Identification of Polymorphism in the Keratin Genes (KAP3.2, KAP6.1, KAP7, KAP8) and Microsatellite BfMS in Merino Sheep Using Polymerase Chain Reaction-Single Strand Conformational Polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) Analysi

1.1. Challenges facing the wool industry

The wool industry is faced with many challenges that require innovative solutions. The major competitors to the wool industry, cotton and synthetics, have developed new fibres that meet consumer needs such as being lightweight, soft and easy to care. These competitors have also made better productivity gains than wool, which has resulted in lower prices for all textile products. Today, there is much instability in wool prices, with a major problem facing the industry in faulty wool production. It has been observed that considerable variation exists both within and between fleeces across sheep breeds, as well as within inbred lines of sheep. Since the efficiency of wool processing is dependent on the consistency of wool fibre, it is of prime importance to wool producers that this variation is controlled. The wool characteristics that are of economic importance include fibre diameter (or fineness), grease and clean fleece weight, fleece strength and length, colour, yield, crimp and bulk. For Merino and halfbred wools, fibre diameter is the major factor that contributes to price variation as it significantly influences both fibre processing properties and ultimate product quality. The colour of wool is also important because superior colour (bright and white) can be dyed to the maximum range of shades and consequently is worth more than poorer coloured wool. Furthermore, the quantity of wool is important in overall wool production and in the efficiency of the production system.

1.2. Classical selective breeding – Not a simple solution

For many years, farmers have been using classical selective breeding, where by selection of breeding animals was traditionally based on the phenotype (that is appearance) of the individual animal, a rather slow method of selection. Each animal is assigned a breeding value (BV), which describes the future genetic potential of an animal. The BV is calculated by adjusting phenotype to exclude factors such as birth rank, lambing status and sex in order to give an estimate of the genetic merit. The desired goal of this strategy is the accumulation of “good” forms of genes for that particular trait in the population, over time. This has resulted in many breeds that are commercially important today. The domestic sheep Ovis aries today comprises over 500 different domestic breeds. However, wool characteristics, like many production traits (such as milk yield, growth rate, meat tenderness), do not exhibit simple Mendelian inheritance patterns (recessive or dominant). Instead, they are controlled by not only many genes, but also the interaction of these genes, each having small additive effects on the phenotype observed. Environmental and management factors also play a role. Thus, wool traits are quantitative and show continuous variation in phenotype, a fact that makes it difficult to deduce the genotype of an animal from its phenotype, and to relate genetic variation to differences in the phenotype. In other words, genetic improvement breeding programme select for “phenotypic superior” animals, without the knowledge of the actual genes that are being selected – which I will term as “blind selection” in this paper. Furthermore, other strategies to control environmental factors such as nutrition, time of shearing or mineral supplementation tend to be costly. In addition, wool production traits tend to only be fully expressed when an animal is mature, at least three years old, and therefore genetic progress using phenotypic selection and pedigree information is relatively slow.

1.3. Identification of gene markers: A possible solution

The answer to sidestepping this “blind selection”, inaccuracy in describing the genetic potential of an animal and slow progress may lie in identifying specific genetic markers that are associated with wool production traits. Some sheep consistently produce quality or faulty wool, suggesting that genetic factors are an important key in determining wool characteristics. In addition, estimates for the heritability (h²) of most wool traits are generally high (h² = 0.3 - 0.6), indicating that wool traits are under genetic control and that they can be selected for. A gene is a segment of DNA that provides the genetic information necessary to produce a protein. For almost all of the genes, there are two copies (alleles), one inherited from the mother and the other from the father. In any population of animals, there can be many different alleles. This is termed polymorphism or genetic variation. Polymorphism results from DNA mutation. It is this polymorphism that is taken advantage of, in order to identify genetic markers. A genetic marker for a particular characteristic can be defined as a piece of DNA that directly affects a phenotype and shows polymorphism. It can also be a piece of DNA that is closely linked to another piece of DNA that affects a phenotype. Genetic markers can either be genes or non-functional DNA segments such as microsatellites or minisatellites.

