Analysis of mitochondrial DNA diversity in Burkina Faso populations confirms the maternal genetic homogeneity of the West African goat

To date, no comprehensive study has been performed on mitochondrial genetic diversity of the West African goat. Here, we analysed a 481-bp fragment of the HVI region of 111 goats representing four native West African populations, namely the three main Burkina Faso breeds, zoo-farm kept Dwarf goats and endangered Spanish goat breeds used as the outgroup. Analyses gave 83 different haplotypes with 102 variable sites. Most haplotypes (65) were unique. Only three haplotypes were shared between populations. Haplotypes were assigned to cluster A except for H45 (belonging to the Spanish Bermeya goat) which was assigned to cluster C. amova analysis showed that divergence between groups (Φ_CT) was not statistically significant regardless of whether the partition in two hierarchical levels that was fitted included Spanish samples or not. The West African goat scenario shown here is consistent with that previously reported for the species: haplogroup A is predominant and has a very high haplotype diversity regardless of the geographic area or sampled breed. The large phenotypic differences observable between the West African Dwarf and Sahelian long-legged goat populations are not detectable with mitochondrial markers. Moreover, a previously suggested introgression of Sahelian goat southwards because of desertification could not be assessed using mtDNA information.     

Erythrocyte potassium polymorphism in 14 Spanish goat breeds

Summary. The existence of polymorphism for erythrocyte potassium (Ke) is confirmed in certain Spanish breeds of goat. A statistical boundary is established between two caprine populations: low (LK) and high (HK) red cell potassium, the dividing line being set at 45 m-equiv/l of Ke. Both types are shown to be controlled genetically by an autosomal locus with two alleles K ^L and K ^h, being K ^L dominant over K ^h. The gene frequencies of K ^L and K ^h are determined in 14 native Spanish breeds of goat.     

3个山羊群体中4个微卫星DNA多态性及其与杂种优势的关系

利用4个微卫星标记（OarFCB11,OarAE101,McM218,McM38）对波尔山羊、太行山羊和河北奶山羊的等位基因频率、群体多态信息含量、有效等位基因数、杂合度和遗传距离进行了遗传检测,并测定了波尔山羊与河北奶山羊及太行山羊的杂交效果。结果表明：4个微卫星标记在波尔山羊、太行山羊和河北奶山羊3个品种中存在多态性,可以用于山羊遗传多样性的评估;从不同品种来看,太行山羊的遗传变异程度最大,而波尔山羊的遗传变异程度相对较小;波尔山羊与河北奶山羊的遗传距离大于与太行山羊,波尔山羊与河北奶山羊的杂种优势高于与太行山羊,与实际杂种优势测定结果相符。 Abstract: Gene frequency, polymorphism information contents, number of effective alleles, heterozygosity and genetic distances were studied in Boer goat, Taihang goat and Hebei dairy goat using four microsatellite markers（OarFCB11,OarAE101,McM218,McM38）. The crossing effects on Hebei dairy goat and Taihang goat with Boer goat were tested. The results indicated that there are genetic polymorphisms at four microsatellite markers in three goat breeds. Four microsatellite markers can be used for genetic diversity evaluation in goat breeds. The genetic variability of Taihang goat is the highest, and Boer goat is the lowest in three goat breeds. Genetic distances between Boer goat and Hebei dairy goat is bigger than that between Boer goat and Taihang goat. The heterosis between Boer goat and Hebei dairy goat is higher than that between Boer goat and Taihang goat. It accords with testing results on actual heterosis.     

Erythrocyte glutathione in goats

Fourteen Spanish goat breeds were studied, in order to ascertain the concentration of glutathione in erythrocytes. The mean value for all the animals (1365) was 81.14± 0.54 mg/100 ml and they were included in a unique group, GSH-high type.     

NADH diaphorase polymorphism in goat erythrocytes

This paper describes for the first time polymorphism of the erythrocyte diaphorase in goats. Three diaphorase 1 phenotypes were observed in the red cells of goats. Breeding data indicated that polymorphism was controlled by two autosomal codominant alleles, DiaF and DiaS, the frequencies of which were determined in 14 different Spanish breeds of goat.     

