NOVEL ASSOCIATION BETWEEN GnRHR GENE AND GROWTH TRAITS IN AWASSI AND KARAKUL SHEEP

This study was conducted to investigate the association of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptor (GnRHR) gene with growth traits in Awassi (n= 123) and Karakul 78) sheep. Starting from birth-day 12 months age, several were investigated, namely body weight length, wither rump height, chest, abdominal circumferences. Four fragments designed amplify three exons GnRHR gene, P1 P2 for exon 1, P3 2, P4 3. The polymorphisms these amplicons analyzed by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) method. Genotypic allele frequency computed after sequence alignment. results detected two different SSCP banding patterns GG GA both amplicons, novel mutations observed genotype respectively, p.N87= p.L242F. identified exhibited no relationship all measured traits, while p.L242F showed significant weight, circumference month-6 month-9. increasingly month-12 which individuals higher measurements than (P < 0.01). In conclusion, exon-2 may be useful marker-assisted selection breeds. is first one describe effect on confirm potential usefulness this