Genetic diversity, reproductive performance, and genetic enhancement strategies in Huang-Huai goats
The Huang-huai goat, indigenous to China’s Huang-Huai Plain, is celebrated for its exceptional reproductive capacity, succulent meat, and superior leather qualities. The Huang-huai goat’s reproductive characteristics, genetic diversity, and the genetic underpinnings of intersexuality, aiming to info...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Genetics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgene.2025.1549051/full |
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| author | Kai Quan Huibin Shi Caihong Wei Jun Li Kun Liu Huihua Wang Wei Sun Haoyuan Han |
| author_facet | Kai Quan Huibin Shi Caihong Wei Jun Li Kun Liu Huihua Wang Wei Sun Haoyuan Han |
| author_sort | Kai Quan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Huang-huai goat, indigenous to China’s Huang-Huai Plain, is celebrated for its exceptional reproductive capacity, succulent meat, and superior leather qualities. The Huang-huai goat’s reproductive characteristics, genetic diversity, and the genetic underpinnings of intersexuality, aiming to inform conservation efforts and genetic resource management. Our study at the Huang-huai Goat Science and Technology R&D Center monitored 600–800 female goats and 16–24 male goats from June 2020 to May 2022, adhering to NIH guidelines and with ethical approval from Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economics. Our findings indicate that these goats exhibit a year-round estrus cycle averaging 19–23 days, a gestation period of 146–150 days, and an average litter size of 2.74, with an annual reproduction rate of 418.96% and a weaning survival rate of 94.75%. Transcriptome sequencing identified eleven candidate genes associated with multiple offspring, including PTX3, MMP13, and NR4A1, which play roles in organ development and hormonal regulation. SNP analysis revealed specific genotypes in GJB6 and PRKAA1 linked to higher lambing numbers, offering molecular markers for selective breeding. The study also highlighted the role of the Polled Intersex Syndrome (PIS) locus in causing both hornless and intersexual traits, emphasizing the importance of genetic screening for maintaining breed health and productivity. The genetic resources of the Huang-huai goat, recognized as a national geographical indication product, are vital for the livestock industry and require strategic conservation for sustainable development. This review highlights the importance of preserving and utilizing the genetic resources of the Huang-huai goat to enhance its contribution to agriculture. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7ed056496ff64f778b0bab8ff529b70a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-8021 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Genetics |
| spelling | doaj-art-7ed056496ff64f778b0bab8ff529b70a2025-08-20T03:39:56ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Genetics1664-80212025-03-011610.3389/fgene.2025.15490511549051Genetic diversity, reproductive performance, and genetic enhancement strategies in Huang-Huai goatsKai Quan0Huibin Shi1Caihong Wei2Jun Li3Kun Liu4Huihua Wang5Wei Sun6Haoyuan Han7College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy, Zhengzhou, Henan, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy, Zhengzhou, Henan, ChinaInstitute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy, Zhengzhou, Henan, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy, Zhengzhou, Henan, ChinaInstitute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy, Zhengzhou, Henan, ChinaThe Huang-huai goat, indigenous to China’s Huang-Huai Plain, is celebrated for its exceptional reproductive capacity, succulent meat, and superior leather qualities. The Huang-huai goat’s reproductive characteristics, genetic diversity, and the genetic underpinnings of intersexuality, aiming to inform conservation efforts and genetic resource management. Our study at the Huang-huai Goat Science and Technology R&D Center monitored 600–800 female goats and 16–24 male goats from June 2020 to May 2022, adhering to NIH guidelines and with ethical approval from Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economics. Our findings indicate that these goats exhibit a year-round estrus cycle averaging 19–23 days, a gestation period of 146–150 days, and an average litter size of 2.74, with an annual reproduction rate of 418.96% and a weaning survival rate of 94.75%. Transcriptome sequencing identified eleven candidate genes associated with multiple offspring, including PTX3, MMP13, and NR4A1, which play roles in organ development and hormonal regulation. SNP analysis revealed specific genotypes in GJB6 and PRKAA1 linked to higher lambing numbers, offering molecular markers for selective breeding. The study also highlighted the role of the Polled Intersex Syndrome (PIS) locus in causing both hornless and intersexual traits, emphasizing the importance of genetic screening for maintaining breed health and productivity. The genetic resources of the Huang-huai goat, recognized as a national geographical indication product, are vital for the livestock industry and require strategic conservation for sustainable development. This review highlights the importance of preserving and utilizing the genetic resources of the Huang-huai goat to enhance its contribution to agriculture.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgene.2025.1549051/fullHuang-huai goathereditaryreproductionintersexualityPIS |
| spellingShingle | Kai Quan Huibin Shi Caihong Wei Jun Li Kun Liu Huihua Wang Wei Sun Haoyuan Han Genetic diversity, reproductive performance, and genetic enhancement strategies in Huang-Huai goats Frontiers in Genetics Huang-huai goat hereditary reproduction intersexuality PIS |
| title | Genetic diversity, reproductive performance, and genetic enhancement strategies in Huang-Huai goats |
| title_full | Genetic diversity, reproductive performance, and genetic enhancement strategies in Huang-Huai goats |
| title_fullStr | Genetic diversity, reproductive performance, and genetic enhancement strategies in Huang-Huai goats |
| title_full_unstemmed | Genetic diversity, reproductive performance, and genetic enhancement strategies in Huang-Huai goats |
| title_short | Genetic diversity, reproductive performance, and genetic enhancement strategies in Huang-Huai goats |
| title_sort | genetic diversity reproductive performance and genetic enhancement strategies in huang huai goats |
| topic | Huang-huai goat hereditary reproduction intersexuality PIS |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgene.2025.1549051/full |
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