Melatonin receptor 1A (MTNR1A) gene polymorphisms in the local goat population in South Sulawesi region of Indonesia

Abstract

Some important genes are involved in controlling the reproductive trait of goats, one of which is the Melatonin Receptor 1A (MTNR1A) gene. The MTNR1A gene is known with seasonal reproductive activity and related to lambing frequency in the goat. The purpose of this research was to determine the genetic polymorphisms of the MTNR1A gene in Kacang, and Peranakan Ottawa (PE) goat population reared traditionally in South Sulawesi region of Indonesia. In total 253 heads of goat consist of 137 heads of Kacang and 116 Peranakan Ottawa from South, Sulawesi region was used as research samples for blood collection. The blood samples were collected from the jugular vein, which was then continued for DNA extracted by using a DNA extraction kit. The MTNR1A genotype was identified by PCR-RFLP technique using restriction enzyme RsaI. The result showed that there was genetic diversity in the MTNR1A gene in Kacang and PE population with the obtained of two alleles R and r. The common allele was R with frequency 0.93 in Kacang population while in PE population was 0.89. The r allele was 0.06 and 0.10 in Kacang and PE population, respectively. The most common genotype found in the population was RR (0.95), while Rr was only 0.05 and rr genotype did not found in this population. Observed heterozygosity value was 0.05. According to the Hardy-Weinberg test, this population was in equilibrium for MTNR1A gene. In conclusion, this finding indicated that there was genetic diversity exists in local goat population, and future research needed to find any association with this genetic variation with reproductive performance, the data obtained from this study could be used for the strategic program in goat breeding to increase reproductive performance of local goat especially fertility traits.