Novel polymorphisms of goat growth hormone and growth hormone receptor genes and their effects on growth traits

In this study, the polymorphisms of growth hormone (GH) gene 5′ promoter region and intron 8, exons 4 and 10 of growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene were analyzed in Xinong Saanen goats (SG) and Boer goats (BG). Two alleles (A and B) and three genotypes (AA, AB and BB) were detected at P1 locus of GH gene, and two alleles (G and T) and two genotypes (GG and GT) were detected at P4 locus of GHR gene by PCR-SSCP analysis. In addition, two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)-A73C (P1 locus) and G114T (P4 locus), were identified by DNA sequencing. The frequencies of alleles A and B in the two goat breeds were 0.61–0.62, and 0.39–0.38, respectively, and the frequencies of alleles G and T in the two goat breeds were 0.82–0.86, and 0.18–0.14, respectively. The SNP loci were in Hardy–Weinberg disequilibrium in both goat breeds (P < 0.05). Polymorphisms of GH and GHR genes were shown to be associated with growth traits in BG breed. AA and GG genotypes were associated with superior growth traits in 1-, 2- and 3-month old individuals. Hence, AA and GG genotypes are suggested to be a molecular marker for superior growth traits in BG breed.