Polymorphism in caprine GnRHR gene and association with some reproductive traits in goats

Abstract

In the present study, the polymorphism of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) gene was analysed as a candidate gene for reproductive traits in 90 female goats belonging to Barbari, Sirohi and Black Bengal breed. Two alleles (A and B) and three genotypes (AA, AB and BB), were detected. The frequencies of alleles A and B in three goat breeds ranged 0.52-0.60 and 0.40-0.48, respectively. The gene locus was in Hardy–Weinberg (HW) disequilibrium in Barbari and Sirohi goats where as it is found to be in HW equilibrium in Black Bengal breed at exon 2. The results showed significant (P ≤ 0.01) effect of breed on reproductive traits whereas effect of genotype was not significant. Although the result showed no significant association of genotype with the traits under study, some genotypes showed superiority over others in terms of litter size, age at sexual maturity and first kidding, suggesting that GnRHR gene could serve as a candidate gene. There is however need to further validate the investigation using large sample sizes for the breeds under consideration.