its Association with Average Daily Weight Gain in Balkhi and Kajli Sheep and Beetal Goat Breeds

Abstract

Calpastatin (CAST) gene polymorphism has been shown to affect growth rate in sheep. CAST gene polymorphism using a PCR-RFLP and its effect on live weight gain in Balkhi and Kajli sheep and Beetal goat breeds were investigated. Alleles M and N of the CAST gene were detected by digestion of a 622 bp PCR product with the MspI restriction enzyme. Frequencies of MM, MN and NN genotypes were found to be 76%, 24% and 0% in Balkhi breed and 74%, 24% and 2% in Kajli breed, respectively. Only the MM genotype was detected in Beetal goats. In both the sheep breeds the MN genotype animals showed significantly higher weight gain as compared to the other genotypes. Effect of the genotype on average daily weight gain was observed to occur from birth to eight months age in the Balkhi breed and from birth to four months age in the Kajli breed. This showed that the A>G polymorphism in the exon 1C/1D region of the ovine CAST gene, investigated in this study is a potential molecular marker for marker assisted selection (MAS) concerning growth rate in both Balkhi and Kajli sheep breeds.