Prion protein gene polymorphisms in four goat breeds of Pakistan

Four different goat breeds (Pak-Angora, Dera Din Panah, Naachi and Teddy) of Pakistan were selected to investigate polymorphism in the prion protein gene (PrP gene) responsible for scrapie disease resistance in goats. Initially, genotyping of 187 animals of these four breeds by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was done to see the genotype for codon 136 and 154. All the animals were monomorphic with a genotype of AARR except one animal of Teddy breed having the genotype of AARH. Sequencing of PrP gene of twenty animals representing these four goat breeds revealed two genotypes PPSSSS and PPSSPS with haplotypes PSS and PSP of PrP gene at the codon numbers 42, 138, and 240. All four breeds showed both wild type monomorphic sequence and mutant polymorphic sequences of these codons. The mutants of 42 and 138 codons translate the same amino acids as with the wild type sequences, while the mutant of codon 240 is responsible for a different amino acid translation i.e., serine to proline. In short, this study provides preliminary information about alleles and genotypes of PrP gene in four goat breeds of Pakistan.     

Transferrin and haemoglobin polymorphism in domesticated goats in the USA

The distribution of transferrin (Tf) and haemoglobin (Hb) polymorphisms in five goat breeds in the USA is reported. Two Tf types, A and B, were identified. A significant difference in frequency (P less than 0.05) was observed only between the Spanish and Alpine goats. Haemoglobin beta-globin variants, Hb beta A, Hb beta D and Hb beta E were observed with isoelectric focusing at pH ranges 5-8 and 6.7-7.7. Hb beta D was not found in the Alpine and Angora breeds. Haemoglobin allelic frequencies varied widely and differed significantly (P less than 0.05) among breeds.     

山羊乳上皮黏蛋白MUC1基因和蛋白多态性的研究

本研究的目的 是从基因水平上检测四川省地方山羊品种乳上皮黏蛋白MUC1的遗传多态性.根据GenBank中山羊MUC1部分基因序列设计引物,用PCR方法扩增出山羊MUC1基因的不同数目串联重复区,长度为1.7～2.2 kb.在4个地方山羊品种(品系)中共检测到3个乳MUC1等位基因和5种基因型,其中纯合型的比例高,基因型和基因频率存在品种(品系)间的差异.本研究为检测山羊乳MUC1遗传多态性提供了可靠的方法.     

Polymorphism of the Goat Agouti Signaling Protein Gene and Its Relationship with Coat Color in Italian and Spanish Breeds

Agouti signaling protein (ASIP) is one of the key players in the modulation of hair pigmentation in mammals. Binding to the melanocortin 1 receptor, ASIP induces the synthesis of phaeomelanin, associated with reddish brown, red, tan, and yellow coats. We have sequenced 2.8?kb of the goat ASIP gene in 48 individuals and identified two missense (Cys126Gly and Val128Gly) and two intronic polymorphisms. In silico analysis revealed that the Cys126Gly substitution may cause a structural change by disrupting a highly conserved disulfide bond. We studied its segregation in 12 Spanish and Italian goat breeds (N?=?360) with different pigmentation patterns and found striking differences in the frequency of the putative loss-of-function Gly(126) allele (Italian 0.43, Spanish Peninsular 0.08), but we did not observe a clear association with coat color. This suggests that the frequency of this putative loss-of-function allele has evolved under the influence of demographic rather than selection factors in goats from these two geographical areas.     

河南地方山羊品种的遗传多样性

采用18个微卫星位点对河南省5个地方山羊品种（牛腿山羊、槐山羊、河南奶山羊、太行黑山羊和伏牛白山羊）的遗传多样性进行了评价.结果表明：18个微卫星位点在5个山羊品种均为高度多态;5个山羊品种的多态信息含量、群体杂合度、有效等位基因数值较高,说明其遗传多样性和各品种内的遗传变异比较丰富;聚类分析显示,牛腿山羊与太行黑山羊的关系较近,与河南奶山羊的关系较远.群体遗传分化系数和群体遗传距离表明,河南省地方山羊的变异主要存在于品种内,品种间的变异相对较小.结合5个山羊品种的实际生态地理分布,提出了避免近交,并有选择地进行品种间杂交的保种模式.     