A number of different types of genetic markers are commonly used, including restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs), microsatellite and minisatellite DNA, and polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) variants. Restriction fragment length polymorphism results from the alteration of the restriction site(s) recognised by a specific restriction endonuclease or by the insertion or deletion of sequence between two restriction sites. The variation in fragment lengths is detected using gel electrophoresis. Although RFLPs were the first genetic markers developed, they are losing popularity as a screening method to identify genetic markers because they have the disadvantages of not identifying all of the polymorphism with a length of DNA, are time-consuming and restriction enzymes and consumables tend to be expensive. Simpler marker systems have subsequently been developed, many of these systems are now based on satellite DNA sequences.

Throughout the genome of higher eukaryotic organisms, there are a variety of different short DNA sequence repeats known as satellite DNA. These sequences do not code for protein and are highly variable from individual to individual in both the number and type of repeats (Groth et al., 1987). Microsatellites are composed of DNA repeats in tandem at each locus. The tandem repeats are usually simple, and consist of either a single nucleotide or dinucleotide such as (CA)n, with each dinucleotide repeated about ten times. Minisatellites have longer repeated sequences than microsatellites, such as (ACTG)n. Since microsatellites and minisatellites show a substantial amount of polymorphism, they can serve as useful markers for the identification of genetic variation of value to animal breeding. Although the variation in the number of repeats can sometimes be detected using RFLP, PCR is generally used to amplify the polymorphic region and the amplimer analysed for length variation (a technique referred to amplified fragment length polymorphism – AFLP).

1.4. Polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) as a preferred type of genetic marker

PCR is also used in conjunction with SSCP. The PCR-SSCP technique offers a rapid, sensitive and relatively inexpensive way to screen for sequence variation with minimal sequencing. First described by Orita et al. (1989), this technique has become one of the preferred methods for screening samples to detect polymorphism because it is both simple and sensitive. In this techniques, regions of the gene of interest are amplified using PCR and the products denatured and then cooled rapidly to promote the formation of secondary structures due to internal base-pairing, which are in turn sequence dependent (Orita et al., 1989). The folded single-stranded DNA molecules are separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under non-denaturing conditions. The folded secondary structures are affected by physical conditions such as temperature, percentage of polyacrylamide, ionic strength of the electrophoretic buffer, glycerol concentration (Spinardi et al., 1991), ratio of acrylamide to bis-acrylamide, run length and run voltage. This can be exploited when optimising an SSCP protocol so that maximum variation can be detected in a given section of DNA. Molecules that differ by even a single nucleotide may form different conformers under a given set of conditions and, upon electrophoresis in a non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel, migrate differently. Many methods for viewing the folded DNA conformers have been described. These include the radioactive labelling of primers followed by autoradiography (Orita et al., 1989), silver staining (Sanguinetti et al., 1994), ethidium bromide staining (Yap and McGee, 1993) and more recently the use of fluorescently labelled primers and fluorescent dyes.

1.5. Methods used to identify genetic markers

There are several ways to identify genetic markers, but the two approaches most commonly used are the genome scanning or linkage analysis and the candidate gene approach. In the genome scan approach, the whole genome is searched to identify Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) that affect any given trait. These are not necessarily the genes that are responsible for trait variation, but give an indication of where such genes may lie. Linkage analysis is an involved process. A map of the chromosomes, laying out the location, phase and order of genes and markers, and the distance between them, is required before linkage analysis can be performed. Firstly, a selection of about 200 markers distributed throughout the genome are genotyped, in the sire of the animals. Only the informative markers are genotyped in the progeny and each marker tested for suggestive linkage. Regions showing suggestive linkage are then studied by saturating the region with markers to identify those that are tightly linked. Phenotypic variation is then linked to the segregation of DNA markers within a population. Once the gene locus is identified by the tightly linked markers, the DNA can be sequenced. Linkage analysis can be an expensive and lengthy process requiring access to full chromosome libraries and arrays of markers.

