Effect of IGF-1 and GH Genes Polymorphism on Weights and Body Measurements of Awassi Lambs in Different Ages

Abstract

The study was carried on 68 ewes of local Awassi sheep in the Al-Kafeel sheep station Karbala governorate, Iraq for the period from 1/10/2017 to 1/8/2018. Genetic analysis was carried out in the molecular genetics laboratory at the College of Agriculture / Basrah University in order to extract (DNA) and determine the genotype of the IGF-1(Insulin-like growth factor 1) and GH (Growth Hormone) genes. This study aimed to know the association between the genotype of the ewes of IGF-1 and GH genes and their relationship to the productive traits of the lambs, which included the weights of lambs from birth to weaning and body measurements, Three of the genotypes for IGF-1 were revealed AG, GC, CC and two for GH CT, TC . The effect of IGF-1 genotypes was significant (P<0.05) on weights of lambs at weaning, age 6 months and some body measurements with superior genotype GC. The genotypes of GH had a significant effect on the weight of the lambs at birth by CT superiority. While the weights of weaning, six months and body measurements were not significantly affected by different genotypes.