Detection of myostatin gene MSTN in some goat breeds (Capra hircus)

Till now not information about myostatin MSTN gene in Egyptian goat breeds. Here we show more information about MSTN in some Egyptian goat breeds to enrich the database with new sequences for Egyptian goat breeds. Our conducted study focused on detection and identifying the MSTN gene as a candidate gene of the muscles growth trait in three goat breeds (Zaraibi, Baladi and Damascus). We found the similarity between the registered sequences with the accession numbers KY463684 for Zaraibi and KY463685 for Baladi and Chinese goat breeds of the MSTN gene deposited with international gene banks by up to 99% and some other species including sheep, cows and bull breeds with percentages of 95 to 97% and between 95 to 99%, respectively. There is also a correlation between the sequences of the registered pieces of Baladi with KY463686 and Damascus and Chinese breeds with KY441464 of MSTN deposited with international gene banks by up to 99% and some other species including sheep and bull breeds at a ratio of 99% for two pieces. Results demonstrated the deposited sequences of object are part of intron 1, exon 2 is fully sequenced with Zaraibi and Baladi breeds; the intron 1, exon 1 with Baladi breed; and the intron 2, part of exon 3 with Damascus breed. Therefore, the Egyptian goat breeds consider national wealth can be used to develop breeding and improvement programs which helps in more applicable scopes like biotechnology, genetic engineering and molecular biology with the help of bioinformatics tools.     

Polymorphism of bone morphogenetic protein 4 gene and its relationship with litter size of Jining Grey goats

Two pairs of primers (P1 and P2) were designed to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms of exon 2 and intron 2 of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) gene in both high fecundity breed (Jining Grey goat) and low fecundity breeds (Boer, Angora and Inner Mongolia Cashmere goats) by single strand conformation polymorphism. Results showed that no polymorphism was detected for exon 2 (primer P1) of BMP4 gene in four goat breeds. For intron 2 (primer P2), three genotypes (AA, AB and BB) were detected in Jining Grey and Inner Mongolia Cashmere goats, two genotypes (AB and BB) in Angora goats, and only one genotype (AA) in Boer goats. Sequencing revealed one mutation (2203G>A) of BMP4 gene in the genotype BB in comparison to the genotype AA. The differences of litter size between AA, AB and BB genotypes were not significant (P > 0.05) in Jining Grey goats. A pair of primer (P3) was designed to detect polymorphism in the 3' flanking region of BMP4 gene that contained dinucleotide repeated sequence (CA) in the four goat breeds by microsatellite analysis. For primer P3, three genotypes (CC, CD and DD) were detected in four goat breeds. Sequencing revealed one more CA dinucleotide in genotype DD than in genotype CC. The Jining Grey does with genotype CC had 0.55 (P < 0.05) or 0.72 (P < 0.05) kids more than those with genotype CD or DD. These results preliminarily indicated that allele C of BMP4 gene is a potential DNA marker for improving litter size in goats.     

Gene frequencies of caprine αs1-casein polymorphism in Spanish goat breeds

Using electrophoretic techniques (PAGE-SDS and IEF), we report allelic frequencies of caprine α_s1-casein (Cn) locus in four Spanish milking breeds: Murciana-Granadina, Malagueña, Payoya and Canaria. The E allele (intermediate content of α_s1-Cn in milk) was predominant in dairy breeds Murciana-Granadina, E:0.59; Malagueña, E:0.65 and Payoya, E:0.76, while alleles A and B (high content of α_s1-Cn) were more frequent in the Canaria dairy breed (A:0.28 and B:0.32). Among the Spanish breeds, Canaria represents a particular case where 60% of the alleles were of the high type (A and B). The ethnical group Canaria Palmera was particularly high in the frequency of alleles A and B (91%) very similar to the Italian Garganica breed (98%). The low frequency of F allele (reduced level of α_s1-Cn) in Spanish breeds (Murciana-Granadina, F:0.08; Malagueña, F:0.04; Payoya, F:0.00 and Canaria, F: and Saanen breeds. It is important to note that in the Payoya breed no low or null alleles (F, D, 0) were detected. It seems unlikely that genetic selection for milk production has had a significant influence in determining the α_s1-Cn allelic distribution in goat populations. The direct relationship existing between these allelic variants and differences in the Cn content and in the physico-chemical properties of milk, can be used as a tool in the improvement of milk processing quality and cheese yields of Spanish milking breeds.     

