Association of STAT5A Gene Polymorphisms and Ewe Age with Wool Production Traits in Local Iraqi Sheep

• Athraa Ali Abdal-Hussein1 Rahman Hussein Hamza Al Qasimi 2

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Signal transducer and activator of transcription 5A (STAT5A) is an important gene that plays vital roles in regulating several physiological processes related to growth, cell differentiation, and gene expression. Its genotypes have been associated with several productive traits in farm animals. Despite the growing interest in this gene, information regarding its potential role in wool traits remains limited. Therefore, this study evaluated the effect of STAT5A gene genotypes on wool traits, accounting for the influence of non-genetic factors, including sheep age. A PCR-Sanger sequencing protocol was utilized to assess the polymorphism of STAT5A PCR products with wool traits in Iraqi sheep. A silent single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was identified in exon 12 at position 311 of the STAT5A gene. This mutation resulted in the substitution of the third nitrogenous base, G, with A in the amino acid threonine. This mutation showed a significant association with both greasy and clean fleece weight. The results indicated that ewes with the AA genotype exhibited higher wool production traits compared to ewes with the GG and GA genotypes, respectively. This apparent effect on wool traits may be due to indirect effects on cell growth regulation and fiber formation. The age of the ewes also showed a highly significant effect on fiber diameter, favoring 3-year-old ewes. To the best of our knowledge, this study is among the first in Iraq to address the relationship between genetic variation in the STAT5A gene and wool traits in local ewes. The results suggest that the STAT5A gene could be considered a candidate gene worthy of further investigation to understand its potential role in wool traits. Larger studies are needed to verify this relationship and its potential application in genetic selection programs.

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