Association Between Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in the Ovine DGAT1 Gene and Carcass Traits in Two Iranian Sheep Breeds

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at 16–17 exon of DGAT1 gene in Lori-Bakhtiari sheep (LB) and Zel sheep (Z) breeds and provide a foundation for studying the relationship of DGAT1 gene with some carcass traits and the genetic relationship between LB sheep and Z sheep breeds. A total of 309 sheep were slaughtered and the carcass weight, backfat thickness, fat-tail weight, fat-tail percentage, dressing percentage, and dressing percentage adjusted to fat-tail weight were measured. Single nucleotide polymorphism was detected by comparing sequences of PCR products, and the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique was adopted for genotyping. The results of PCR-RFLP analysis showed that the SNP had three genotypes of TT (272 and 37 bp), TC (309, 272, and 37 bp), and CC (309 bp), in which TT was the predominant genotype and allele T was predominant allele in LB and Z sheep breeds. At the DGAT1 locus, CC sheep showed the significantly greater fat-tail weight (P < 0.05) and backfat thickness (P < 0.01). The results of this study demonstrate novel associations in which the C allele had a positive effect on fat-tail weight and backfat thickness in fat-tailed sheep.