Understanding molecular mechanisms of vertebral number of variations on Mongolian sheep using candidate genes analysis

Objective This study aimed to investigate the genetic link between variations in vertebral number and meat production traits, such as body weight and body measurements (body length, body height, heart girth, and shin width) in Mongolian (Bayantsagaan) sheep. Additionally, we examined the association...

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Main Authors: Chimgee Purev, Huiguang Wu, Khosbayar Lkhagva, Odbayar Tumendemberel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Asian-Australasian Association of Animal Production Societies 2025-02-01
Series:Animal Bioscience
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Online Access:http://www.animbiosci.org/upload/pdf/ab-24-0212.pdf
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author Chimgee Purev
Huiguang Wu
Khosbayar Lkhagva
Odbayar Tumendemberel
author_facet Chimgee Purev
Huiguang Wu
Khosbayar Lkhagva
Odbayar Tumendemberel
author_sort Chimgee Purev
collection DOAJ
description Objective This study aimed to investigate the genetic link between variations in vertebral number and meat production traits, such as body weight and body measurements (body length, body height, heart girth, and shin width) in Mongolian (Bayantsagaan) sheep. Additionally, we examined the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate genes, particularly vertnin (VRTN), nuclear receptor subfamily 6, group A, member 1 (NR6A1), and synapse differentiation-inducing 1-like (SYNDIG1L), with vertebral number variations and their potential impact on meat production traits. Methods The study involved 220 Bayantsagaan sheep from Bayantsagaan soum, Tov province, Mongolia, including 104 sheep with extra vertebrae group and 116 individuals with typical vertebral number as the control group. Morphological data, including body weight and body measurements, were collected, and genetic samples were obtained. The impact of vertebral number on morphological traits was estimated using a general linear model. The SNPs in the VRTN, NR6A1, and SYNDIG1L genes were sequenced, and their association with vertebral number was analyzed using one-way analysis of variance. Results Bayantsagaan sheep with extra vertebrae were, on average, 4.45 kg heavier and exhibited higher variability in body size traits compared to the control group. Four polymorphic sites were identified at the VRTN gene, with one polymorphic locus (VRTN1716) showing a significant association with vertebrae number and body size. Sheep with C/C genotype at VRTN1716 locus, had more vertebrae and larger body size compared to other genotypes. Conclusion The findings suggest that variations in vertebral number and VRTN gene polymorphisms are linked to favorable meat production traits in Bayantsagaan sheep. The identified SNP (VRTN1716) associated with vertebral number and body size offers the potential for marker-assisted selection in breeding programs. These results provide valuable insights into the genetic basis of meat production traits in Bayantsagaan sheep and may contribute to the development of more efficient breeding strategies.
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spelling doaj-art-c2c808e112064cc9a220e2e3b876abc32025-01-03T04:14:22ZengAsian-Australasian Association of Animal Production SocietiesAnimal Bioscience2765-01892765-02352025-02-0138224725410.5713/ab.24.021225315Understanding molecular mechanisms of vertebral number of variations on Mongolian sheep using candidate genes analysisChimgee Purev0Huiguang Wu1Khosbayar Lkhagva2Odbayar Tumendemberel3 Technology Incubator, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 13330, Mongolia College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225100, China Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Mongolian National Center of Livestock Genebank, Khongor soum, Darkhan-Uul 45000, Mongolia Fish Genetics Laboratory, Pacific States of Marine Fisheries Commission and Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Eagle, ID 83616, USAObjective This study aimed to investigate the genetic link between variations in vertebral number and meat production traits, such as body weight and body measurements (body length, body height, heart girth, and shin width) in Mongolian (Bayantsagaan) sheep. Additionally, we examined the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate genes, particularly vertnin (VRTN), nuclear receptor subfamily 6, group A, member 1 (NR6A1), and synapse differentiation-inducing 1-like (SYNDIG1L), with vertebral number variations and their potential impact on meat production traits. Methods The study involved 220 Bayantsagaan sheep from Bayantsagaan soum, Tov province, Mongolia, including 104 sheep with extra vertebrae group and 116 individuals with typical vertebral number as the control group. Morphological data, including body weight and body measurements, were collected, and genetic samples were obtained. The impact of vertebral number on morphological traits was estimated using a general linear model. The SNPs in the VRTN, NR6A1, and SYNDIG1L genes were sequenced, and their association with vertebral number was analyzed using one-way analysis of variance. Results Bayantsagaan sheep with extra vertebrae were, on average, 4.45 kg heavier and exhibited higher variability in body size traits compared to the control group. Four polymorphic sites were identified at the VRTN gene, with one polymorphic locus (VRTN1716) showing a significant association with vertebrae number and body size. Sheep with C/C genotype at VRTN1716 locus, had more vertebrae and larger body size compared to other genotypes. Conclusion The findings suggest that variations in vertebral number and VRTN gene polymorphisms are linked to favorable meat production traits in Bayantsagaan sheep. The identified SNP (VRTN1716) associated with vertebral number and body size offers the potential for marker-assisted selection in breeding programs. These results provide valuable insights into the genetic basis of meat production traits in Bayantsagaan sheep and may contribute to the development of more efficient breeding strategies.http://www.animbiosci.org/upload/pdf/ab-24-0212.pdfextra vertebraegenetic associationmongolian sheep gene
spellingShingle Chimgee Purev
Huiguang Wu
Khosbayar Lkhagva
Odbayar Tumendemberel
Understanding molecular mechanisms of vertebral number of variations on Mongolian sheep using candidate genes analysis
Animal Bioscience
extra vertebrae
genetic association
mongolian sheep
gene
title Understanding molecular mechanisms of vertebral number of variations on Mongolian sheep using candidate genes analysis
title_full Understanding molecular mechanisms of vertebral number of variations on Mongolian sheep using candidate genes analysis
title_fullStr Understanding molecular mechanisms of vertebral number of variations on Mongolian sheep using candidate genes analysis
title_full_unstemmed Understanding molecular mechanisms of vertebral number of variations on Mongolian sheep using candidate genes analysis
title_short Understanding molecular mechanisms of vertebral number of variations on Mongolian sheep using candidate genes analysis
title_sort understanding molecular mechanisms of vertebral number of variations on mongolian sheep using candidate genes analysis
topic extra vertebrae
genetic association
mongolian sheep
gene
url http://www.animbiosci.org/upload/pdf/ab-24-0212.pdf
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AT huiguangwu understandingmolecularmechanismsofvertebralnumberofvariationsonmongoliansheepusingcandidategenesanalysis
AT khosbayarlkhagva understandingmolecularmechanismsofvertebralnumberofvariationsonmongoliansheepusingcandidategenesanalysis
AT odbayartumendemberel understandingmolecularmechanismsofvertebralnumberofvariationsonmongoliansheepusingcandidategenesanalysis