Association entre les polymorphismes exons 1 et 3 du gène de la myostatine et les caractères morphologiques de la race chèvre rouge du Sokoto nigérian

Exons of genes control the genetic information that is transcribed and translated to the protein product that produces, directly or indirectly, observed phenotypes of traits. The need for the availability of genetic information, in relation to those loci which affect performance traits may be important tools in breeding programme. The research focused on the genetic, amplification and sequencing of myostatin gene from the blood of Red Sokoto goat breed of Nigeria and association with morphological traits. Morphological traits including the body weight, withers height, body length and chest depth were evaluated using simple standard equipment. The result from sequencing of myostatin gene exons 1 and 3 from extensively managed Red Sokoto goat revealed that exons 1 and 3 regions are polymorphic, with exon 1 being more polymorphic. Three of the obtained five non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms in exon 1 had possible non-neutral effects on protein function. Conversely, one non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms found in exon 3 had possible neutral effect on protein function. Logistic regression revealed one non-synonymous variant at the myostatin gene exon 1 region was associated with body length in extensively managed Red Sokoto goat. This preliminary study on the myostatin gene in Nigerian Red Sokoto goat breed bridged a lack by the provision of valuable reference on the myostatin gene and / or its intervening regions for example exons 1 and 3. Such knowledge would be helpful in further breeding selection strategy and present valuable resources for future studies of goat genomics.