Association Analysis of Polymorphisms in Six Keratin Genes with Wool Traits in Sheep

In a study conducted on 418 Chinese Merino (Xinjiang type) sheep, researchers identified 20 mutation sites within six keratin (KRT) genes and analyzed their association with wool traits. Twelve of these mutations were silent, five were missense mutations leading to amino acid changes, two were nonsense mutations, and one was a same-sense mutation. The study found significant associations between specific genotypes of KRT31, KRT36, KRT38, and KRT85 genes and various wool characteristics such as fiber diameter, wool fineness score, and the number of crimps. Additionally, certain combinations of genotypes at KRT36, KRT38, and KRT85 loci showed a greater effect on wool traits. These findings suggest that these KRT genes and their combinations are important for determining wool quality in sheep and could be used to inform breeding programs for improved wool traits.