The study involved 127 bulls of two geographically separate strains of Sudanese Baggara zebu catt... more The study involved 127 bulls of two geographically separate strains of Sudanese Baggara zebu cattle (Nyalawi and Mesairi). The target was to investigate two polymorphisms in growth hormone gene (M57764) and insulin like growth factor1 gene (000162.1). PCR-RFLP was used to genotype DNA samples and DNA sequencing was used to check the accuracy of genotyping results using selected samples. Available sequences were analyzed using BioEdit and MEGA6 softwares. Some population genetic measures in the two strains of Baggara zebu cattle were investigated. PCR-RFLP revealed that the two Baggara cattle strains have high genetic similarity at position 2141C>G of the GH1 gene (monomorphic showing the ancestral allele C/C). There were no differences between the two strains at position -472C>T of the IGF-1 gene promoter. The mutant homozygote (TT) was detected in the Mesairi strain only with a frequency of 0.016. The heterozygote (CT) genotype existed in the two strains with low allele frequ...
The association between the ovine calpastatin gene (CAST) genotypes, growth performance and meat ... more The association between the ovine calpastatin gene (CAST) genotypes, growth performance and meat characteristics of Awassi sheep was investigated. Homozygous (MM) and heterozygous (MN) genotypes of the CAST were obtained by RFLP, using Awassi ram lambs (age=7 to 14 days n= 80).A fattening trial was conductedusing 10 ram lambs MspI - of CAST genotypes (5 lambs from each genotype) (homozygous (MM) and heterozygous (MN). Lambs were weighed at the beginning of the experiment and the subsequent weights were measured biweekly before the morning feeding throughout the duration of the experiment. At the end of the fattening period, all lambs were slaughtered to evaluate carcass characteristics and meat quality. The results showed a significant association between CAST genotypes and growth rate and final body weight showing that lambs of the MN genotype had a higher average daily gain and final body weight compared to lambs of the MM genotype. The CAST gene genotypes showed a significant eff...
A Restricted Selection Index was constructed to genetically evaluate animals using a dataset com... more A Restricted Selection Index was constructed to genetically evaluate animals using a dataset composed of body weights of Shami kids at the ages of birth, weaning, and 6-month. The variance-covariance matrix (VCV) was generated and used to estimate genetic parameters for the index construction after adjusting the fixed effects; year, birth month, kid sex, type (single, twin or triplet) of birth, doe age, weights at kidding (KW), birth (BWT) and weaning (WWT) as covariates. General Linear Model and Restricted Maximum Likelihood methods were used to estimate BLUE for fixed effects and variance components for random effects, respectively. BW was 3.6 ± 0.017, WW 16.8 ± 0.10, and weight at 6 months (MWT) was 26.7 ± 0.21 Kg. With the exception of buck origin and doe age, all tested factors significantly affected growth traits. Heritability for BWT, WWT, and MWT was 0.70 ± 0.10, 0.32 ± 0.075, and 0.41 ± 0.12, and repeatability was 0.78, 0.35, and 0.47, respectively. Genetic and phenotypic ...
This study examined the effects of genetic and some non-genetic factors on total milk yield (TMY)... more This study examined the effects of genetic and some non-genetic factors on total milk yield (TMY), test-day milk yield (TDM), pre-weaning (PRMY), and post-weaning milk yield (POMY) using a total of 1167 lactation records of (Damascus) does over the years of 1998 to 2001 at Al-Walla Agricultural Research Station, Ministry of Agriculture. The General Linear Model (GLM) was employed to analyze the data. TMY, TDM, PRMY, and POMY had respective overall averages of 280.3 kg, 1.45 kg, 135.7 kg, and 144.5 kg. Age, doe weight, birth type, and year of kidding all significantly influenced the variables under study. Heritability estimates were 0.22, 0.17, 0.17 and 0.26 for TMY, TDM, PRMY and POMY, respectively. The corresponding estimates of repeatabilities were 0.44, 0.50, 0.32 and 0.33. Genetic correlation between studied traits ranged between 0.52 and 0.91.
