Genetic polymorphism in melatonin receptor 1A and arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase and its impact on seasonal reproduction in Egyptian sheep breeds
<p>This study was carried out to detect polymorphisms in the melatonin receptor 1A (MTNR1A) and arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AA-NAT) genes and their association with reproductive traits. Blood samples of 126 animals from three Egyptian sheep breeds were collected. DNA was extracted and...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2018-12-01
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| Series: | Archives Animal Breeding |
| Online Access: | https://www.arch-anim-breed.net/61/505/2018/aab-61-505-2018.pdf |
| Summary: | <p>This study was carried out to detect polymorphisms in the
melatonin receptor 1A (MTNR1A) and arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AA-NAT) genes and
their association with reproductive traits. Blood samples of 126 animals from three
Egyptian sheep breeds were collected. DNA was extracted and subjected to PCR restriction
fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis using the RsaI and SmaI enzymes. Two alleles
(C and T) and three genotypes (CC, CT and TT) for MTNR1A and for AA-NAT (A and G; GG, GA
and AA) were detected. The alleles C and A and the genotypes CT and GA showed the highest
frequencies for the MTNR1A and AA-NAT genes, respectively. Association analysis of the
MTNR1A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with ewe reproductive traits revealed
significant associations in the Ossimi and Rahmani breeds with age at
first lambing, and the C allele seemed to be the favorable allele. The results for the
AA-NAT SNP demonstrated significant correlations in Ossimi with age at first lambing and
litter size and in Rahmani with lambing interval; the G allele seemed to be the desirable
allele. In the first conception season, ewes carrying CT exhibited a significantly lower
age of first lambing in the unfavorable season. Additionally, GG ewes exhibited a
significantly lower age of first lambing in the early favorable season, followed by the
unfavorable season. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of these
associations in Egyptian sheep breeds. In conclusion, the polymorphisms revealed in this
study could be used as genetic markers to improve reproductive efficiency during the
unfavorable season, and the obtained desirable genotypes could be considered in new
genetic selection schemes.</p> |
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| ISSN: | 0003-9438 2363-9822 |