Association of Growth Hormone (GH) Gene Polymorphism with Biological Features in Sheep in Conditions of Sustainable Development of the Agricultural System

The concept of a sustainable innovative agricultural system is based on the preservation and improvement of the gene pool of productive animals. Accordingly, with the development of animal husbandry, much attention of researchers is directed to the in-depth study of candidate genes that underlie the growth of muscle tissue. This article presents the results of molecular genetic studies that confirmed the relationship of the polymorphism of the GH gene in Russian Meat Merino sheep with indicators that affect live weight and exterior indicators assessment. The analysis of the growth hormone gene polymorphism association has been studied as an important genetic marker that will be used in breeding programs to improve sheep productivity. The research site was a breeding farm of the Stavropol Territory of the Russian Federation. The purpose of the breeding farm is selection and breeding work on the development and improvement of sheep breeds of the meat and wool direction. Sheep (rams, n = 70) of the Russian Meat Merino breed were taken as the object of the study. An important indicator of productivity, reflecting a certain period of development of an animal's life, is its live weight. It is the live weight of sheep that depends on a large number of both genetic and paratypical factors. The determination of live weight was carried out by individually weighing the sheep in the morning before feeding and watering. As a result of the study, it was found that the heterozygous GHАВ genotype had an advantage compared to peers of GHAА and GHВВ genotype. In this regard, it is necessary to search for new genes that affect the growth and development of muscle tissue in sheep.