Background and Aim: Sudanese desert sheep encompass different sheep breeds named according to the... more Background and Aim: Sudanese desert sheep encompass different sheep breeds named according to the different Sudanese tribes that rear them such as the Dubasi, Shugor, and Watish sheep. The objectives of this study were to screen for G1 point mutation in the polymorphic growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) gene, investigate its association with litter size, and construct the phylogeny of the different tribal breeds that belong to the Sudanese Desert sheep tribal types. Materials and Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood of three tribal Desert sheep breeds (Dubasi, Watish, and Shugor) using the guanidine chloride method. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism with HhaI restriction enzyme and sequencing techniques was used for genotyping the GDF9 locus for possible mutations associated with litter size in the three desert sheep tribal types. Results: G1 mutation in GDF9 caused the replacement of Arginine by Histidine at residue 87. The wild t...
A dairy ration based on sugarcane byproducts (Kenana ration) was compared with a conventional one... more A dairy ration based on sugarcane byproducts (Kenana ration) was compared with a conventional one (control ration), using fourteen dairy cows (Friesian-Kenana crosses) at different parities, under dryland farming conditions in Sudan. The cows were divided into two similar groups, randomly assigned to the two rations, kept in separate barns and individually fed. Alfalfa forage was supplemented to both groups: at 5 kg/cow/day for those on Kenana ration and ad libitum for controls. The trial was laid out as a randomized complete block design in different factorial arrangements and lasted for twenty-one weeks during January-June 2019. Cows on Kenana ration had higher (P<0.01) daily feed intake (P<0.01), lower daily milk yields (15.6 vs. 18.4 liter/cow) and less efficient (P<0.001) in converting feed to milk (FCR 1.300 vs. 0.875 kg feed/liter of milk) compared with those on the control ration. The 3rdparity cows had the highest (P<0.01) milk yields. Alfalfa supplementation wa...
Background and Aim: Milk produced from Awassi sheep is of high nutritive value; its production is... more Background and Aim: Milk produced from Awassi sheep is of high nutritive value; its production is relatively low in Awassi sheep, so the genetic improvement programs targeted milk production and its components are of high importance, especially when using genes that have an important signal to milk traits. This study was aimed at assessing the influence of alpha S1 (CSN1S1) and beta-casein (CSN2) genes genotypes interaction on Awassi ewes milk productivity. Materials and Methods: A total number of 391 milk yield and its composition records (taken through five consecutive years, 2007-2011) of 167 ewes were utilized for this study. DNA samples were extracted from the ewe's blood samples, then the polymerase chain reaction products of alpha S1 (CSN1S1) and beta-casein (CSN2) genes were sequenced. The obtained sequences were analyzed; thereafter, the detected variants were tested for their possible association with milk traits. Results: The CSN1S1 and CSN2 variants allelic frequenci...
Ninety nine Awassi ewes, lambed through the lambing season of 2004 (75 singles and 24 twins) were... more Ninety nine Awassi ewes, lambed through the lambing season of 2004 (75 singles and 24 twins) were used for investigating the effect of some non-genetic factors (sex, type of birth, and ewe weight and parity at lambing) on some placental factors (placental weight and cotyledons number). The relationship between placental traits and litter weight at birth was also investigated. The results shown that ewe age and parity, sex, type of birth and type of birth have significant (P< 0.001) effect on placental traits as well as birth weight of neonates. A highly significant positive correlation was estimated between placental traits (placental weight and cotyledons number) and litter weight at birth. Key wards: Awassi sheep, placental weight, cotyledon number and litter weight at birth.
The present study was conducted on 112 Sudanese Baggara bulls (Nyalawi and Mesairi strains) from ... more The present study was conducted on 112 Sudanese Baggara bulls (Nyalawi and Mesairi strains) from two separate locations in Darfur and Kordofan, Sudan, raised under dryland farming conditions. A single nucleotide polymorphism (C/T) Arg25Cys in exon 2 of the bovine leptin gene (NC_032653.1) was studied and the association of leptin genotypes with meat quality attributes was evaluated for these two Sudanese Baggara cattle strains which comprise the mainstay of Sudan export and local beef trade. The accuracy of genotyping was checked through PCR-RFLP technique followed by DNA sequencing and analyzed using BioEdit, MEGA6 and project Hope softwares. The genotype frequencies for CC, CT and TT genotypes in Nyalawi strain were 37.5, 39.3 and 23.2%, respectively, whereas the respective genotypic frequencies for Mesairi strain were 46.4, 28.6 and 25%. Significant differences (P<0.05) were found in hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, Myofibril fragmentation index (MFI), water holding ca...
