The objective of this study was to characterize GnRHR gene in Sokoto (n = 70) and Kalahari Red (n = 70) goats. Three SNPs, (g.-29T > G, g.48 G > A and g.209 T > G), were detected in Sokoto Red (SR) and one (g.48 G > A) in Kalahari Red (KR) goats. All the mutations occurred within the 5'UTR and Exon one of the gene and the g.209 T > G was non-synonymous and, therefore, resulted in an amino acid change from methionine to arginine at Position 70 of the GnRHR polypeptide. The homozygous mutant genotypes at the three SNP loci were not detected in both breeds but minor allele frequencies were ≥ 0.1 for the three SNP loci in SR goats. Frequency of the T allele, however, was 0.93 at the only SNP locus detected in KR goats. There was a strong linkage disequilibrium (LD; r2>0.98) among the detected mutations in SR goats resulting in two haplotypes (T-G-T and G-A-G) with a frequency of 86% and 13%, respectively. There was no significant association between genotypes at the polymorphic loci and litter size (P > 0.05) in the two breeds. The non-synonymous mutation (g.209T>G) appears to have changed the nucleotide binding region and area spanning exposed/buried regions on the predicted secondary structure of the two variants of the receptor. This change led to variation in the tertiary structure between the two variants of the receptor and can influence the function of the transmembrane receptor. Comparison of the GnRH receptor domains for goats, sheep, cattle and swine confirmed that the seven transmembrane domains of the receptor are conserved in all the farm animals considered.
Keywords: GnRHR; Goat; Litter size.
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