Genomic Analysis of the Spring Leg Defect in the Canadian Dorset Sheep Breed

Johanne Cameron¹, Mohsen Jafarikia^2,3, Laurence Maignel², Robie Morel¹,

¹Centre d'expertise en production vine du Qu�bec., 1642, rue de la ferme, La Pocati�re, Qu�bec, G0R 1Z0
²Canadian Centre for Swine Improvement Inc., #75-960 Carling Ave., Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0C6
³Centre For Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal & Poultry Science, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 2W1

Abstract: Planned matings were carried out to produce 150 Dorset lambs and validate the hypothesis of a genetic determinism for the spring leg defect in sheep. Two groups of lambs were produced through planned matings; one at risk of developing spring leg and one at low risk of developing the defect. In the high risk group, 23.1% of the lambs developed the defect, versus 3.4% in the low risk group. A total of 192 sick and normal animals were genotyped with the ovine 600K SNP panel, and association studies were carried out between SNP genotypes and the expression of the defect. Three promising SNPs were detected on chromosome 24, showing polymorphisms significantly associated with the spring leg defect.

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Presented at the 10th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, August 17-24, Vancouver, BC, Canada