Indian Journal of Animal Research
SCOPUSWeb of Science
  • Year: 2026
  • Volume: 59
  • Issue: SPL

Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Gene Sequence Variations in Bapedi Sheep and Their Association with Morphometric Traits

  • Author:
  • Thabang Sako1, Thobela Louis Tyasi1*, Jones Ng’ambi2, Thomas Raphulu3, Julius Sebei3, Kabelo Madia3
  • Total Page Count: 6
  • Page Number: 30 to 35

1Department of Agricultural Economics and Animal Production, School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga, 0727, Limpopo, South Africa.

2Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, University of South Africa, Florida Science Campus, Private Bag X6, Florida1710, South Africa.

3Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mara Research Station, Private Bag X2467, Makhado, 0920, South Africa.

*Corresponding Author: Thobela Louis Tyasi, Department of Agricultural Economics and Animal Production, School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga, 0727, Limpopo, South Africa. Email: louis.tyasi@ul.ac.za

Abstract

The study was conducted to identify the Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) gene polymorphism and its association with morphometric traits in Bapedi sheep breed in the Limpopo Province of South Africa.

Blood samples were collected from hundred and twenty-seven (n = 127) South African Bapedi sheep aged between 1 to 5 years. The Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted, amplified, and sequenced for the IGF1 gene. DNA sequencing was used to identify the sequence variations of the IGF1 gene in South African Bapedi sheep.

The results showed that two nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the IGF1 gene in 5’ flanking region positions 855G>C and 857>A were identified. Two genotypes (GG and GC) and (AA and AB) were discovered from each of the identified SNP. The results also indicated that the used population was not in the Hady-Weinberg Equilibrium. Marker trait association findings for SNPs 855G>C and 857>A showed that there was statistical relationship between the genotypes with body weight, heart girth, withers height, sternum height, rump height and body length. Dominant genotype GG and AA had the highest impact on all the traits. IGF1 gene at 5’ flanking region of Bapedi sheep had SNPs (855G>C and 857>A) at positions 855 and 857 bp with two genotypes each (GG and GC) and (AA and AB), respectively. Therefore, genotype GG of SNP 855G>C and genotype AA of SNP 857>A of IGF1 gene might be used as a genetic marker when improving morphometric traits.

Keywords

DNA sequencing, Genotypes, Indigenous sheep, Polymorphisms, Withers height