In the candidate gene approach, known genes or gene markers that are thought to be responsible for the phenotypic variance of a trait are targeted for investigation. In this case, knowledge of the understanding of the genes that are likely to affect wool quality. The method requires a good knowledge of the physiological and biochemical processes of the gene product and can be a more direct method than the gene mapping approach, provided the right initial assumptions are made. One of the limitations of this approach is its “hit and miss” nature. A targeted gene may not be polymorphic in a population or genetic variation within the targeted gene may not affect the trait (Goddard, 2002). For the candidate gene approach to be useful, a quick and relatively inexpensive way to screen the target gene for polymorphism is essential.

The wool fibre is a complex structure composed primarily of proteins from the keratin family, which are the keratin intermediate-filament proteins (KRTs) and the keratin intermediate-filament associated proteins (KAPs). The KRTs form the skeletal structure of the wool fibre (microfibrils) and are embedded in a matrix of KAPs (Powell and Rogers, 1986), the different proteins being connected through disulphide cross-linkages (Powell, 1996). Therefore, genes that code for the KAPs and KRTs proteins are potential candidate genes in the identification of genetic markers associated with wool quality traits.

1.6. Half sib analysis

Half-sib analysis is a tool that allows genetic effects to be ascertained from field trials while controlling for environmental and management effects. Firstly, the gene being targeted must be polymorphic, with at least two alleles. A good sire is selected and mated to many ewes (at least 200 in number), that are selected at random from a range of environments, in order to maximize phenotypic variation in wool traits. The sire must be informative at each locus that is being investigated (i.e., the genotype of the sire must be heterozygous). If not, then the progeny does not get genotyped for those loci that the selected sire is homozygous. For those loci that the sire is heterozygous, the progeny born are genotyped soon after birth, and allowed to grow until their wool measurements can be taken at (12, 24 and 36 months of age). Suppose a sire has the genotype AB at the K33 locus, then all the progeny that have inherited the A allele from the sire are put in one group, and those that have inherited the B allele from the sire are put in another group. The means of the wool measurements from both groups are then compared. If the group of progeny that inherited the B allele from their sire are found to for example have a significantly stronger staple strength than those progeny that inherited the A allele from their sire, then this would give an indication that the K33 B allele might be associated with stronger staple strength.

1.7. Previously published association of genetic markers with wool traits

Numerous studies have described variation within both the KAP and KRT genes, including the work of Rogers et al. (1994a); Parsons et al. (1994a; 1996); McLaren et al. (1997); Beh et al. (2001); Itenge-Mweza et al. (2007). There are some reports associating variation in the KRT and KAP genes with variation in wool traits. Parsons et al. (1994b) and Beh et al. (2001) reported associations between variation in KAPs and mean fibre diameter in Merino sheep, while Rogers et al. (1994b) reported association between staple strength in Romney sheep and the region spanning the KAP1.1/KAP1.3/K33 loci on ovine chromosome 11. Itenge et al. (2009; 2010) reported association between variation in the KAP1.1 gene with variation in yield. In one of the half-sib families studied, variation in the K33 gene was associated with variation in staple strength. Markers, other than the KRT and KAP genes associated with wool traits have also been reported and these, together with reported keratin gene markers are summarised in Table 1.1.

1.8. Gel electrophoresis

Gel electrophoresis is the process in which an electrical current is applied to a gel to separate large molecules such as nucleic acids, from a mixture of similar molecules, based on differences or how they react to the electrical current. The technique relies on the fact that

nucleic acids are negatively charged because of the phosphate groups on the phosphodiester backbone of the nucleic acid strands (Nicholl, 1994). Nucleic acid molecules will migrate from the negative (black) terminal to the positive (red) terminal if put in solution and an electric field is applied, due to the net negative charge in solution. The gel matrix adds a sieving effect so that particles can be characterized by both charge and size.

