Purpose To investigate gene mutation loci related to goat wattles and the effect of wattle on growth and reproduction traits of Nanjiang yellow goat population.
Methods Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected on candidate genes located in Chr 10: 25 Mb-28 Mb. Meanwhile, wattles were sliced and stained to observe its histological structures. We analyzed the correlation between the wattle length and perimeter, and the differences of growth traits including body weight, body length, body height and chest girth, as well as reproductive traits between goats with or without wattles.
Results We failed to confirm any SNP associated with wattles directly. Interestingly, the wattles length located on both sides were significantly positively correlated with each other, so did wattle perimeter (P<0.01), but there was no significant correlation between the length and perimeter (P>0.05). Generally, compared with non-wattle goats, goats with wattles possessed smaller body length and body height especially at newborn (P<0.01), while goats with wattles had smaller chest girth and body weight particularly in later development stage (P<0.01). Nevertheless, the kidding percentage including the first time and the latter showed no significant difference between does with or without wattles (P>0.05).
Conclusion No significant SNP associated with wattle was found in candidate gene area of goat. Wattles are tended to link with lower growth rate of goat mainly embodying in body weight and body size, but wattle trait has insignificant effect on the kidding percentage.
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