GROWTH HORMONE POLYMORPHISM AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH MORPHOMETRIC INDICES IN GOATS

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to identify the polymorphism in goat growth hormone gene, and its association with morphometric indices in goats. About 2ml of blood sample was collected from the jugular vein of each goat into tubes that contained EDTA as an anticoagulant, using sterile needle while body measurements were taken with the aid of a measuring scale and tape. The results showed a total of 20 single base variations comprising of 6 deletions and 14 substitutions in the Gghr Gene sequences from the breeds of goats with InsertionDeletion polymorphisms (INDELs) in the different goat breeds in the University of Benin Teaching and research Farm and Aduwawa Community Market. Based on the Position and INDELs, a breeder can select Red Sokoto goat (position at 5-9, deletion of A) and Crossbred (position at 309, mutation of A>C) for breeding improvement program.