Evaluation of Two SNP Markers in DPPA2 and SYTL3 Genes for Association with Host Response against Visna/Maedi Infection in Turkish Sheep

Abstract

Visna/maedi (VM) is an incurable viral disease of sheep causing serious production losses across the globe. Classical control measures against VM such as screening and culling are costly and time-consuming. Breeding VM resistant sheep could provide an opportunity for struggling with the VM and decreasing the economic loss. In this study, we aimed to investigate possible associations between two previously reported single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ovine DPPA2 and SYTL3 genes and VM serostatus, and evaluate implementation of selective breeding strategies against VM in Karacabey merino, Kivircik, Imroz, and composite breeds; Bandirma, Hampshire crosses (HAMP), Ramlic and Black-headed German mutton crosses (SBA) which are reared in Marmara region of Turkey. For this purpose, we genotyped the sheep which VM serostatus were determined previously. The genotyping results showed that these SNPs in the DPPA2 and SYTL3 genes are polymorphic. We have conducted an association analysis with an experimental design using case-control matched pairs. Finally, a power analysis was performed to determine the power of the statistical analysis. According to our findings, within our detection limits (the minimum odds ratio 2.5 to 2.8; CI 95; statistical power 0.96; p-value < 0.05), there was no significant association between the SNPs in the DPPA2 and SYTL3 genes and VM serostatus. Therefore, these SNP markers are not useful to selective breeding against VM in Turkish sheep.