Polymerisation effects of four microsatellites on litter size in Xinong Saanen goats

In this study, the polymerisation effects of four microsatellites (OarAE101, BM1329, BM143 and LSCV043) on litter size in Xinong Saanen goats were analysed by means of microsatellite marker and pedigrees, then associations between combined genotypes and litter size were performed. The results indicate that the individuals with A(5)A(1)B(10)B(5)C(5)C(1)D(6)D(2) (3.10 +/- 0.07) had greater litter sizes than those with other combined genotypes in terms of average parity (P < 0.05). Comparing A(5)A(1)B(10)B(5)C(5)C(1)D(6)D(2) with A(7)A(2)B(10)B(5)C(5)C(1)D(6)D(2), the polymerisation effect value of the A(5)A(1) genotype litter size was 18.09% higher than that of the A(7)A(2) genotype. Comparing A(5)A(1)B(6)B(1)C(6)C(1)D(6)D(2) of the F-1 generation with A(5)A(1)B(6)B(1)C(7)C(3)D(6)D(2) of the F-2 generation, it was shown that the polymerisation effect value of the C6C1 genotype was 37.93% higher than that of the C7C3 genotype. Comparing A(5)A(1)B(6)B(1)C(8)C(4)D(4)D(1) of the F-1 generation with A(5)A(1)B(6)B(1)C(8)C(4)D(9)D(5) of the F-2 generation, it was shown that the polymerisation effect value of the D4D1 genotype was 68.07% higher than that of the D9D5 genotype. These results suggested that A(5)A(1)B(10)B(5)C(5)C(1)D(6)D(2) is a useful marker affecting caprine litter size.