Two CYP17 genes in the South African Angora goat (Capra hircus) - the identification of three genotypes that differ in copy number and steroidogenic output.

In mammals, cytochrome P450 17alpha-hydroxylase/17-20 lyase (CYP17), which is encoded by a single gene, plays a critical role in the production of mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids and androgens by the adrenal cortex. Two CYP17 isoforms with unique catalytic properties have been identified in the South African Angora goat (Capra hircus), a subspecies that is susceptible to cold stress because of the inability of the adrenal cortex to produce sufficient levels of cortisol. A real-time-based genotyping assay was used in this study to identify the distribution of the two CYP17 alleles in the South African Angora population.