Protein metabolism indicators in sheep with different genotypes of the myostatin gene

The article presents the results of a study of protein metabolism parameters in Romanov sheep with different genotypes for the myostatin gene (MSTN). The study was conducted on Romanov sheep aged 6–7 months. The animals were kept in the same conditions and received standardized feed. Blood obtained by vacuum extraction was used for biochemical studies. Biochemical parameters of animals were determined using reagents manufactured by Vector-Best CJSC on a Photometеr 5010 V5+ biochemical analyzer at the Laboratory of Veterinary Genetics and Biochemistry of the Department of Veterinary Genetics and Biotechnology of Novosibirsk State Agrarian University. Statistical data processing was performed using Microsoft Office Excel 2016 and R Studio 2024.12.1+563. The normality of the distribution of features was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test (W). The reliability of features between genotypes was assessed using Student’s t-test. During the study of the MSTN locus in the Romanov sheep population in Western Siberia, two genotypes were identified: the heterozygous CD genotype (with a frequency of 0.58) and the homozygous DD genotype (frequency of 0.42). The concentration of albumin and ALT in both genotypes had a normal distribution (p > 0.05). It was found that the CD genotype for the MSTN gene is associated with an increased content of total protein in the blood serum, a decrease in ALT activity, and a significant decrease in AST activity. Carriers of the DD allele demonstrate an increased level of albumin. A relationship was found between the genotype for the MSTN locus and the albumin content in the blood serum of Romanov sheep. Homozygous DD animals exceed CD heterozygotes by 1.3 times in albumin level. Higher phenotypic variability of ALT and AST levels in animals with CD genotypes was shown compared to sheep with DD genotypes. The obtained results on the biochemical profile of sheep can be used to evaluate the interior of the Romanov breed taking into account genotypes in accordance with polymorphism in the myostatin gene.