Whole-Genome Sequencing of Dorper × Hu Hybrid Sheep for Screening Selection Signatures Associated with Litter Size.

ABSTRACT: Sheep are an economically important livestock species, and reproductive performance is a key trait affecting productivity. The Dorper × Hu hybrid sheep (DHS), widely bred in China, provides a valuable model for studying the genetic basis of prolificacy. This study aimed to investigate the genomic architecture and identify candidate genes associated with high litter size in DHS using whole-genome selective sweep analysis and genome-wide association study (GWAS). A total of 31 DHS individuals with complete reproductive records were sequenced and compared with publicly available genomic data from 20 Hu sheep (HUS) and 10 Dorper sheep (DPS). Population genetic structure and diversity were assessed using phylogenetic trees, principal component analysis (PCA), and ADMIXTURE analysis. To identify

SUBMITTER: Qiao L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12691249 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature