Genetic variability of growth hormone gene and its association with growth traits in Sirohi breed of goat

Abstract

Genetic variations in the caprine growth hormone (c-GH. Gene) were investigated by single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of 8 amplified fragments covering almost the entire gene (approx 2.5 kb) in 188 Sirohi goats and was associated with body weights at birth, 3, 6 and 9 months of age. SSCP analysis revealed 4 to 8 unique banding patterns across 8 studied fragments of GH. The promoter and region having exon 3 showed higher level of polymorphism with 8 variants. The fragments consisting of exon 1, exon 4 and exon 5 revealed 6 variants. SSCP patterns in the promoter region had significantly influenced the birth weight. The SSCP variants in fragments consisting of exonic regions had also influenced the body weight at different ages in breed of goat. SSCP analysis has indicated the possibility of marker assisted selection for higher body weight at different ages in Sirohi breed of goat.