Novel variants associated with adiponectin-related traits in Awassi ewes

Abstract

Abstract Background Adipose tissue secretes adiponectin (ADIPOQ), a hormone related to fat oxidation, glucose metabolism, and reproduction. The polymorphism of adiponectin is associated with productive traits in domestic animals. Thus, this study investigated the association of adiponectin gene polymorphism with lipid profile and reproductive hormones in Awassi ewe. In this study, 200 ewes between the ages of 2.5 and 5 years, neither pregnant nor lactating, were included. To determine the lipid profile and reproductive hormones, sera were separated from the blood. DNA extraction, genotyping, and sequencing reactions were used to verify the variants in the amplified fragments (exon 1). Results Three genotypes, CC, CA, and AA, were identified from 368 bp amplicons (exon 1). A sequencing reaction revealed a novel mutation, c.198473337C > A, in the CA genotype. The results revealed significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) in cholesterol and HDL levels in the AA genotype than CC and CA genotypes. The AA genotype had higher estradiol and progesterone levels (50.52 ± 0.64) (pg/ml) and (7.10 ± 0.04) (ng/ml), respectively, than those with the CC and CA genotypes. Conclusions These results conclude that the ADIPOQ gene affects lipid profiles and sex hormone levels in Awassi sheep. Choosing sheep that are polymorphic for the ADIPOQ gene should be a future study, as this gene could be linked to high prolificacy.