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2025 Vol.1, Issue 4 Preview Page

Research Article

Polymorphism of the agouti signaling protein (ASIP) and calpastatin (CAST) genes in some Mongolian sheep using PCR-RFLP
Enkhmaa Shiikhar13
,
Ariunbold Toos Turto2
,
Ulambayar Temuujin1
,
Goomaral Altansukh1
,
Enkhchimeg Vanjildorj1
,
Badamsuren Batsukh1*
1Department of Biotechnology and Breeding, Mongolian University of Life Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 17024, Mongolia
2Department of Animal Husbandry and Technology, Mongolian University of Life Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 17024, Mongolia
3Department of Pharmacy and Biomedicine, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Dornogobi Province 44105, Mongolia
*Corresponding Author
31 December 2025. pp. 193-201
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Abstract

Mongolian sheep are valuable genetic resources adapted to harsh environments, with economically important traits such as coat color and meat quality influenced by genetic variation. This study analyzed polymorphisms of the agouti signaling protein (ASIP) and calpastatin (CAST) genes in Mongolian sheep using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. In total, 220 blood samples were collected from nine Mongolian sheep breeds; however, due to breed availability and DNA quality, 173 samples were analyzed for ASIP polymorphism and 120 samples for CAST polymorphism. The Mongol, Uzemchin, and Tsagaan-Uul breeds were included in both analyses. The CAST gene exhibited two alleles (A and B) and two observed genotypes (AA and AB), with the A allele (96.05%) and AA genotype (94.83%) being predominant; the BB genotype was not detected. No significant association was found between CAST genotypes and body weight (p > 0.05). The ASIP gene revealed two alleles (T and A) and three genotypes (TT, TA, and AA), with the T allele (66.2%) being dominant and a high frequency of heterozygotes (TA, 42.9%), indicating moderate genetic diversity. These findings provide baseline genetic information to support marker-assisted selection and conservation-oriented breeding programs for Mongolian sheep.

Keywords
Agouti signaling protein
Calpastatin
Mongolian sheep
PCR-RFLP
Polymorphism
References
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Information
  • Publisher :Journal of Humanimal Sciences
  • Publisher(Ko) :한경국립대학교 휴머니멀응용과학연구소
  • Journal Title :Journal of Humanimal Sciences
  • Journal Title(Ko) :휴머니멀과학학술지
  • Volume : 1
  • No :4
  • Pages :193-201
  • Received Date : 2025-12-18
  • Revised Date : 2025-12-24
  • Accepted Date : 2025-12-24
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.23341/jhas.2025.1.4.193
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