JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND VETERINARY MEDICINE
Integrity Research Journals
ISSN: 2536-7099
Model: Open Access/Peer Reviewed
DOI: 10.31248/JASVM
Start Year: 2016
Email: jasvm@integrityresjournals.org
Polymorphisms of the CTNNB1 gene in three breeds of sheep in Danbatta Local Government, Kano State, Nigeria
https://doi.org/10.31248/JASVM2026.666 | Article Number: 727B0C683 | Vol.11 (4) - August 2026
Received Date: 11 May 2026 | Accepted Date: 01 June 2026 | Published Date: 08 August 2026
Authors: Mas’ud Abubakar* , Abba Ibrahim Abubakar , Sadiya Ibrahim Karaye , Ahmad Abubakar and Muhammad Salihu Ibrahim
Keywords: sheep., PCR-RFLP, polymorphism, growth traits., CTNNB1 gene, reproductive traits
The present study investigated the polymorphisms of the Catenin Beta 1 (CTNNB1) gene in three indigenous sheep breeds, namely Balami, Yankasa, and Uda sheep reared in Kano State, Nigeria, and evaluated their association with growth and reproductive traits. A total of 150 sheep, comprising 50 animals from each breed, were sampled from selected flocks across Kano State. Blood samples were collected for genomic DNA extraction, and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis was employed to detect genetic variations in the CTNNB1 gene. Three genotypes (AA, AB, and BB) were identified among the studied breeds. Genotype frequencies for Balami sheep were 0.42, 0.46, and 0.12 for AA, AB, and BB, respectively, while Yankasa sheep recorded frequencies of 0.38, 0.50, and 0.12. Uda sheep showed genotype frequencies of 0.34, 0.52, and 0.14, respectively. Significant associations (p<0.05) were observed between CTNNB1 genotypes and body weight, body length, heart girth, and litter size. Animals possessing the AA genotype exhibited superior growth performance and higher reproductive efficiency compared with BB genotype carriers. The A allele occurred more frequently in all three breeds, suggesting possible selective advantages associated with this allele under tropical production systems. The findings indicate that the CTNNB1 gene polymorphism may serve as a useful molecular marker for genetic improvement and marker-assisted selection in indigenous Nigerian sheep breeds.
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