Prolificacy data of Romanov sheep breed were retrieved from Sekhra Station (Jordan) through five ... more Prolificacy data of Romanov sheep breed were retrieved from Sekhra Station (Jordan) through five parities. The data were used for studying the effect of Fecundity (FecB), Growth Differentiation Factor 9 (GDF9) and Prolactin genes on the prolificacy of Romanov ewes. GDF9, FecB and Prolactin genes genotypes were investigated in Romanov ewes by using the PCRRFLP technique. The Mixed Model of SAS software was used for analyzing the data. The different gene genotypes and the parity were inserted in the Model as fixed effects while the dams were inserted as Random. Fecundity gene was observed to be monomorphic, the wild type genotype of Fecundity gene was found in the Romanov ewes. Prolactin and GDF9 genes were observed to be polymorphic in Romanov. The results revealed non-significant differences in the prolificacy of the ewes that carry AA and BB of Prolactin gene genotypes. The GDF9 gene genotypes showed significant (P<0.0001) differences in prolificacy. The homozygous MM genotype e...
Background and Aim: The Watish sheep is a strain of desert sheep of smaller size compared to othe... more Background and Aim: The Watish sheep is a strain of desert sheep of smaller size compared to other desert sheep ecotypes, and there is anecdotal evidence that it is endowed with high litter size. The present study was designed for screening for polymorphisms in the known fecundity genes (bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 1B A
Microtia and anotia are hereditary traits characterized by an underdevelopment or complete absenc... more Microtia and anotia are hereditary traits characterized by an underdevelopment or complete absence of the outer ear. These congenital malformations observed in many species can exist as part of various syndromes or as an isolated trait as seen in the fat-tailed Awassi sheep breed. Our study aims to identify the genetic mutations causing microtia in Awassi sheep by DNA sequencing. DNA was extracted from blood samples randomly collected from 84 Awassi sheep (16 earless, 41 short ear and 27 normal ear) across different farms. GATA6 exons 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7, CLRN1 intron 3, DCC intron 2, ECR near HMX1 and the intergenic region between GATA6 and MIB1 genes were screened, amplified and sequenced. Allele and genotype frequencies were calculated by direct counting. Association was performed using chi-squared test for goodness-of-fit. Results showed mutations in only two genes significantly associated with microtia in Awassi: duplication in part of ECR near HMX1 (6:114293121-6:114293196) and a...
Advances in molecular genetics have allowed the identification of genes that can enhance livestoc... more Advances in molecular genetics have allowed the identification of genes that can enhance livestock production. The aim of this study was to investigate possible relationships between the calpastatin (CAST) Hha1 gene polymorphisms and growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality in Awassi sheep. A total of 87 blood samples were collected from two-week-old Awassi ram lambs. The amplification of the CAST Hha1 gene yielded a fragment of 622 bp. Three CAST genotypes were found in Awassi sheep: MM for two fragments (385 bp and 281 bp), MN for three fragments (622 bp, 385 bp, and 281 bp), and NN for only one fragment (622 bp). The M and N allele frequencies of the CAST Hha1 genotypes were 0.765 and 0.235, respectively, while the genotypic frequencies of MM, MN, and NN were 0.586, 0.356, and 0.057, respectively. Based on CAST Hha1 gene polymorphisms, three groups of lambs (MM: n = 8; MN: n = 6; and NN: n = 3 genotypes) were subjected to a fattening period of 70 days to inve...
A participatory animal-breeding program was applied to 9 commercial Awassi sheep flocks in Jordan... more A participatory animal-breeding program was applied to 9 commercial Awassi sheep flocks in Jordan. This study aimed to assess the influence of Beta-lactoglobulin (β-LG), Prolactin (PRL), and Kappa casein (CSN3) genes, genotypes and their interaction on milk production and composition traits of 167 genotyped Awassi ewes via Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) followed by sequencing. Allele frequencies for the two variants were 0.42 and 0.58 for β-LG, 0.82 and 0.18 for PRL, and 0.92 and 0.08 for CSN3. No association was found among β-LG and CSN3 polymorphic genotypes with milk production traits. However, ewes with PRL AA genotype showed higher milk production, β-LG AB was associated with lowest fat%, high solid not fat (SNF)%, protein%, and lactose%. β-LG BB was associated with highest milk density. PRL, β-LG, and CSN3 polymorphic genotypes were differentially associated with milk production and component traits. Furthermore, β-LG × PRL interaction showed the highest milk production and f...