Association between expression of reproductive seasonality and alleles of melatonin receptor 1A in goats

To determine whether a link exists between reproductive seasonality and the structure of the melatonin receptor 1A (MTNR1A) gene, the latter was studied in year-round estrous breeds (Jining Grey and Boer goats) and seasonal estrous breeds (Liaoning Cashmere, Inner Mongolia Cashmere, Wendeng milk and Beijing native goats). A large fragment of exon 2 of MTNR1A gene was amplified by PCR using sheep sense and antisense primers in 260 does of six breeds. The uniform 824 bp PCR product was digested with restriction endonucleases MnII and RsaI, and checked for the presence of restriction sites. No polymorphism at the MnII cleavage sites was detected in all six goat breeds and no relationship could be established between the MnII cleavage sites of MTNR1A gene and reproductive seasonality in goats. For polymorphic RsaI cleavage site at base position 53, only genotype RR (267 bp/267 bp) was detected in Jining Grey goats, both genotype RR and genotype Rr (267 bp/320 bp) were found in all other goat breeds, no genotype rr (320 bp/320 bp) was detected in all six goat breeds. Frequency of genotype RR was obviously higher, and frequency of genotype Rr was obviously lower in year-round estrous goat breeds than in seasonal estrous goat breeds. Sequencing revealed one mutation (G52A) in genotype Rr compared with genotype RR. For polymorphic RsaI cleavage site, the differences of genotype distributions were significant (P<0.05) between year-round estrous goat breeds and seasonal estrous goat breeds. These results preliminarily showed an association between genotype RR and year-round estrus in goats, and an association between genotype Rr and seasonal estrus in goats.     

微卫星DNA标记在绒山羊群体中的初步研究

利用7个微卫星标记对4个绒山羊品种共计18个个体的遗传多样性进行了研究。计算了有效等位基因数、遗传杂合度、遗传距离等,分析了群体相关的遗传变异。结果表明：辽宁多绒山羊的有效等位基因数最大,杂合度最高,而辽宁绒山羊的有效等位基因数最小,杂合度最低;奈氏遗传距离说明：库布旗杂种绒山羊和辽宁多绒山羊的亲缘关系最近,而和阿尔巴斯绒山羊的亲缘关系最远。     

Assessing genetic diversity in Italian goat populations using AFLP® markers

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers were used to investigate the genetic variation in a sample of seven goat (Capra hircus) populations. A total of 210 individuals (30 per population) were analysed using seven selected AFLP primer combinations that produced 219 clear polymorphisms. Four autochthonous goat breeds (Bionda dell'Adamello, Frisa, Orobica and Verzaschese), two primary populations, one from the Lombardy Alps (Val di Livo) and the other from Sardinia island (Sarda) and a reference cosmopolitan breed (Saanen) were included in the analysis. The expected heterozygosity (Het) did not differ significantly among breeds (range 0.21-0.24). No breed specific markers were identified. The variability at AFLP loci was largely maintained within breeds, as indicated by the coefficient of genetic differentiation (Gst) value (0.11). Dice similarities calculated between pairs of individuals belonging to the same or to different breeds largely overlapped. Bootstrapping on markers indicated that the coefficient of variation (CV) of the genetic indexes tested decreases only marginally by adding markers over 100 AFLPs. Cluster analysis based on standard genetic distance between breeds indicates that Sarda is the most distant population, while Bionda, Frisa, Verzaschese and Val di Livo seem to be highly related populations. Interestingly, Saanen is closer than Orobica to the other four goat populations of the Lombardy Alps. Principal co-ordinates analysis based on Dice similarities confirms these observations. Genetic diversity of the goat populations investigated confirms what is expected on the basis of their geographical location. Results from Orobica are not correlated with geographical distances and may reflect undocumented migrations and gene flows and identify an original genetic resource.     

