Identification of Signatures of Selection for Litter Size and Pubertal Initiation in Two Sheep Populations.

ABSTRACT: Fecundity is an important economic trait in sheep that directly affects their economic and productive efficiency. Our study aimed to identify SNP loci associated with sheep puberty or litter size which could be used in future breeding programs to improve fertility. Genomic DNA was obtained from Hetian and Cele Black sheep breeds and used for reduced-representation genome sequencing to identify SNP loci associated with pubertal initiation and litter size. Selective signatures analysis was performed based on the fixation index and nucleotide diversity, followed by pathway analysis of the genes contained in the selected regions. The selected SNP loci in the genes associated with pubertal initiation and litter size were validated using both sheep breeds. In total, 384,718 high quality SNPs wer

SUBMITTER: Zhang Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9559472 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature