Uncovering the Genetic Secrets of Liaoning Cashmere Goats' Size and Performance

Liaoning cashmere goats are not just about their high-quality cashmere—their meat production is also making waves. To dig deeper into their economic potential, scientists are focusing on increasing their body size and meat production. Early studies using multi-omics analysis on muscle tissues found key growth genes: GH and IGF-1. DNA genotyping with PCR-seq in these goats revealed interesting findings. For instance, the G350A SNP site in the GH gene showed a dominant AG genotype in rams and GG in ewes for body size and production. In the IGF-1 gene, the TT genotype in rams and CT in ewes were dominant for body size and slaughter performance. Combinations of these genotypes, AGTT for rams and GGCT or AGCT for ewes, are the powerhouses for size and slaughter performance. This study lays the groundwork for better breeding programs for these cashmere goats.