A SEARCH FOR GENOMIC VARIANTS ASSOCIATED WITH BODY WEIGHT IN SHEEP BASED ON HIGH DENSITY SNP GENOTYPES ANALYSIS

Body weight is one of the most important economically useful traits, which characterized by complex inheritance. Therefore, a search for genetic mechanisms affecting its formation increased scientific interest. This work presents first time results genome-wide association studies in resource population sheep (Ovis aries) from backcross (Romanov × Katah-din) Romanov family, whose body was recorded age dynamics, and SNP profiles were obtained using high-density DNA chip. We identified 38 SNPs significantly associated with (p < 0.00001) functional candidate genes affect skeletal muscle growth, bone scaffold formation, lipid, carbohydrate metabolism. In addition, age-related changes set significant are shown. Our aim to genomic variants that Katahdin) backcrosses at different periods. The study performed on 95 family (Ernst Federal Research Center Animal Husbandry, 2018-2021). Ear notch samples taken extraction DNA, isolated DNA-Extran-2 kits (Syntol LLC, Russia). Animals genotyped chip Ovine Infinium® HD BeadChip (Illumina, Inc., USA) containing ~600 thousand markers. ages 6(BW6), 42(BW42), 90(BW90), 180(BW180) 270 days (BW270). To associations weight, we used regression analysis implemented PLINK 1.90 (--assoc --adjust --qt-means). confirm effect identify regions genome studied sheep, test check null hypotheses according Bonferroni threshold value p 1.09×10-7, 0.05/459868. located region VEP (Ensembl Variant Effect Predictor) tool Ensembl browser 103 (https://www.ensembl.org/index.html). After quality control, 459,868 perform (GWAS). Average weights sample 3.28±0.07, 8.03±0.21, 13.74±0.39, 20.19±0.51, 22.51±0.50 kg 6, 42, 90, 180, days, respectively. found periods integral indicator growth rate, animal different. Thus, out SNPs, 18 OAR2, OAR4, OAR9, OAR15 reliably BW6 0.00001); 3 OAR6 OAR11 BW42 2 OAR10 OAR19 BW90 6 OAR1 OAR13 BW180 BW270 (p < 0.00001). Blocks 3-5 OAR1, OAR5. Significance levels six including oar3_OAR4_87887519 7.13×10-8), oar3_OAR4_87889243(p 1.51×10-7), oar3_OAR9_89145258 4.95×10-7), oar3_OAR1_192662599 4.79×10-7), OAR1_208070059.1 4.79×10-7) oar3_OAR13_31446454 6.84×10-7) exceeded GWAS 1.09×10-7). Along known new effects this trait have not been previously reported. annotation candidates showed presence frame data will be development marker selection programs breeding.