Association of polymorphisms in the ovine Leptin gene with body weight and body measurement traits in Balkhi sheep.

The leptin gene was studied as a marker for productive traits in Balkhi sheep. A total of 60 blood samples were collected from Balkhi sheep, and body measurements and weights were recorded. In the CDS (coding sequence) region of the Leptin gene, a 471 bp fragment was amplified by PCR with a pair of (forward and reverse) specific primers. Two novel SNPs were detected at positions (g.348 G > T) and (g.394 G > A). The highest genotypic frequency at position g.348 G > T was found for genotype GG (71.67%), followed by GT (20.00%), and TT exhibited the lowest frequency (8.33%). A similar pattern was observed for SNP2 at g.394 G > A, with the same genotypic frequencies: GG (75%), GA (18.33%), and AA (6.67%). In SNP1, the frequency of the G allele was highest in the population, at 81.67%, and the T allele was 18.33%. Similarly, in SNP2, the G allele was 84.17%, and the A allele was 15.83%. Both SNPs were significantly associated with some economically important body measurement traits. The results of this study can be concluded that, among the three genotypes of SNP1 (g. 348G > T) and SNP2 (g. 394G > A), the TT and AA genotypes could be used for the traits of economic importance like body length, fat-tail thickness, fat-tail length, and withers height in Balkhi sheep through marker-assisted selection for future breeding programs.