Polymorphism of the ovine β3-adrenergic receptor gene (ADRB3) and its association with wool mean staple strength and yield |
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Authors: | R. H. Forrest T. O. Itenge-Mweza G. W. McKenzie H. Zhou C. M. Frampton J. G. H. Hickford |
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Affiliation: | Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, Eastern Institute of Technology, Private Bag 1201, Napier, New Zealand;. Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Namibia, P/Bag 13301, Windhoek, Namibia;. Agriculture and Life Sciences Division, P.O. Box 84, Lincoln University, Canterbury 7647, New Zealand;. University of Otago, Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, P.O. Box 4345, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand |
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Abstract: | We investigated the possibility that variation in ovine ADRB3 is associated with various wool traits, in particular mean staple strength (MSS). Polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformational polymorphism analysis of part of the ADRB3 intron was used to genotype 695 Merino lambs born on three farms in the South Island of New Zealand and which were shorn as 2-tooths. For each fleece, MSS, mean fibre diameter, mean staple length and yield were measured. The results from mixed-effects models and half-sib analyses suggest that ADRB3 alleles A and D have a negative impact on some wool traits, whereas ADRB3 alleles C and E appear to have a positive impact, with allele C potentially having a greater impact than allele E on MSS. This variation in the ADRB3 may assist in the genetic selection for increased MSS and yield in Merino sheep. |
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Keywords: | ADRB3 gene-marker mean staple strength polymorphism sheep wool β 3 -adrenergic receptor |
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