Studies on genes associated with coat colour and fertility in Swedish sheep breeds
Project overview
Participants
More related research
Short summary
We have been able to collect samples from all 13 Swedish sheep breeds. We are currently analysing the genetic variation and the relationships between breeds using these samples. The samples are also used to analyse genes for coat colour and fertility.
Coat color
Several genes that affect coat color in sheep are known. Two of the genes are sequenced in five Swedish sheep breeds. We have chosen to study sheep with black, white, or gray coat color. The aim is to identify which changes in the genes result in black and gray coat color. Sheep from Iceland will also be studied.
Fertility
Some sheep breeds only lamb in the spring. Other breeds can lamb all year round. Some foreign studies have shown that the MTNR1A gene may be involved in this. In Alexander Falk's thesis he examined a small section of this gene in three Swedish sheep breeds. As a follow-up to this project, the entire MTNR1A gene will be sequenced.
Collaborations
In addition to researchers from SLU, the research group also includes:
- Gwenola Tosser-Klopp and Bertrand Servin, INRA Toulouse in France
- Emma Eythorsdottir, The Agricultural University of Iceland.
A selection of what has been done so far
The first study of genetic variation was conducted in a thesis by Linnea Dahlberg. She examined the nine breeds belonging to the Allmoge sheep. It turned out that the nine breeds were genetically different from each other.
In 2014, another thesis on Swedish sheep is underway. It studies variation in retroviruses in five Swedish breeds. We are comparing them with the Texel breed and with mouflon. Mouflon are wild relatives of sheep.
In 2013, a project was launched in collaboration with the Gutefåret Association. More than 100 samples from Gute sheep have been collected as part of this project. The project is studying genetic variation and inbreeding in Gute sheep, among other things.