Agarose is a macromolecular substance that is derived from seaweed. It can be purified to a whitish granular powder which, when mixed with water and heated, can be left to set like a jelly. This is called a gel and it acts like a sieve for the DNA molecules. To separate DNA molecules that are different lengths, agarose is used to produce a molecular sieve. The speed that the DNA travels through the gel is inversely proportional to the size of the DNA. In other words, small DNA particles migrate faster than large DNA molecules, as they are less physically restrained by the gel matrix. The length of a piece of DNA can be determined by comparing it to a molecular weight ladder. Agarose gel electrophoresis can be affected by:

1. The percentage of agarose, which affects the sieving of the DNA molecules.

2. The voltage applied during the electrophoresis, which cause the DNA molecules to move.

Typically, 1000 – 50,000 bp can be separated by 0.3% agarose, and 300 – 6000 bp can be separated by 1.4% agarose, while base pairs less than 500 are better separated using polyacrylamide gel, with gel percentage between 10-20. The polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis works under non-denaturing conditions.

After the electrophoresis is complete, the molecules in the gel can be stained to make them visible. Ethidium bromide, silver, or coomassie blue dye may be used for this process. Other methods may also be used to visualize the separation of the mixture's components on the gel. If the analyte molecules fluoresce under ultraviolet light, a photograph can be taken of the gel under ultraviolet lighting conditions, often using a Gel Doc. A molecular weight marker (MM) is often included on the gel to give an indication of the fragment size.

1.9. Aim and objective of this paper

This paper discusses the identification of genetic variation in the KAP3.2, KAP6.1, KAP7, KAP8, KRT2.10 and BfMS loci in Merino sheep using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis. Polymorphism within these loci is likely to be in part responsible for the observed variation in wool characteristics and could result in the identification of gene markers to be used in gene marker-assisted selection programmes within the wool industry.

2.1. Sheep used in the study

This study used two half-sib families referred to as Sire Line 1 (SL1) and Sire Line 2 (SL2). The SL1 half-sib was produced by mating a fine wool producer Merino ram to 150 Merino ewes, selected at random from a range of New Zealand environments, in order to maximise phenotypic variation in wool traits. In year one, the SL1 consisted of 131 pure New Zealand Merino lambs, with 128 of these surviving to the second shearing at 24 months. Following the second shearing the wether lambs and some of the ewe lambs were culled and only the remaining ewe lambs (n = 37) were shorn at 36 months of age. The SL2 half –sib consisted of 35 lambs (Merino x Romney ram x Merino ewes). Half-sib groups were kept as single flocks to minimise environmental variation between individual progeny and provide control. All lambs were tagged at birth to their dam and their gender and birth rank were recorded.

2.2. Wool shearing and sampling

Mid-side wool samples were collected at 12, 24 and 36 months of age for SL1 and at 12 months of age for SL2. Except for greasy fleece weight (GFW) which was determined at shearing, wool measurements were performed by the New Zealand Wool Testing Authority Ltd (NZWTA), Napier, New Zealand according to International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) standards. Measurements included comfort factor or the percentage of fibres of diameter greater than 30 µm (F<30), mean fibre diameter (MFD, IWTO-12-03), fibre diameter standard deviation (FDSD, IWTO-12-03), coefficient of variation of fibre diameter (CVD, IWTO-12-03) and curvature, were all measured using a Sirolan™ Laserscan Fibre Diameter analyser while the mean staple length (MSL, IWTO-30) and mean staple strength (MSS, IWTO-30) of each sample was determined using Automatic tester for Length and Strength (ATLAS). The colour (MY-Z) and brightness (MB) of the wool was measured using a reflectance spectrophotometer, where the tristimulus values Y-Z indicate the yellowness of the wool and the tristiulus value Y represents the brightness of the wool. The yield of wool, the weight of clean wool after impurities such as vegetable matter have been removed, expressed as a percentage of greasy wool weight was mathematically derived for the wool base (IWTO-19) measurements. Once yield measurements were obtained from the NZWTA, clean fleece weight (CFW) was calculated as the product of GFW and yield.

