Detecting Polymorphisms of Mutation (C519T) Sit 112480 of Gene Foxo3 and its Associations with Reproductive Performance of Awassi Sheep

Abstract

Abstract The current study was conducted on a sample of 45 local Awassi ewe, with ages ranging from 2-4 years. These ewes produced 54 newborns, and the ages and weights of these newborns were monitored from birth until the sixth month of life for the period from 1/5/2022 to 6/25/2022 at Al-Fayhaa Sheep Station / Babylon Agricultural Directorate / Ministry of Agriculture. As for laboratory analyzes, they were conducted in the laboratories of the Scientific Advancement Company for Molecular Genetics for the period from 1/5/2022 to 6/25/2022. For the purpose of extracting DNA material, and determining the genotypes of the Foxo3 gene through the genotype of the mutation (Sit 112480)) T519C and studying the effect of this mutation on the studied characteristics, which are daily milk production (DMY), milk components, growth characteristics of lambs (different weights and ages), the rate of weight gain between weights mentioned above, growth rate, live mothers’ weights, mothers’ body dimensions, type of delivery (twins or singles). This formed mutation, which was found in the second segment of exon No. 2 of the Foxo3 gene, was amplified with a size of 420 bp N-hall using the nucleotide sequencing technique. This mutation produced three genotypes (TT, TC, and CC), and the ratios of genotypes were (0.00, 53.66, 46.34), sequentially. The variance between these ratios was highly significant (p≤0.01), and the allelic frequency was 0.27, 0.73 for both the T and C alleles. It was clear from the results that the effect of the different genotypes of the Foxo3 gene was not significant for the characteristic of daily milk production, and some other components of milk except for the percentage of fat were significant (p≤0.05). Weight between birth weight and weaning weight, and the results also show that there are significant differences for the type of birth characteristic (P≤0.05). There were no significant differences in the different genotypes of the Foxo3 gene for the characteristics represented by the body dimensions of the mothers and the live weight of the mothers, as well as the growth characteristics of the lambs, which are represented by the weight for the first three months of life and the rate of weight gain between them. It can be concluded from the previous results of this study the possibility of adopting the distinct genotypes of the Foxo3 gene for this genotype in the genetic improvement programs of the studied Awassi sheep to obtain the best economic return by selecting and cross-crossing the distinct genotypes in the characteristics that achieved the best ratios as well as the weight rates.