Two tagSNPs in the prolactin receptor gene are associated with growth and litter traits in Boer and Macheng Black crossbred goats

Boer and Macheng Black goat breeds were used to detect single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene for the prolactin receptor (PRLR) by DNA sequencing. Thirteen mutations (seven in the exon, four in the intron, and two in the 3′ UTR) were found. We performed comprehensive linkage disequilibrium (LD) and haplotype analyses of the 13 SNPs of PRLR and found that the SNPs were in two LD blocks in 300 F2 hybrids of Boer×Macheng Black goats. Analyses of the tag SNPs indicated that the g.184822G/A and g.185275C/T SNPs were significantly associated with growth traits, and individuals with the combinative genotype GGTT had the lowest levels of some growth traits. Moreover, Individuals with genotype GA had stronger offspring than did individuals with genotype GG at the g.184822G/A locus. This study revealed that PRLR is a promising candidate for the selection of both growth and litter traits in these goats.