2.3. Blood sampling on FTA^TM cards and DNA isolation

Blood samples (containing DNA) were collected from the progeny and sires onto FTA^TM cards (Whatman, Middlesex, UK). These were stored at room temperature (See Figure 2.1). A small punch (1.2 mm in diameter) was taken from the blood on the FTATM cards using a Harris Micro Punch (Whatman International Ltd, UK) and put into a 200 μL tube. The DNA on the punches was isolated following a modified manufacturer’s protocol. 200 μL of FTA^TM reagent was added to each tube containing a 1.2 mm punch of FTA^TM paper, containing the sample DNA. The tubes were incubated at room temperature for 60 minutes. Each tube was vortexed three times for about five seconds at the start of the incubation, half-way through the incubation, and after the incubation period. The FTA^TM reagent was aspirated, and the cards were washed with 200 μL of TE buffer (1 M Tris and 0.5 M Na₂EDTA) for two minutes. The TE buffer was aspirated and the tubes were left open, but covered with a tube holder and stored at 4 ^oC and used for the subsequent PCR reaction.

2.4. Amplification of the loci using PCR

The PCR conditions for the loci that are described in the literature were initially used. However, re-optimisation was necessary for amplification in an i-Cycler PCR machine (Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., Hercules, CA, USA). The PCR protocols were optimised by using a temperature gradient (to determine annealing temperature) coupled with a magnesium titration.

All the primer sequences used in the study were obtained from the literature (Table 2.1), and were synthesized by Invitrogen New Zealand Limited, Penrose, Auckland, New Zealand. PCR amplifications were performed in a reaction mixture containing ~ 50 ng of genomic DNA on a washed 1.2 mm punch of FTA^TM paper, 1× PCR reaction buffer with 1U Taq polymerase (Qiagen, GmBH, Hilden, Germany). Table 2.2 lists the total reaction volume used along with the specific dNTP, primer, magnesium, and Q concentrations for each locus.

Amplification consisted of 1 minute denaturation at 95 ^oC, followed by 30 cycles of denaturation at 95 ^oC for 1 minute, annealing at temperatures specified in Table 2.3 for 1 minute and extension at 72 ^oC for 1 minute, with a final extension of 72 ^oC for 7 minute. All the primer sequences used in the study were obtained from the literature, and were synthesised by Invitrogen New Zealand Limited, Penrose, Auckland, New Zealand.

2.5. Agarose gel electrophoresis

Amplimers were analysed in 1.0% w/v SeaKem^® LE agarose (FMC Bioproducts, Rockland, Maine, USA) gels prepared with 1× TBE buffer (89 mMTris, 89 mM orthoboric acid, 2 mM Na₂EDTA; pH 8) containing 0.1 mg/L ethidium bromide. Five µL of PCR product was added to 2.5 µL of loading dye (0.2% bromophenol blue, 0.2% xylene cyanol, 40% (w/v) sucrose) and the gels were electrophoresed at a constant 10 Vcm^-1 for 30 minutes. A molecular weight marker (Invitrogen Life Technologies) was included on the gel to give an indication of the fragment size. DNA bands were viewed on a UV transilluminator (254 nm) and a photograph taken for records.

2.6. Optimisation of SSCP gels

PCR-SSCP conditions were available in the literature for KAP3.2 (McLaren et al., 1997), however these were deemed to be insufficiently stringent. For this reason, the PCR-SSCP protocols used in this study were established empirically using template DNA from two small half-sib families (to observe inheritance of allele-specific banding pattern) and DNA samples of other unrelated Merino sheep (for increased genotypic variation). Many different gel conditions (gel percentage, voltage, time of running, temperature, addition of glycerol) were assessed to determine the optimum combination of conditions to resolve allele specific banding patterns in a reproducible manner. Amplimers from sires of the SL1 and SL2 and their selected progeny were also included on the optimising gels in order to ascertain allele banding patterns by following inheritance, and to determine whether the sires were heterozygous, and therefore informative, for the locus genotyped. Alleles were named in the order they were identified using letters of the alphabet.

