Molecular Genetic Markers in Goat Breeding

Abstract

Introduction. The study of the genetic structure of the goat population by candidate genes associated with indicators of animal development and milk productivity is a promising direction, because the developing industry requires the introduction of advanced research methods. The use of methods of molecular genetic analysis can supplement breeding work to create optimally productive herds. In this connection, research is actively being conducted to study the influence of milk protein and hormone gene polymorphisms on milk productivity.
 Materials and methods of research. This work was carried out as a search for molecular genetic markers of productive traits in goat breeding, based on research in the world scientific literature on this topic.
 Research results. Goat breeding is an important branch of world animal husbandry. Goats are bred in all parts of the world, but the distribution of breeds in terms of productivity varies depending on the consumption tradition. For example, Europe is characterized by a predominance of dairy breeds, in Asia combined breeds, and in Africa meat breeds of goats are most often bred. The largest population of goats is kept in Asia and Africa. Significant producers of goat milk in the world are India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sudan. Global production of goat meat has increased by 41.66% over the past few years. Asia has the largest contribution to total meat production (70.7%). The leader in meat production is China, which produces 35.89% of goat meat from the entire world production. Goat breeding is widespread due to the ability of small cattle to easily adapt to different management systems and the ability to adapt to various climatic conditions and features of the terrain. A review of the world scientific literature confirms the fact that countries with significant demographic growth are most interested in selection work in goat breeding, taking into account genotyping by allelic variants of candidate genes for productive traits.
 Conclusions. As a result of the work, two proteins associated with quality indicators of milk were selected as candidate genes for productive traits: kappa-casein and beta-lactoglobulin, and two hormones that indirectly affect the growth and development of animals: leptin and somatotropin. The article briefly describes their functions in the body and the localization of the corresponding loci in the genome of animals. These markers are widely used for researching populations of cattle, goats and sheep in the world. This search for molecular genetic markers is aimed at carrying out similar studies in Ukraine to promote selection work in goat breeding.