POLYMORPHISM OF THE GH, KAP1.3 GENES AND ITS RELATION TO THE WOOL PRODUCTIVITY OF CHERNOZEMELSKY MERINO SHEEP BREED

Abstract

Studying the frequency of occurrence of breeding-significant genotypes of the GH (growth hormone) and KAP1.3 (keratin-associated protein) genes in Chernozemelsky Merino sheep provides unique opportunities for further research in the field of genetics and selection. The aim of the work was to study the relationship between the allelic polymorphism of the GH and KAP1.3 with the wool productivity of Chernozemelsky Merino sheep, which were bred in JSC “Chernozemelsky Breeding Farm” of the Chernozemelsky District of the Republic of Kalmykia. Genotyping was performed by the PCR-RFLP method. The dynamics of live weight was determined based on the results of individual weighing. The study of quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the basic properties of wool was carried out according to common methods. When analyzing the results of DNA genotyping of animals, a low (0.33) frequency of the desired GH^B allele of the growth hormone gene was determined, while the frequency of the desired КАР1.3^Х allele in the keratin-associated protein gene was 0,78. In the studied sample of Chernozemelsky Merino sheep, 11 animals (36,67 %) were carriers of three (GH^ABKAP1.3^XX) selectively significant alleles. The proportion of animals, which were carriers of one (GH^ААKAP1.3^XY) marker allele, was 33,33 % (10 animals). The studies showed that the advantage in terms of qualitative and quantitative characteristics of wool was in young rams and young ewes, which were the carriers of complex genotypes of two genes with four (GH^BBKAP1.3^XX) and three (GH^ABKAP1.3^XX) selectively significant marker alleles. Taking into account the obtained results, it can be assumed that the genetic improvement of Chernozemelsky Merino sheep breed with the use of data on the GH and KAP1.3 genes is a promising area that contributes to improving product quality and, consequently, increasing the economic efficiency of sheep breeding.