利用微卫星DNA标记研究绒山羊群体遗传多样性

利用7个微卫星标记对4个绒山羊品种共计18个个体的遗传多样性进行了分析和研究。计算了有效等位基因数、遗传杂合度、遗传距离等,分析了群体相关的遗传变异。结果表明,辽宁多绒山羊的有效等位基因数最大,杂合度最高;而辽宁绒山羊的有效等位基因数最小,杂合度最低。奈氏遗传距离表明,库布齐杂种绒山羊和辽宁多绒山羊的亲缘关系最近,而和阿尔巴斯绒山羊的亲缘关系最远。     

Genetic relationships among Spanish sheep using microsatellites

Five indigenous Spanish breeds of sheep, Churra, Latxa, Manchega, Rasa–Aragonesa and Merino, with Awassi sheep as a reference breed were genotyped for 19 DNA microsatellites. Allele frequencies and mean heterozygosities revealed the greatest genetic variation in Merino sheep and the lowest in Awassis. Differences in variability were not great in the other breeds studied. The dendrograms obtained based on genetic distances showed a large differentiation between Awassi sheep and the Spanish breeds, as was to be expected from their distinct genetic origin. Merinos appeared separated from the other four breeds, of which, according to a classification based on the fleece characteristics, Churra and Latxa belong to the churro type and Manchega and Rasa–Aragonesa to the so called entrefino type, though no clear separation was evident between the two types. These results suggest that morphological data alone are insufficient for determining relationships between breeds and that studies involving genetic markers may be of great assistance.     

Genetic Structuring of Nine Indian Domestic Goat Breeds Based on SNPs Identified in IGF-1 Gene

The caprine Insulin like Growth Factor1 (IGF1) gene was analyzed for identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genetic structuring of Indian goat breeds. A panel of 80 samples belonging to nine Indian goat breeds (Capra hircus) including three large sized breeds (Jamunapari, Beetal and Jakhrana); three medium sized breeds (Sirohi, Barbari, and Osmanabadi) and three small sized breeds (Black Bengal, Changthangi, and Gaddi) were screened for SNP identification and diversity analysis. The comparative gene sequence analysis of all the nine goat breeds studied revealed a total of 18 SNPs in IGF1 gene. All the nucleotide changes were found to be synonymous. The mean observed heterozygosity was found to be maximum (0.074) in Sirohi, Beetal, Osmanabadi, and Gaddi breeds of goat, whereas it is found to be minimum (0.019) in Black Bengal breed of goat. The rest of the breeds were intermediate in terms of heterozygosity. The same has been confirmed by allele frequency distribution across the studied loci. Barbari and Gaddi were found to be more differentiated (0.0123), Changthangi and Jamunapari were least differentiated (0.00110) based on Nei's genetic distance.     

Genetic diversity in Swiss goat breeds based on microsatellite analysis

Genetic diversity in eight Swiss goat breeds was estimated using PCR amplification of 20 bovine microsatellites on 20-40 unrelated animals per breed. In addition, the Creole breed from the Caribbean and samples of Ibex and Bezoar goat were included. A total of 352 animals were tested. The bovine microsatellites chosen amplified well in goat. The average heterozygosity within population was higher in domestic goat (0.51-0.58) than in Ibex (0.17) and Bezoar goat (0.19). Twenty-seven per cent of the genetic diversity in the total population could be attributed to differences between the populations. However, with the exclusion of Ibex from the total population, this proportion dropped to 17%. Principal component analysis showed that all Swiss goat breeds are closely related, whereas the Creole breed, Ibex and Bezoar goat are clearly distinct from all eight Swiss breeds.