FSHR GENE POLYMORPHISM IN FEMALE REINDEER (RANGIFER TARANDUS)

Abstract

Reindeer herding is an important branch of animal husbandry in Russia, especially in the northern regions of the country. Genomic selection is a method based on the analysis of genetic data on animals in order to select individuals with certain genetic characteristics for breeding. By genetic selecting, it is possible to increase the efficiency of breeding programs, reduce the time to obtain the desired results and improve the quality of the offspring. The FSHR (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Receptor) gene encodes a protein that is a receptor for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Studying the FSHR gene is important for understanding the mechanisms of regulation of the reproductive system and searching for new genetic markers associated with reproductive functions in different animal species, including reindeer. The aim of the study was to study the polymorphism of the FSHR gene in female reindeer of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug of the Russian Federation. DNA samples from 43 reindeer females (Rangifer tarandus) belonging to the same herd were analyzed. We sequenced a 2208 bp FSHR region containing the fifth intron of the gene in females from the Yamal Peninsula. During the study of the region, we found two singlenucleotide polymorphisms: G28578A and G29110A. The first polymorphism was located in the second nucleotide of the codon and led to the replacement of serine with asparagine in the amino acid sequence of the protein. The second polymorphism was synonymous and did not lead to a change in the structure of the protein.