The study involved 127 bulls of two geographically separate strains of Sudanese Baggara zebu catt... more The study involved 127 bulls of two geographically separate strains of Sudanese Baggara zebu cattle (Nyalawi and Mesairi). The target was to investigate two polymorphisms in growth hormone gene (M57764) and insulin like growth factor1 gene (000162.1). PCR-RFLP was used to genotype DNA samples and DNA sequencing was used to check the accuracy of genotyping results using selected samples. Available sequences were analyzed using BioEdit and MEGA6 softwares. Some population genetic measures in the two strains of Baggara zebu cattle were investigated. PCR-RFLP revealed that the two Baggara cattle strains have high genetic similarity at position 2141C>G of the GH1 gene (monomorphic showing the ancestral allele C/C). There were no differences between the two strains at position -472C>T of the IGF-1 gene promoter. The mutant homozygote (TT) was detected in the Mesairi strain only with a frequency of 0.016. The heterozygote (CT) genotype existed in the two strains with low allele frequ...
The association between the ovine calpastatin gene (CAST) genotypes, growth performance and meat ... more The association between the ovine calpastatin gene (CAST) genotypes, growth performance and meat characteristics of Awassi sheep was investigated. Homozygous (MM) and heterozygous (MN) genotypes of the CAST were obtained by RFLP, using Awassi ram lambs (age=7 to 14 days n= 80).A fattening trial was conductedusing 10 ram lambs MspI - of CAST genotypes (5 lambs from each genotype) (homozygous (MM) and heterozygous (MN). Lambs were weighed at the beginning of the experiment and the subsequent weights were measured biweekly before the morning feeding throughout the duration of the experiment. At the end of the fattening period, all lambs were slaughtered to evaluate carcass characteristics and meat quality. The results showed a significant association between CAST genotypes and growth rate and final body weight showing that lambs of the MN genotype had a higher average daily gain and final body weight compared to lambs of the MM genotype. The CAST gene genotypes showed a significant eff...
A Restricted Selection Index was constructed to genetically evaluate animals using a dataset com... more A Restricted Selection Index was constructed to genetically evaluate animals using a dataset composed of body weights of Shami kids at the ages of birth, weaning, and 6-month. The variance-covariance matrix (VCV) was generated and used to estimate genetic parameters for the index construction after adjusting the fixed effects; year, birth month, kid sex, type (single, twin or triplet) of birth, doe age, weights at kidding (KW), birth (BWT) and weaning (WWT) as covariates. General Linear Model and Restricted Maximum Likelihood methods were used to estimate BLUE for fixed effects and variance components for random effects, respectively. BW was 3.6 ± 0.017, WW 16.8 ± 0.10, and weight at 6 months (MWT) was 26.7 ± 0.21 Kg. With the exception of buck origin and doe age, all tested factors significantly affected growth traits. Heritability for BWT, WWT, and MWT was 0.70 ± 0.10, 0.32 ± 0.075, and 0.41 ± 0.12, and repeatability was 0.78, 0.35, and 0.47, respectively. Genetic and phenotypic ...
This study examined the effects of genetic and some non-genetic factors on total milk yield (TMY)... more This study examined the effects of genetic and some non-genetic factors on total milk yield (TMY), test-day milk yield (TDM), pre-weaning (PRMY), and post-weaning milk yield (POMY) using a total of 1167 lactation records of (Damascus) does over the years of 1998 to 2001 at Al-Walla Agricultural Research Station, Ministry of Agriculture. The General Linear Model (GLM) was employed to analyze the data. TMY, TDM, PRMY, and POMY had respective overall averages of 280.3 kg, 1.45 kg, 135.7 kg, and 144.5 kg. Age, doe weight, birth type, and year of kidding all significantly influenced the variables under study. Heritability estimates were 0.22, 0.17, 0.17 and 0.26 for TMY, TDM, PRMY and POMY, respectively. The corresponding estimates of repeatabilities were 0.44, 0.50, 0.32 and 0.33. Genetic correlation between studied traits ranged between 0.52 and 0.91.
