Researchers at North Caucasus Federal University have advanced a study on sheep DNA, identifying markers tied to meat productivity and exploring additional indicators that influence traits such as wool quality and milk yield. This work shows how genomic information can support breeding programs across regional sheep populations and beyond.
Experts note that these markers could potentially raise overall productivity and strengthen the performance of domestic breeding lines, contributing to more efficient sheep farming in the North Caucasus and neighboring regions as part of broader animal husbandry efforts.
Muscle growth dynamics sit at the core of meat productivity. The speed at which muscle cells assemble proteins, along with the roles of growth factors, intercellular regulators, hormones, and related signals, all contribute to this process. The system works through networks of many genes coordinating development and responses to selective breeding.
Earlier international research has identified several genes with a strong impact on muscle development. The myostatin gene, for example, limits muscle fiber growth; mutations can reduce this restraint, leading to rapid increases in muscle mass in animals. These findings guide breeders toward variants that can boost meat production while keeping genetic diversity within herds.
As selection for superior meat quality continues, some gene variants become fixed within a population. This can hinder further gains, underscoring the need to discover new genomic loci linked to productive traits in sheep. The aim is to broaden the set of markers breeders can use to optimize performance across generations and sustain progress in productivity and quality. [Attribution: North Caucasus Federal University]
In the ongoing project, two genotyping approaches are used to identify unique genes that influence meat productivity in regional sheep breeds. First, DNA microarrays assess around 600,000 genomic points, providing a broad snapshot of the sheep genome. Second, whole-genome sequencing decodes the genome in full, down to each nucleotide. By comparing the genomes of animals with high meat productivity to those with lower production, researchers highlight regions that differ and may drive enhanced growth and meat yield. Breeders can apply these markers to select animals for mating, anticipating improved meat quality across generations and meaningful gains in breeding programs.
As practical applications advance, scientists anticipate guiding breeders on optimal crossbreeding strategies. The goal is for subsequent generations to show clear improvements in body weight, growth rate, and productivity across meat production as well as milk and wool, contributing to a more robust and productive sheep population in North America and Canada, as well as Europe and Asia.
Earlier investigations into animal nutrition involved experiments with algae-based feeds and fortified supplements for dairy cattle, underscoring the ongoing effort to align genetics with nutrition for enhanced productivity across livestock systems. [Attribution: North Caucasus Federal University]