Polymerisation effects of four microsatellites on litter size in Xinong Saanen goats.

In this study, the polymerisation effects of four microsatellites (OarAE101, BM1329, BM143 and LSCV043) on litter size in Xinong Saanen goats were analysed by means of microsatellite marker and pedigrees, then associations between combined genotypes and litter size were performed. The results indicate that the individuals with A5A1B10B5C5C1D6D2 (3.10 ± 0.07) had greater litter sizes than those with other combined genotypes in terms of average parity (P < 0.05). Comparing A5A1B10B5C5C1D6D2 with A7A2B10B5C5C1D6D2, the polymerisation effect value of the A5A1 genotype litter size was 18.09% higher than that of the A7A2 genotype. Comparing A5A1B6B1C6C1D6D2 of the F1 generation with A5A1B6B1C7C3D6D2 of the F2 generation, it was shown that the polymerisation effect value of the C6C1 genotype was 37.93% higher than that of the C7C3 genotype. Comparing A5A1B6B1C8C4D4D1 of the F1 generation with A5A1B6B1C8C4D9D5 of the F2 generation, it was shown that the polymerisation effect value of the D4D1 genotype was 68.07% higher than that of the D9D5 genotype. These results suggested that A5A1B10B5C5C1D6D2 is a useful marker affecting caprine litter size. In the goat industry, litter size is extremely important. Polymerisation effects of four microsatellites (OarAE101, BM1329, BM143 and LSCV043) significantly affected litter size of goats. The four microsatellites could serve as a genetic marker for litter size in goat breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]