Polymorphism in inhibin alpha (INHA) gene is not associated with litter size in Markhoz goats

The present study was aimed to survey the polymorphisms in 2 loci (exon 2) of inhibin alpha (INHA) gene in Markhoz goats. Blood samples collected from 150 female goats were used for extraction of genomic DNA; and 2 fragments related to exon 2 with 332 bp (G567A, P1 locus) and 478 bp (T911C, P2 locus) in length were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR products were subjected to digestion using Bsp143II endonuclease. The results showed that 2 alleles (G and A) with the frequency of 0.526 and 0.473, and 3 genotypes (GG, GA and AA) with the frequency of 0.138, 0.085 and 0.773 were identified for P1 locus in Markhoz goats but P2 locus was monomorphic. Investigation on effect of genotypes in P1 locus on litter size trait showed that P1 locus genotypes had no association with litter size in Markhoz goats. The results demonstrated, for the first time, that polymorphism in a locus in exon 2 of the INHA gene had no significant association with litter size in Markhoz goats.