Loci Associated with Negative Heterosis for Viability and Meat Productivity in Interspecific Sheep Hybrids

• Published in: Animals
• Main Authors: Alexander S. Zlobin, Natalia A. Volkova, Natalia A. Zinovieva, Baylar S. Iolchiev, Vugar A. Bagirov, Pavel M. Borodin, Tatiana I. Axenovich, Yakov A. Tsepilov
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2023-01-01
• Subjects: heterosis; overdominant model of inheritance; sheep
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/1/184

Negative heterosis can occur on different economically important traits, but the exact biological mechanisms of this phenomenon are still unknown. The present study focuses on determining the genetic factors associated with negative heterosis in interspecific hybrids between domestic sheep (<i>Ovis aries</i>) and argali (<i>Ovis ammon</i>). One locus (rs417431015) associated with viability and two loci (rs413302370, rs402808951) associated with meat productivity were identified. One gene (<i>ARAP2</i>) was prioritized for viability and three for meat productivity (<i>PDE2A, ARAP1,</i> and <i>PCDH15</i>). The loci associated with meat productivity were demonstrated to fit the overdominant inheritance model and could potentially be involved int negative heterosis mechanisms.