Analysis of associations between the prion protein genotypes and production traits in East Friesian milk sheep

The objective of this study was to analyze associations between ovine prion protein genotypes and production traits in East Friesian milk sheep. Production traits included the type traits scores for muscle mass, wool quality, and type; the reproduction traits age at first lambing, first lambing interval, second lambing interval, and total number of lambs born; the milk performance traits; milk, fat, and protein yields; fat and protein contents; and somatic cell scores. Prion protein genotypes were available for 658 East Friesian milk sheep. Linear animal models were used for the analysis of the prion protein genotype effects. The scores of the genotyped sheep for muscle mass, type, wool quality, and fat yield were significantly superior to those of the nongenotyped animals. An explanation for this might be that breeders seek to minimize genotyping costs by preselecting animals that do not meet the top breeding requirements. No significant associations were found between the prion protein genotypes and milk performance, type, or reproduction traits.