The relationship between the polymorphisms of the cast gene and productive traits in southern meat sheep

Abstract

Using the polymerase chain reaction method with the subsequent analysis of PCR-RFLP restriction fragment length polymorphism, different frequencies of alleles and genotypes of the gene in the calpastatin locus (CAST) were determined. Three genotypes with two alleles with different frequencies were identified in the Southern meat breed subpopulation. In the calpastatin gene locus, the homozygous genotype CAST^MM/^NN dominates – 83%, heterozygous genotype CAST^MN is 17%. Homozygous CAST^MM individuals significantly exceeded heterozygous CAST^MN in live weight from birth to weaning by 17.8%, and at 12 months – by 10.8%, and in wool production – by 10.8%. The ewes of the heterozygous type CAST^MN have demonstrated the best reproductive abilities; they were more multiparous – 64.7% twins and 8.9% triplets.