A comparative study of SINE insertion together with a mutation in the first intron of follicle stimulating hormone beta gene in indigenous pigs of India.

The Follicle stimulating hormone beta polypeptide (FSHß) gene has been investigated as a candidate gene for litter size because of its role in maturation of small and medium follicles into ovulating large follicles. Genes coding follicle stimulating hormone have been found to have significant effects on litter size in pigs. The aim of the study was to investigate the polymorphism of the first intron of FSH-ß gene present in Ghungroo, Niang Megha and Nagaland local pigs of India. PCR based short interspersed nuclear elements (SINE) detection method and PCR-RFLP were carried out to identify the polymorphism in FSHß gene. Significantly higher frequencies of SINE-/- and SINE+/- genotypes were observed in Ghungroo pigs as compared to Niang Megha and Nagaland local pigs. PCR-RFLP study also showed higher frequency of T allele in all the three breeds even though there existed difference in genotypes among breeds. Association studies clearly demonstrated that SINE-/- genotypes have significantly higher litter size and weight at birth as well as at weaning. SINE -/- genotypes have higher number of live births too. Moderately high D' value indicates that haplotypic pattern within the two loci can be utilized for marker assisted selection for litter traits in pigs.

Polymorphism and nucleotide sequencing of BMPR1B gene in prolific Assam hill goat.

Assam hill goat (Capra hircus) is a prolific local goat in India. bone morphogenetic protein receptor (BMPR1B) gene was studied as a candidate gene for the prolificacy of goats. The objective of the present study was to detect the incidence of mutation in the exonic region of BMPR1B gene of Assam hill goat. Total 90 blood samples were collected randomly from different parts of Assam and genomic DNA were extracted using phenol-chloroform method. The quantity and quality of extracted DNA was examined by spectrophotometry and gel electrophoresis, respectively. PCR amplicon showed a product of 140 bp fragment of BMPR1B gene. The purified product upon digestion with AvaII showed monomorphic banding pattern and revealed wild type alleles with AA genotype. Nucleotide sequencing showed one new mutation 773 (G→C) which is found to be unique in Assam hill goat. Construction of tree at nucleotide level generates from the present experiment lies in common cluster which differs from the other breeds of goat. The analysis of polymorphism for BMPR1B in Assam hill goat indicates that the genetic factor responsible for prolificacy or multiple kidding rates is not related to the reported mutated alleles of BMPR1B gene. Therefore, attempts to be made to detect other SNPs for BMPR1B gene or otherwise effort should be made towards other fecundity gene which might be responsible for the prolificacy of Assam hill goat.