2.7. Detection of sequence variation using PCR-SSCP

Each locus used specific SSCP gel conditions, and these are summarised in Table 2.4. Polyacrylamide (37.5:1 acrylamide / bis-acrylamide, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, Ca, USA) vertical gels (Protean II 16 x 16 cm, 1.0 mm thick spacers, 28 well comb, Hoefer, Inc., San Francisco, Ca, USA) were prepared containing 0.5× TBE (44.5 mMTris, 44.5 mM orthoboric acid, 1 mM Na₂EDTA [pH 8.0]) and polymerised using 10% ammonium persulphate and TEMED. Gels were pre-electrophoresed at running temperatures and voltage for one hour. Amplimers were mixed with 50 µL loading dye (95% formamide, 10 mM Na₂EDTA, 0.025% bromophenol blue, 0.025% xylene cyanol), denatured by heating at 95 ^oC for five minutes and immediately placed on wet ice before loading 15 µL aliquots. The gels were then electrophoresed at the optimum gel conditions with 0.5× TBE running buffer, followed by silver-staining according to the method of Sanguinetti et al. (1994).

2.8. Cloning of allele standards

For KAP3.2, KAP7 and KRT2.10 loci, genomic DNA was obtained from the sire and this DNA was amplified using the PCR conditions described above and the amplimers were subsequently cloned using the Promega pGEM^® - T Easy Vector System I (Promega Corporation, Madison, WI, USA). Since each plasmid can only accept one molecule of DNA and therefore only one allele. Ligation reactions were performed in a total reaction volume of 10 μL containing three units T4 DNA ligase, 50 ng of plasmid DNA and 1× ligation buffer, and incubated overnight at 4 ^oC. Constructs were transformed into competent E. coli cells (Invitrogen^TM, One Shot^TM, INVαF’) using the manufacturer’s protocol. Sixty μL and 150 μL of the transformation mix were spread on labelled LB (0.5 % casein hydrolysate, 0.25 % yeast extract, 85.6 mM NaCl; pH 7.0) agar plates containing 100 μg/mL ampicillin that had been spread with 40 μL of 40 mg/mL X-Gal (BDH Laboratory Suppliers, Poole, England). The plates were incubated overnight at 37 ^oC. Six colonies for each representative allele were selected and cultured overnight in terrific broth (Invitrogen Corporation, Paisley, Scotland, UK), supplemented with 50 μg/mL ampicillin, for plasmid isolation. Colonies were screened for the correct alleles using a rapid boiling-PCR method, where by Fifty µL aliquot of an overnight culture (bacterial cells with gene of interest cultured in terrific broth) was centrifuged at 13,000 rpm for 2 minutes, the supernatant was discarded and 30 μL TE (1 M Tris, 0.5 M Na₂EDTA) buffer added, boiled for 10 minutes, centrifuged at 13000 rpm for 2 minutes and then 1µL of the supernatant was used as the template for the appropriate PCR. Amplimers were run on 2% agarose gels next to the original genomic PCR amplimers for comparison. Plasmid DNA was then isolated from clones, which had banding patterns corresponding to the original banding pattern seen from amplimers of genomic DNA, using the FastPlasmid^TM Mini Kits (Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany) following the manufacturer’s instructions. These amplified plasmid DNAs were subsequently sequenced and used as standards for scoring unknown genotypes.

2.9. DNA sequencing

Plasmid standards were sequenced in the forward and reverse directions using the M13 forward and reverse primers at the Waikato University DNA Sequencing Facility, University of Waikato, New Zealand or Lincoln University Sequencing Facility, Lincoln, New Zealand. The sequences were compiled using DNAMANTM version 4.0 (Lynnon Biosoft, Quebec, Canada) and the electropherograms. To minimise the likelihood of PCR and sequencing errors, sequence data was derived from four separate colonies, at least two of which were from independent PCR amplifications. When sequencing data was consistent, the sequences were submitted to NCBI GenBank (http://www.ncbi.nlm.hih.gov). These were Ovis aries keratin intermediate-filament Type II (KRT2.10) gene: Accession number AY437406; Ovis aries high-sulphur keratin IF-associated protein 3.2 (KAP3.2) gene: Accession number AY483216 and Ovis aries high-glycine/tyrosine Type II keratin protein 6.1 (KAP6.1) gene: Accession number AY483217.

