Professional paper

https://doi.org/10.18047/poljo.21.2.12

ASSOCIATION OF THE MTNR1A GENE POLYMORPHISMS AND SEASONAL REPRODUCTION IN SHEEP

Valentino Držaić orcid.org/0000-0001-8439-6302 ; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Svetošimunska cesta 24, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Boro Mioč ; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Svetošimunska cesta 24, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Seasonal reproduction in sheep greatly limits the possibilities of continuous year-round production and equitable supply of sheep products on the market. The begging of breeding season in sheep is associated with melatonin secretion under the darkness influence. Melatonin, through specific G protein coupled receptors, MT1 and MT2, affects target tissues and organs. MTNR1A gene is located on 26th chromosome and has two polymorphic sites in sheep. The presence of polymorphism (M/M, R/R) is related to non-seasonal presence of estrus, while absence of polymorphism (m/m, r/r) is related to seasonal estrus presence. Individuals with "M" or "R" allele in homozygous or heterozygous form are characterized by more successful reproduction during long photoperiod or outside the usual breeding season.

Keywords

sheep; seasonal reproduction; melatonin; MTNR1A gene; polymorphisms

Hrčak ID:

150622

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/150622

Publication date:

18.12.2015.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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