Characterization of Exon 2 and Intron 2 of Leptin Gene in Native Anatolian Goat Breeds

Studies performed on farm animals like cattle and pig have shown that there has been a relationship between leptin gene (LEP) and carcass meat quality, milk production and content, and economic parameters such as reproduction and food consumption. There has been scarce research conducted related to leptin gene of sheep and especially goat. The aim of the study is to reveal the genetic structures of goats living in Turkey through nucleotide sequence analysis in targeted zones of LEP gene Exon 2 and Intron 2 of Anatolian Black, Kilis and Angora goat breeds which are commonly fed in Anatolia. According to the sequence analysis results of each three breeds, Anatolian Black goat breed have the highest haplotype number with nucleotide and haplotype diversity both in exon 2 and intron 2. There was only one haplotype found in both exon 2 and intron 2 in Angora goat breed. There was no nucleotide diversity found in individuals belonging to Angora goat breed. Taking the regions analyzed for LEP gene into consideration, it is seen that Anatolian Black goat breed has the highest genetic diversity among other goat breeds fed in Anatolia. Future studies upon the LEP gene in goats should take into account of increasing the sample size and of base in order to obtain more useful information for better understanding the gene structure.