Genetic variability of calpastatin and calpain genes in Iranian Zel sheep using PCR-RFLP and PCR-SSCP methods

The genotypes for calpastatin (CAST) and calpain (CAPN) loci were determined by PCR-RFLP and PCR-SSCP methods. Blood samples were collected from 200 pure-bred Zel sheep from Shirang’s Zel sheep Breeding Station located in south-west of Golestan, Iran. Extraction of genomic DNA was performed based on the modified salting out method. Based on results, two investigated loci were polymorphic and had different gene variants. Heterozygosis was low for both loci. Chi-square test confirmed Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium only in CAST locus using SSCP method. Detected polymorphisms and associations of genetic variation with meat production and tenderness may help to find the effective genotypes of Zel sheep for the economic traits.