Association of IGF-I Gene Polymorphisms with Carcass Traits in Iranian Mehraban Sheep Using SSCP Analysis

Molecular genetics selection on individual genes is a promising method to genetically improve economically important traits in livestock. The insulin like growth factor-I (IGF-I) gene may play important roles in growth of multiple tissues, including muscle cells, cartilage and bone. The objectives of the present study were the estimate the haplotype frequencies of the IGF-I gene polymorphisms in Iranian Mehraban sheep and to determine associations between polymorphisms and carcass traits in 439 individuals. Polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and DNA sequencing methods were employed in screening for genetic variation. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (C114G and G116A) and two amino acid exchange (S5T and G6S) withthree patterns were found in IGF-I gene fragment. Associations of IGF-I patterns with blood cholesterol and blood triglycerides were significant (P