PCR-RFLP Polymorphism of Growth Hormone Gene and Its Association with Growth and Morphometric Traits in Ganjam and Baigani Goats of Odisha

Background: Growth Hormone (GH) gene codes for the growth hormone, an anabolic hormone synthesized and secreted by the somatotroph cells of pituitary. Growth hormone influences many processes such as growth, lactation, reproduction and metabolism. Genetic variation in the gene are utilized as markers for selecting animals that are superior in terms growth, production and reproduction traits. Information available on the polymorphism of growth hormone gene of Ganjam and Baigani goats of Odisha is scanty. The current investigation was done to explore the genetic variation of this gene and its association with morphometric traits. Methods: Genetic polymorphism in exon 2 and 3 of Growth hormone gene in Ganjam goat and Baigani goat was explored with sample size of 100 goats for each. The goats belonged to three locations: Khallikote, Rambha, Chattrapur of Ganjam district. The goats were recorded for their body weights, morphometric traits and morphological traits. Genomic DNA was isolated, the target segment comprising exons 2 and 3 was amplified and PCR-RFLP was carried out using Hae III restriction enzyme. Genotypes were scored. Result: PCR of the locus resulted in 422 bp PCR product. PCR-RFLP using Hae III restriction enzyme yielded only two variants in both the populations. The variant A had only one restriction recognition site on the target gene segment yielding two bands with size of 366bp and 56bp whereas the variant B did not have any restriction site with single band of 422bp. Three genotypes AA, AB and BB were found in both the population. In both the population, the gene and genotype frequency were significantly deviated from the Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium frequency. There was a significant difference in the genotype frequencies of growth hormone gene between Ganjam and Baigani goats. The AB genotype had higher mean value for all morphometric traits than AA and BB genotype though the differences were not found to be significant.