Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica ›› 2025, Vol. 56 ›› Issue (9): 4315-4327.doi: 10.11843/j.issn.0366-6964.2025.09.016

• Animal Genetics and Breeding • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Genome-Wide Association Study of Body Weight and Body Size Traits In Turpan Black Sheep

BAI Feng1(), MAERZIYA·Yasen 1, AMINIGULI·Abulaizi 1, TENG Wen3, LUO Chunyan1, NAZHAKAITI·Ainiwaner 2, ZHANG Yuntao2, JI Xinmin2, ZHANG Yanhua1,*()   

  1. 1. Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Genetic Breeding and Reproduction of Fleece Sheep, Key Laboratory of Evaluation and Utilization of Livestock and Poultry Resources (Sheep) of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Husbandry, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Husbandry Sciences, Urumqi 830026, China
    2. College of Animal Science and Technology, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China
    3. Toksun County Fengcheng State-run Herding Co., LTD., Turpan 838100, China
  • Received:2025-02-12 Online:2025-09-23 Published:2025-09-30
  • Contact: ZHANG Yanhua E-mail:BF95114@outlook.com;181103221@qq.com

Abstract:

This study aimed to identify candidate genes and molecular markers associated with body weight and body size traits in Turpan black sheep using genome-wide association study (GWAS), thereby providing a scientific basis for genetic breeding and resource development of Turpan black sheep. In this study, 129 healthy male Turpan black sheep aged 1 to 3 years, raised under the uniform conditions, were selected. Phenotypic data for 9 traits were measured: body weight, body height, body length, chest circumference, tube circumference, chest width, chest depth, tail width, and tail length. Peripheral blood samples (5 mL) were collected from the jugular vein using EDTA-K2 anticoagulant vacuum tubes for DNA extraction. Qualified DNA samples underwent genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS). Raw sequencing data were processed, filtered, and annotated using software such as samtools and bcftools.Subsequently, population genetic structure analysis, population stratification assessment, and GWAS were performed using GCTA, TreeBeST, and GEMMA softwares, respectively. Sequencing yielded 160.88 G of raw data. After quality control, 157.87 G of clean data were obtained, identifying 460 766 SNP loci. GWAS detected 74 significant SNPs (P < 10-5) associated with the 9 traits. Annotation revealed 39 candidate genes. Haplotype analysis showed that multiple significant SNPs were located within haplotype blocks. This study identified important genetic loci and candidate genes associated with body weight and body size traits of Turpan black sheep.The findings provide crucial insights for elucidating the genetic mechanisms underlying these traits and lay the foundation for molecular marker-assisted breeding in Turpan black sheep.

Key words: Turpan black sheep, body size traits, genome-wide association study, haplotype analysis

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