Determination of pou1f1 gene polymorphism and its association with production traits in saanen goats

The aim of this study was to determine POU1F1 gene polymorphism and relations between genotypes and milk yield and its components, litter size, birth weight and weaning weight. A total of 108 goats from two different herds (Bornova and Manisa) were used as animal material. The polymorphism at sixth exon and 3 'flanking region of POU1F1 gene was determined using PCR-RFLP with PstI, AluI restriction enzymes and DNA sequencing methods. Two alleles and three genotypes were identified at AluI and PstI loci of POU1F1 gene. TT, TC and CC genotypes frequencies were 64.8%, 31.5% and 3.7% at Pst locus, 54.6%, 31.5% and 13.9% at AluI locus, respectively. T allele frequency (0.56 and 0.88 for AluI locus, 0.80 and 0.81 for PstI locus, respectively) was high in both loci at Bornova and Manisa herds. In terms of POU1F1/AluI and POU1F1/PstI loci, herds were found in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P>0.05). In POU1F1/AluI locus, a significant relation was found between genotypes and lactation milk yield and litter size. Similarly, a significant relation was determined between genotypes and birth weight in POU1F1/PstI locus (P<0.05). TC and CC genotypes were observed to be higher than TT genotype for lactation milk yield and litter size at POU1F1/AluI locus. CC genotype was higher than other genotypes for birth weight at POU1F1/PstI locus. It was concluded that, POU1F1 gene could be used as molecular markers for economic features like reproduction, growth, milk content and yield in goats.