Exterior profile of Saanen goats with different genotypes of the <i>SPAG17</i> gene

Abstract

The exterior is formed in the process of growth and development of the animal and is a reflection of the appearance and proportions of the body. Genetic factors play a significant role in the formation of the exterior. The protein sperm-associated antigen 17, encoded by the SPAG17 gene, performs a number of important biological functions in the process of growth and development of the mammalian organism, as well as affecting the growth and development of bones. The aim of our work was to analyze the polymorphic variants (indel) of the SPAG17 gene in connection with the body measurements of mature Saanen goats. The sample included 43 goats aged 3-5 years from one of the breeding farms of the Leningrad region. Phenol extraction was used to isolate DNA samples. Genotyping was performed for rs659761737 (indel 14 bp, intron 22) and rs647063466 (indel 17 bp, intron 47) of the SPAG17 gene by AS-PCR method. Before the start of the breeding season, sexually mature goats of the Saanen breed were once measured with the calculation of body built indices. The analysis of the genotypes and alleles frequency showed that, according to rs659761737 (indel 14 bp), the DD genotype was determined at the level of 0.186, ID - 0.419, and II - 0.395. For rs647063466 (indel 17 bp) of the SPAG17 gene, the opposite pattern was observed. The frequency of DD, ID, and II genotypes was 0.326, 0.512, and 0.163, respectively. Animals with genotype II for rs659761737 (indel 14 bp) of the SPAG17 gene had significantly high metacarpus girth values (p˂0.01), and the individuals with genotype ID for rs647063466 (indel 17 bp) were distinguished by high values of the index of leg height (p˂0.05) and chest index (p˂0.05). The obtained data suggest that the studied SNPs of the SPAG17 gene make a significant contribution to the formation of the exterior profile of the Saanen goats.