Association of the caprine calpastatin MspI polymorphism with growth and reproduction traits in Saanen goats

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of calpastatin (CAST) MspI polymorphism on some growth and reproduction traits, including birth weight, first breeding litter size, average daily weight gain in Saanen goats. In this sense, blood samples obtained from 73 purebred female goats were used for genotyping. Genomic DNA isolated by phenol-chloroform method determine CAST genotypes, MM, MN, NN, means PCR-RFLP method. The population genetic parameters estimated based allelic distribution data statistically analysed using analysis variance (ANOVA) a general linear model (GLM). Results revealed that N allele frequency remarkably high (0.64) MM genotype not present. heterozygous 59.62%. Concerning ANOVA results, significant differences found between genotypes locus concerning (P<0.05). respect, animals with NN associated higher (2.85±0.29 kg) compared (2.53±0.24 kg). There no association marker any remaining phenotypic traits evaluated. present results suggest focusing genomic region may be particularly useful improving which can considered as an early indicator post-weaning animal survival.