Effects of ACOT7 gene variants on productive performance in Qiandongnan small Xiang goats.

The Qiandongnan small Xiang goat is an indigenous Chinese breed facing challenges such as decreased genetic diversity and the need for improved production performance. This study examined the ACOT7 gene, analyzing its mRNA expression across different tissues and assessing the associations between its single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and growth, slaughter, and meat quality traits. ACOT7 expression was highest in the longissimus dorsi muscle and lowest in the spleen. Three SNP loci were identified: g.52329 T > C was significantly associated with body length, body height, meat color, pH, and fat content; g.69183 C > T was associated with backfat thickness and meat color; and g.87290 A > G was associated with live weight, net meat weight, backfat thickness, and fat content (P < 0.05). Expression levels varied among genotypes, were tissue-specific, and were influenced by sex. Additionally, the g.52329 T > C locus was linked to fatty acid metabolism. This study provides the first characterization of ACOT7 expression and polymorphisms in Qiandongnan Small Xiang goats, offering insights into its genetic mechanism. These findings support the potential application of ACOT7 in marker-assisted selection to improve production performance and preserve genetic resources in this breed.