2.10. Statistical analyses

In order for any of the loci to be informative, they have to be heterozygous in the chosen sires allowing the segregation of the sire alleles to be followed in the progeny and segregation analyses performed. Segregation of the sire alleles within SL2 was observed and a chi-square goodness of fit test performed to ascertain whether the sire alleles inherited by the progeny occurred in a 1:1 ratio within the population. Any progeny which had the same genotype as both its sire and dam was excluded from the association analysis since it was not possible to determine which of the alleles had been inherited from the sire. The association of alleles of KAP8 with all measured wool traits (MFD, FDSD, CVD, curvature, yield, yellowness, brightness, comfort factor, staple length, staple strength, GFW and CFW) was then analysed for each year of phenotypic data using an analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests using SPSS version 13 (SPSS Science Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The ANOVA model included sire allele and gender as factors and a full factorial model was used. The analysis used assumed that the ewe’s alleles effects were distributed randomly in progeny. The date of birth was not included in the ANOVA because the progeny were half-sibs born in a five weeks period, and it was assumed that variation in birth date was balanced across the half-sib in the segregation analyses, and that none of the genes analysed had a significant effect on gestation length.

3.1. KAP8 (Polymorphic and informative in SL2)

Four banding patterns were identified for the KAP8 microsatellite amplimer using PCR- SSCP typing methods, and these were named A, B, C and D (Figure 3.1). The alleles were not sequenced. Mendelian inheritance was observed in SL2 half-sib family for KAP8 (Table 3.2). A Chi-square goodness of fit analysis to test whether the segregation of the sire alleles differed from a 1:1 ratio confirmed normal Mendelian segregation (Table 3.3).

3.2. KAP3.2 and BfMS (Polymorphic, but uninformative)

KAP3.2 and BfMS were found to be polymorphic in the progeny used in this study, although they appeared to be homozygous for both sires used (Figures 3.2 and 3.3, respectively). This was confirmed with cloning and sequencing amplimers derived from sire SL1.

3.3. KAP6.1, KAP7 and KRT2.10 (Non-polymorphic in SL1 and SL2)

Polymorphism could not be detected at the KAP6.1, KAP7 and KRT2.10 loci in any of the animals used in this study. KAP 7 was sequenced, and nucleotide sequences from SL1 KAP7 amplimer (GenBank accession number AY791846) was aligned with the published KAP7 gene by Kuczek and Rogers (1987); GenBank accession number X05638) which shows two unique sequences (Figure 3.4).

5.1. Genetic markers versus genetic engineering

The search for genetic markers affecting wool quality traits is very different to genetic engineering (GE) and transgenesis. While GE involves the manipulation or modification of genetic composition of an organism, and transgenesis requires the development and use of transgenic animals, the former detects changes within the genetic make-up of an organism, but does not alter it. Marker-assisted selection may therefore be better preferred within the wider “non-scientific” community, than the use of transgenic sheep to produce superior wool traits. Transgenesis in sheep is also still in its infancy, and successful transgenesis rates are very low (less than 13%) (Powell et al., 1994). This makes marker-assisted-selection a more efficient, relatively cheaper and easier technique to improve wool quality traits than sheep transgenesis. The debate on GE will most likely continue and intensify especially where animals are involved. However, marker-assisted technology in livestock offers a powerful "green" alternative to gene manipulation.

5.2. Advantages of marker-assisted selection

Genetic markers are not affected by environmental noise and would allow sheep breeders to select animals with improved wool characteristics at an early age and cull the non-desirable lambs. This would speed up the process of genetic selection and decrease the generation interval. There is therefore a potential to select superior animals very early in life and not have to wait for an animal to reach its adult life to demonstrate that it has superior wool quality. This has the advantage of overcoming the limitation of “blind” selection, and increase the accuracy and efficiency of selection and result in a more profitable wool industry with direct benefits of cost to the consumer.