Are Copy Number Variations within the Fec(B) Gene Significantly Associated with Morphometric Traits in Goats?

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The Booroola fecundity (Fec(B)) gene, as a major fertility-related gene in sheep, is currently attracting considerable attention. While first discovered in sheep, determining whether FecB is a vital gene in goats has recently become a major research interest. Contemporary research has addressed this issue and discovered that several Fec(B) variations in goats are significantly associated with litter size in goats. Given that growth development is positively associated with litter size, Fec(B) may also exert a significant effect on goat morphometric traits. Five copy number variations (CNVs) of the Fec(B) gene were tested in Shaanbei white cashmere (SBWC, n = 318), Guizhou Heima (GZHM, n = 203), and Nubian (n = 120) goats, all of which were significantly associated with body morphometric traits in the Shaanbei white cashmere goats (p < 0.05). Notably, individuals with the normal type of CNV3 consistently displayed a superior phenotype in litter size and morphometric traits, which allows its use as an effective marker for goat breeding. ABSTRACT: The Booroola fecundity (Fec(B)) gene is a major fertility-related gene first identified in Booroola sheep. Numerous studies have investigated whether the Fec(B) gene is a major fecundity gene in goats or whether there are other genes that play a critical role in goat fertility. Nevertheless, little attention has been paid to the role of the Fec(B) gene in the body morphometric traits of goats, despite the positive relationship discerned between litter size and growth. We identified five copy number variations (CNVs) within the Fec(B) gene in 641 goats, including 318 Shaanbei white cashmere (SBWC) goats, 203 Guizhou Heima (GZHM) goats, and 120 Nubian goats, which exhibited different distributions among these populations. Our results revealed that these five CNVs were significantly associated with goat morphometric traits (p < 0.05). The normal type of CNV3 was the dominant type and displayed superior phenotypes in both litter size and morphometric traits, making it an effective marker for goat breeding. Consequently, LD blocks in the region of 10 Mb upstream and downstream from Fec(B) and potential transcription factors (TFs) that could bind with the CNVs were analyzed via bioinformatics. Although no significant LD block was detected, our results illustrated that these CNVs could bind to growth-related TFs and indirectly affect the growth development of the goats. We identified potential markers to promote litter size and growth, and we offer a theoretical foundation for further breeding work.