Abstract
Karnobat sheep plays an important role in the development of sheep breeding in Southeastern region of Bulgaria. They are valuable source of genetic material. The aim of present experiment was to determine the allele variation of CAST gene in Local Karnobat and Karnobat Merino sheep breeds. A total of 60 blood samples were collected – 30 per breed. DNA was extracted and genotypes of all animals were identified by means of PCR-RFLP technique. The restriction reactions were accomplished by specific enzymeMspI. As expected both breeds were characterized with low level of genetic diversity due to the fact that mostly maintaining selection has been implemented. In Local Karnobat sheep breed was identified only one heterozygous individual from all 30. In Karnobat merino were identified allele M with frequency 0,97 and allele N with frequency 0,03. Genotypes MM and MN were revealed with frequencies 0,93 and 0,07, respectively. According to the statistical analysis both breeds were in HWE equilibrium.
Highlights
Sheep farming is an economically important industry for agriculture
The present study was aimed to investigate the genetic polymorphism of the calpastatin gene (CAST) gene in 60 ewes of one local and one merino sheep breed – Local Karnobat and Karnobat merino
The present experiment was conducted with a total of 60 ewes belonging to two sheep breeds from the Institute of Agriculture, Karnobat – 30 animals from Local Karnobat breed and 30 animals from composite Karnobat Merino breed
Summary
Sheep farming is an economically important industry for agriculture. Sheep breeding efficiency is directly affected by the quality and quantity of produced meat. The application of new methods based on DNA technologies allows to make sheep breeding a modern, competitive and profitable industry [4] In this regard, DNA methods based on the latest advances in molecular genetics are increasingly used to assess the genotype of breeding animals [5]. One of the promising markers for growth intensity and meat quality in sheep is the calpastatin gene (CAST) [6, 7]. The presence of polymorphism in the locus of the calpastatin gene indicates that the quality of meat in the studied breeds of animals can be improved by applying an appropriate breeding program. The present study was aimed to investigate the genetic polymorphism of the CAST gene in 60 ewes of one local and one merino sheep breed – Local Karnobat and Karnobat merino
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
