Genetic Insights into Sheep Colostrum: Unraveling the Impact of LTF, PTPRK, and LIFR Polymorphisms on Yield and Quality

Colostrum is a unique channel that contributes to passive immunity transfer and provides nutrients for the growth and newborn lambs development. High yield and quality colostrum are the keys to ensuring the healthy lamb’s survival.However, systematic evidence regarding colostrum characteristics, particularly yield and immunoglobulin concentrations, as well as the underlying genetic-molecular mechanisms, remains insufficient. Therefore, this study aims to measure and analyze the dynamic changes in colostrum yield, immunoglobulin concentrations (IgG, IgA, and IgM), and nutrient composition (including fat, protein, lactose, total solids, non-fat solids, and urea) in sheep, while also identifying genes associated with colostrum characteristics to provide insights for improving the yield and quality of sheep colostrum and for developing efficient lactating sheep breeds. It was found that colostrum production increased significantly with time and total colostrum production could reach 3.489±0.075 Kg in the first 3 days after delivery.At the same time, the highest concentrations of IgG (108.014 mg/mL), IgA (4.139 mg/mL), and IgM (0.447 mg/mL) in colostrum were observed during delivery, and they decreased rapidly at 12 hours and finally stabilized. The contents of fat, protein, lactose, total solids, non-fat solids, and urea decreased after delivery, while the lactose content showed an increasing pattern. In addition, whole genome resequencing analysis revealed six single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites in the LTF gene (rs422619216), PTPRK gene (rs429528738), and LIFR gene rs408968100, rs162154352, rs161149074, and rs411119461). Variations at these loci are significantly associated with colostrum production and immunoglobulin content, serving as important molecular genetic markers for colostrum traits. Notably, these variations also influence the hydrophilicity and three-dimensional structure of the corresponding proteins. LTF, PTPRK, and LIFR genes are important candidate genes for colostrum yield and immunoglobulin concentration, providing robust evidence to support sheep selection and breeding programs. Supplementary Material File (genetic insights into sheep colostrum unraveling the impact of ltf, ptprk, and lifr polymorphisms on yield and quality.docx) - Download - 2.02 MB Information & Authors Information Version history Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License.

Authors Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 217views 105downloads Citations Download citation Yiyu Sha, Guiqiong Liu, Jianping Ding, et al. Genetic Insights into Sheep Colostrum: Unraveling the Impact of LTF, PTPRK, and LIFR Polymorphisms on Yield and Quality. Authorea. 15 January 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.173697387.77751263/v1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.173697387.77751263/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu.