DGAT1 GENE POLYMORPHISM IN TUSHIN SHEEP

This study aims to investigate the polymorphism of Diacylglycerol acyltransferase1 (DGAT1) gene

locus in Tushin sheep raised at Atatürk University Food and Livestock Application and Research Center

Farm and to determine the distribution of genotype and allele frequencies of sheep in terms of related

genes. DGAT1/Alu1 genes polymorphism was defined by using the PCR-RFLP method in the DNAs

isolated from hair samples taken from 100 Tuj sheep used in this study. PCR- RFLP products were run

in an electrophoresis medium and the results were visualized as bands in an ultraviolet (UV) device. In

the study, distributions of the genotype and allele gene frequency of the population were calculated and

it was tested whether the populations comply with the Hardy-Weinberg (HW) genetic equilibrium test.

According to the Hardy-Weinberg genetic equilibrium test, it was observed that the distribution of

genotype frequencies was in balance (P>0,05) in the population studied. The CC, CT, and TT genotype

frequencies of the DGAT1 gene in the population were found to be 53%, 38%, and 9% for the Tuj sheep

breed, respectively. When the population was examined in terms of allele frequencies, it was defined

that the C allele and the T allele were 0.72 and 0.28 for the Tuj sheep, respectively. DGAT1 genotypes

were determined using the PCR-RFLP method from hair samples taken from Tushin sheep. It was observed that the distribution of the DGAT1 gene locus in the examined sheep breed population was in

balance according to the HW genetic equilibrium test. It has been defined the genotype and allele

frequencies determined in terms of DGAT1 gene polymorphism may be found to be sufficient to reveal

the genotype diversity of this breed.