Association between the CHCHD7 gene variation and early growth performance in Kabakulak goats

Kırat F. N., Göneci Fidan B., Sönmez H., Argun Karslı B., Demir E., Karslı T.

Harran Tarım ve Gıda Bilimleri Dergisi, cilt.30, sa.3, ss.1121-1129, 2026 (TRDizin)

Özet

Early growth performance is an important indicator of meat yield at slaughter in goats. However, it is influenced by numerous genetic and environmental factors. This study investigated the relationship between variations in the CHCHD7 gene and birth weight and live weight at 90th day in Kabakulak goats. The study was conducted with 120 animals, and the touchdown polymerase chain reaction technique was used to determine polymorphisms in the CHCHD7 gene. Birth weights varied between 3. 270 g (DD)and 3.665 g (II), whereas live weights on the 90th day ranged from 17.050 g (DD) to 18.431 g (II). Although the highest values for birth weight and live weight were observed for II  genotypes in Kabakulak goats on the 90th day, no statistically significant association was detected between the CHCHD7 gene and early growth performance. The findings of this study suggest that the investigated CHCHD7 polymorphism was not significantly associated with early growth performance in the studied Kabakulak goat population. Therefore,  further studies involving larger populations and additional  growth-related genes are  needed to clarify its potential applicability in Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS) and to better elucidate the genetic basis of early growth performance in Kabakulak goats.