Study of Leptin and GHR gene in goat: Polymorphism of Leptin and Growth Hormone Receptor gene in different Goat Breeds

The first domesticated livestock; Goat (Capra hircus) also popular as the ‘‘poor man’s cow” is an important livestock species in India due to most adaptable and geographically widespread livestock species, ranging from the high altitude of the Himalayas to the deserts of Rajasthan and humid coastal areas. The diversity of goat genetic resources throughout the world reflects their adaptation to very different production systems with a predominance of native breeds, often in danger of extinction, very well adapted to local conditions. Genetic polymorphisms are playing an increasingly important role as genetic markers in many fields of animal breeding. With the development of molecular genetic techniques it has become possible to establish a new class of gene markers based upon the variability at DNA sequence level. Leptin, the product of the LEP gene is a 16-kDa protein that is synthesized by the leptin (obese) gene (LEP), has multiple physiological effects and plays a pivotal role in the control of body growth, immune function, and reproduction. Growth hormone gene is encoded by 1800 base pairs (bp) consisting of five exons separated by four intervening sequences.

The author is working as a Teaching Associate cum Ph.D. Scholar in the Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding at PGIVER, Jaipur. He obtained his B.V.Sc.&A.H from SKRAU, Bikaner and M.V.Sc. from Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding at RAJUVAS, Bikaner. He is also member of Editorial Board in some International Scientific Research Journals.