Analysis of the polymorphisms in the caprine PRDM16, SHH and SF-1 genes and their association with production traits in goats

Genes that regulate metabolism, development and energy partitioning have the potential to influence economically important traits in farm animals, as do polymorphisms within these genes. In the present study, polymorphisms of the caprine PRDM16, SHH and SF-1 genes were detected by PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing methods in 560 individuals from three goat breeds. The results revealed two novel silent mutations (GU363953:1305 G > A and GU363953:1641 A > G) in the caprine PRDM16 gene. The associations of the two SNPs with growth traits were analyzed in 313 Xuhuai goats. The results indicated that GU363953:1641 A > G has remarkable effects on growth traits. Individuals with genotype GG and GA were significantly higher than individuals with genotype AA in body length, chest circumference and body weight (P < 0.05). Moreover, there was a tendency that GG and GA genotype individuals to have higher body height and thicker cannon circumference than AA genotype although no statistic differences presented (P > 0.05). So, we suggested that GU363953:1641 A > G could be a molecular marker in marker-assisted section (MAS). As no mutations was detected in the exons of the caprine SHH and SF-1 genes, we can preliminary eliminate the significant role of the caprine SHH and SF-1 genes in the differences of caprine growth traits.