Genetic Polymorphisms in Agouti Signaling Protein (ASIP) and Melanocortin 1 Receptor (MC1R) Genes and Their Association with Coat Color in Native Bulgarian Sheep Breeds

This study aimed to investigate the genetic polymorphisms in Agouti signaling protein (ASIP) and melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) genes and their association with coat color in native Bulgarian sheep breeds. A total of 247 individuals belonging to 7 native sheep breeds from 38 herds were genotyped for the ASIP and MC1R genes. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were de-tected in the MC1R gene and three haplotypes representing MC1R ED and E+ alleles were identified among the studied sheep breeds. It was found that the dominant ED allele of MC1R is absent in the breeds - Patch-faced Maritza and Dubenska. The most common haplotype (h3) of the domi-nant ED allele was associated with either black or brown coat color in native Karnobatska, Kara-kachanska and Cupper-red Shumenska breeds, respectively. We can infer that haplotype 3 alleles could be a possible result that could interpret the mechanisms of black wool colour manifestation in the native Karnobatska sheep breed, which has formed the genetic pool of this sheep breed.