Polymorphism of the Melatonin Receptor Gene in Goat Breeds of Northern Italy.

Melatonin receptor MT1, encoded by the gene, is the main one involved in the seasonal regulation of reproductive activity. A correlation between this gene polymorphism and reproductive performance has been demonstrated in sheep. To date, no data about gene polymorphism are available regarding Italian goat breeds other than the Sarda goat. This study aimed to detect any PCR-RFLP polymorphic sites of using and enzymes in Northern Italian goat breeds, which are characterized by a pronounced reproductive seasonality. One-hundred-eight adult female goats belonging to four different breeds were included in the study (i.e., Frisa Valtellinese, = 29; Orobica, = 23; Lariana, = 29; Camosciata delle Alpi, = 27). Blood was sampled from each goat. Genomic DNA was extracted from each sample and the main part of exon II of gene was amplified by PCR and digested with and enzymes. Unexpectedly, none of the fragments were found to be polymorphic. The absence of polymorphism may be linked to the macro group of goat breeds that evolved during human migrations. Breeds of the Alpine-European strain would appear to show no polymorphism, as confirmed by our study, whereas breeds belonging to the Mediterranean-African or Asian-Middle Eastern strains do.