Identification of polymorphism on leptin receptor gene of goats in southwest China

Leptin receptor (LEPR), an important regulator in the endocrine control of body growth, immune function, and reproduction, has gained much interest for its economic value. The good capability of fertility makes it become an ideal candidate gene for reproduction in the livestock industry. Indeed, few nucleotide sequences and variation have been reported about LEPR gene in goats. Herein, the polymorphism of leptin receptor gene was investigated in 484 samples of 10 goat breeds through the analysis of PCR-SSCP. Three novel SNPs (G128T, C270T, and T166C) were identified. Moreover, fixed effects analysis revealed that goats with genotype AB or EF yielded more kids than those with genotype AA or EE (P < 0.05) in Guizhou White and Gulin Ma breed, respectively. Nevertheless, goats in Chuandong White breed displayed no significant difference in litter size. In the trial of birth weight, significant difference only displayed in goats between CC and CD in Chuandong White population (P < 0.05). In principle, those results could be valuable in marker-assisted selection programmers for goat breeding.