Polymorphisms at the five exons of the growth hormone gene in the algarviagoat: possible association with milk traits

The present preliminary study attempts to establish associations between mi lk production traits and genetic polymorphisms at the GH gene in the Algarv ia goat. The DNA of 108 goats of the indigenous Portuguese Algarvia breed w as evaluated. Single-strand conformation polymorphisms (SSCP) were identifi ed at the five exons of the goat growth hormone (gGH) gene. Two conformatio nal patterns were found in each of exons 1 and 2, four in exon 3, six in ex on 4 and five in exon 5. An association between these SSCP patterns with mi lk, fat and protein production, and fat and protein content was examined. P atterns F/F of exon 4 and A/A of exon 5 were positively associated with mil k production (P < 0.05), The results demonstrated that the gGH gene could b e exploited as a candidate gene for marker-assisted selection in goat breed s. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.