Novel single nucleotide polymorphism in the prolactin gene of Awassi ewes and its role in the reproductive traits

Tahreer M Al-Thuwaini

doi:10.33899/ijvs.2020.126973.1423

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the genetic variation of the prolactin (PRL) gene in 5' ﬂanking region and its role with several reproductive traits in Awassi sheep. One-hundred six Iraqi sexually mature and healthy Awassi ewes that aged between 2 and 2.5 years were included in this study. Ewes were classified into two the main divisions: ewes producing twins and ewes producing single offspring. Two genotypes (AA and AT) were observed in Awassi sheep. While genotype AA was detected in Awassi ewes that produced twins, genotype AT was detected in ewes that produced a single offspring. The sequencing reactions identified nine SNPs in the prolactin gene at the 5′ flanking region in Awassi sheep, differing from the prolactin reference sequence (GenBank accession number X16641.1). Genotype AT possessed one single nucleotide polymorphism SNP substitute comparison with the AA genotype in Awassi ewes. The association analysis revealed that the AA genotype is characterized by significantly higher levels of the progesterone concentration, twinning ratio, fecundity, and prolificacy than the AT genotype. In conclusion, a new SNP (g.1209 A>T) was discovered within the ovine flanking region which potentially influences prolactin gene expression. These results showed that the genotype AA associated with high prolificacy of Awassi sheep may be used as a selection criterion for improving the reproductive performance of Iraqi Awassi sheep.

Highlights

Sheep (Ovis aries) are a very diverse type of farm animals in their physiological traits involving litter size and prolificacy
A>T) was discovered within the ovine flanking region which potentially influences prolactin gene expression. These results showed that the genotype AA associated with high prolificacy of Awassi sheep may be used as a selection criterion for improving the reproductive performance of Iraqi Awassi sheep
Prolactin gene situated on chromosome 20 in sheep that included five exons separated by four introns [5] which are positioned on chromosome 23 in cattle [6], and situated in birds on chromosome 2 [7]

Summary

Introduction

Sheep (Ovis aries) are a very diverse type of farm animals in their physiological traits involving litter size and prolificacy. These characteristics were found to be attributed to the effect of a single or a closely related group of the genes [1], which stimulated research interest previously [2] and going after this study [3,4]. Ozmen and Kul [11] reported for the first time that 48 SNPs of the PRL gene were investigated by PCR- Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) and sequencing methods for three breeds of sheep (Sakiz, Akkaraman, and Awassi). The polymorphisms of the PRL gene was studied in Barki, Damascus, and Zaraibi goat breeds using RFLP and DNA sequencing methods [4]

Methods

Results

Conclusion