Mitochondrial DNA T7719G in tRNA-Lys gene affects litter size in Small-tailed Han sheep.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:In farm animals, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) effect on economic performance remains hot-topic for breeding and genetic selection. Here, 53 maternal lineages of Small-tailed Han sheep were used to investigate the association of mitochondrial DNA variations and the lambing litter size. RESULTS:Sequence sweeping of the mitochondrial coding regions discovered 31 non-synonymous mutations, and the association study revealed that T7719G in mtDNA tRNA-Lys gene was associated with litter size (P??0.05). In addition, the nuclear major gene BMPR1B was significantly correlated with litter size in the flock (P??0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Our results highlight mutations of ovine mitochondrial coding genes, suggesting T7719G in tRNA-Lys gene be a potentially useful marker for selection of sheep litter size.

SUBMITTER: Chen X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5385064 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature