Correlation analysis of candidate gene SNP for high-yield in Liaoning cashmere goats with litter size and cashmere performance

Abstract

This study was designed to identify the relationship of four genes (<i>GDF9</i>, <i>BMPR-IB</i>, <i>FecB</i> and <i>ESR</i>) polymorphisms in the 3'UTR region with litter size and cashmere performance of Liaoning cashmere goats (LCG, <i>n</i> = 1140). The <i>ESR</i> C463T and T575G loci of LCG were genotyped. The results of correlation analysis showed that five effective single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) loci (C47T, C94T, C299T, C463T and T575G) were found in the four genes. The lambing number of CC and CT genotypic individuals at <i>FecB</i> C94T locus was significantly higher than that of TT genotypic individuals (45.7 and 46.8%, respectively); the lambing number of CC genotypic individuals at <i>ESR</i> C463T locus was significantly higher than that of CT, TT genotypic individuals (9 and 15%, respectively); There was a positive correlation between CC genotype at C463T locus and cashmere fineness. In this study, the relationship between <i>FecB</i> C94T and <i>ESR</i> C463T loci C alleles and lambing number in LCG was preliminarily revealed. These results further confirmed that <i>FecB</i> and <i>ESR</i> genes may be significantly correlated with high fecundity of LCG.