Comparison of Growth Hormone Genetic Polymorphism in Awassi Ewes and Their Newborns Using PCR-RFLP Technology

THIS study was conducted at the University of Mosul / College of Agriculture and Forestry / Department of Animal Production to determine the genetic structures (Genotype) of the Growth hormone gene for Awassi ewes and their progeny and compares between them, For conducting this work, forty Awassi ewes of age (3-5) years and 20 lambs aged between birth and weaning (1-3) months were used, The DNA was separated from collected blood samples, growth hormone gene was amplified using specific primers and genotyping was performed using RFLP technique. The distribution ratios of the genetic structures varied in the ewes, as only two genetic structures appeared, namely AA and AG, with a frequency of 0.24 for the AA and 0.16 for the AG genetic structure, and with a allele frequency of (0.8) for the A allele and (0.2) for the G allele, while three genotypes appeared for the lambs, namely AA, AG and GG, with the distribution ratios of the genetic structures (0.75, 0.1 and 0.15) respectively and with the same allelic frequency (0.8, 0.2) for each of the allele (A and G) respected . We conclude from this study that it is possible to consider the multiple genetic form of the growth hormone gene and its dependence on genetic improvement in ewes and their newborns to achieve a higher economic return than selection methods.