Background and Aim: Sudanese desert sheep encompass different sheep breeds named according to the... more Background and Aim: Sudanese desert sheep encompass different sheep breeds named according to the different Sudanese tribes that rear them such as the Dubasi, Shugor, and Watish sheep. The objectives of this study were to screen for G1 point mutation in the polymorphic growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) gene, investigate its association with litter size, and construct the phylogeny of the different tribal breeds that belong to the Sudanese Desert sheep tribal types. Materials and Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood of three tribal Desert sheep breeds (Dubasi, Watish, and Shugor) using the guanidine chloride method. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism with HhaI restriction enzyme and sequencing techniques was used for genotyping the GDF9 locus for possible mutations associated with litter size in the three desert sheep tribal types. Results: G1 mutation in GDF9 caused the replacement of Arginine by Histidine at residue 87. The wild t...
A dairy ration based on sugarcane byproducts (Kenana ration) was compared with a conventional one... more A dairy ration based on sugarcane byproducts (Kenana ration) was compared with a conventional one (control ration), using fourteen dairy cows (Friesian-Kenana crosses) at different parities, under dryland farming conditions in Sudan. The cows were divided into two similar groups, randomly assigned to the two rations, kept in separate barns and individually fed. Alfalfa forage was supplemented to both groups: at 5 kg/cow/day for those on Kenana ration and ad libitum for controls. The trial was laid out as a randomized complete block design in different factorial arrangements and lasted for twenty-one weeks during January-June 2019. Cows on Kenana ration had higher (P<0.01) daily feed intake (P<0.01), lower daily milk yields (15.6 vs. 18.4 liter/cow) and less efficient (P<0.001) in converting feed to milk (FCR 1.300 vs. 0.875 kg feed/liter of milk) compared with those on the control ration. The 3rdparity cows had the highest (P<0.01) milk yields. Alfalfa supplementation wa...
Background and Aim: Milk produced from Awassi sheep is of high nutritive value; its production is... more Background and Aim: Milk produced from Awassi sheep is of high nutritive value; its production is relatively low in Awassi sheep, so the genetic improvement programs targeted milk production and its components are of high importance, especially when using genes that have an important signal to milk traits. This study was aimed at assessing the influence of alpha S1 (CSN1S1) and beta-casein (CSN2) genes genotypes interaction on Awassi ewes milk productivity. Materials and Methods: A total number of 391 milk yield and its composition records (taken through five consecutive years, 2007-2011) of 167 ewes were utilized for this study. DNA samples were extracted from the ewe's blood samples, then the polymerase chain reaction products of alpha S1 (CSN1S1) and beta-casein (CSN2) genes were sequenced. The obtained sequences were analyzed; thereafter, the detected variants were tested for their possible association with milk traits. Results: The CSN1S1 and CSN2 variants allelic frequenci...
Ninety nine Awassi ewes, lambed through the lambing season of 2004 (75 singles and 24 twins) were... more Ninety nine Awassi ewes, lambed through the lambing season of 2004 (75 singles and 24 twins) were used for investigating the effect of some non-genetic factors (sex, type of birth, and ewe weight and parity at lambing) on some placental factors (placental weight and cotyledons number). The relationship between placental traits and litter weight at birth was also investigated. The results shown that ewe age and parity, sex, type of birth and type of birth have significant (P< 0.001) effect on placental traits as well as birth weight of neonates. A highly significant positive correlation was estimated between placental traits (placental weight and cotyledons number) and litter weight at birth. Key wards: Awassi sheep, placental weight, cotyledon number and litter weight at birth.
The present study was conducted on 112 Sudanese Baggara bulls (Nyalawi and Mesairi strains) from ... more The present study was conducted on 112 Sudanese Baggara bulls (Nyalawi and Mesairi strains) from two separate locations in Darfur and Kordofan, Sudan, raised under dryland farming conditions. A single nucleotide polymorphism (C/T) Arg25Cys in exon 2 of the bovine leptin gene (NC_032653.1) was studied and the association of leptin genotypes with meat quality attributes was evaluated for these two Sudanese Baggara cattle strains which comprise the mainstay of Sudan export and local beef trade. The accuracy of genotyping was checked through PCR-RFLP technique followed by DNA sequencing and analyzed using BioEdit, MEGA6 and project Hope softwares. The genotype frequencies for CC, CT and TT genotypes in Nyalawi strain were 37.5, 39.3 and 23.2%, respectively, whereas the respective genotypic frequencies for Mesairi strain were 46.4, 28.6 and 25%. Significant differences (P<0.05) were found in hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, Myofibril fragmentation index (MFI), water holding ca...
Prolificacy data of Romanov sheep breed were retrieved from Sekhra Station (Jordan) through five ... more Prolificacy data of Romanov sheep breed were retrieved from Sekhra Station (Jordan) through five parities. The data were used for studying the effect of Fecundity (FecB), Growth Differentiation Factor 9 (GDF9) and Prolactin genes on the prolificacy of Romanov ewes. GDF9, FecB and Prolactin genes genotypes were investigated in Romanov ewes by using the PCRRFLP technique. The Mixed Model of SAS software was used for analyzing the data. The different gene genotypes and the parity were inserted in the Model as fixed effects while the dams were inserted as Random. Fecundity gene was observed to be monomorphic, the wild type genotype of Fecundity gene was found in the Romanov ewes. Prolactin and GDF9 genes were observed to be polymorphic in Romanov. The results revealed non-significant differences in the prolificacy of the ewes that carry AA and BB of Prolactin gene genotypes. The GDF9 gene genotypes showed significant (P<0.0001) differences in prolificacy. The homozygous MM genotype e...
Background and Aim: The Watish sheep is a strain of desert sheep of smaller size compared to othe... more Background and Aim: The Watish sheep is a strain of desert sheep of smaller size compared to other desert sheep ecotypes, and there is anecdotal evidence that it is endowed with high litter size. The present study was designed for screening for polymorphisms in the known fecundity genes (bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 1B A
Microtia and anotia are hereditary traits characterized by an underdevelopment or complete absenc... more Microtia and anotia are hereditary traits characterized by an underdevelopment or complete absence of the outer ear. These congenital malformations observed in many species can exist as part of various syndromes or as an isolated trait as seen in the fat-tailed Awassi sheep breed. Our study aims to identify the genetic mutations causing microtia in Awassi sheep by DNA sequencing. DNA was extracted from blood samples randomly collected from 84 Awassi sheep (16 earless, 41 short ear and 27 normal ear) across different farms. GATA6 exons 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7, CLRN1 intron 3, DCC intron 2, ECR near HMX1 and the intergenic region between GATA6 and MIB1 genes were screened, amplified and sequenced. Allele and genotype frequencies were calculated by direct counting. Association was performed using chi-squared test for goodness-of-fit. Results showed mutations in only two genes significantly associated with microtia in Awassi: duplication in part of ECR near HMX1 (6:114293121-6:114293196) and a...
Advances in molecular genetics have allowed the identification of genes that can enhance livestoc... more Advances in molecular genetics have allowed the identification of genes that can enhance livestock production. The aim of this study was to investigate possible relationships between the calpastatin (CAST) Hha1 gene polymorphisms and growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality in Awassi sheep. A total of 87 blood samples were collected from two-week-old Awassi ram lambs. The amplification of the CAST Hha1 gene yielded a fragment of 622 bp. Three CAST genotypes were found in Awassi sheep: MM for two fragments (385 bp and 281 bp), MN for three fragments (622 bp, 385 bp, and 281 bp), and NN for only one fragment (622 bp). The M and N allele frequencies of the CAST Hha1 genotypes were 0.765 and 0.235, respectively, while the genotypic frequencies of MM, MN, and NN were 0.586, 0.356, and 0.057, respectively. Based on CAST Hha1 gene polymorphisms, three groups of lambs (MM: n = 8; MN: n = 6; and NN: n = 3 genotypes) were subjected to a fattening period of 70 days to inve...
A participatory animal-breeding program was applied to 9 commercial Awassi sheep flocks in Jordan... more A participatory animal-breeding program was applied to 9 commercial Awassi sheep flocks in Jordan. This study aimed to assess the influence of Beta-lactoglobulin (β-LG), Prolactin (PRL), and Kappa casein (CSN3) genes, genotypes and their interaction on milk production and composition traits of 167 genotyped Awassi ewes via Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) followed by sequencing. Allele frequencies for the two variants were 0.42 and 0.58 for β-LG, 0.82 and 0.18 for PRL, and 0.92 and 0.08 for CSN3. No association was found among β-LG and CSN3 polymorphic genotypes with milk production traits. However, ewes with PRL AA genotype showed higher milk production, β-LG AB was associated with lowest fat%, high solid not fat (SNF)%, protein%, and lactose%. β-LG BB was associated with highest milk density. PRL, β-LG, and CSN3 polymorphic genotypes were differentially associated with milk production and component traits. Furthermore, β-LG × PRL interaction showed the highest milk production and f...
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