Roles of candidate genes in the adaptation of goats to heat stress: A review

M.O. Abioja*, M.O. Logunleko, B.C. Majekodunmi, E.O. Adekunle, O.O. Shittu, A.J. Odeyemi, E.U. Nwosu, O.E. Oke, O.S. Iyasere, J.A. Abiona, T.J. Williams, I.J. James, O.F. Smith, J.O. Daramola

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The problem of heat stress (HS) in hot regions of the world is further complicated by climate change and the ensuing global warming. Goats have been a means of sustenance for rural dwellers and people found in resource-poor regions. Goats possess some phenotypic adaptive features that portray them as hardy with ecological adaptability based on anatomical, morphological and physiological characteristics that confer resistance to high environmental temperature. However, goat production is not insulated from the onslaught of climate change. Productivity declines in goats when exposed to HS. There is a rise in mortality and morbidity in heat-stressed goats. Responses of goats to high environmental temperature include perturbations in homeostatic milieu, reduced feed intake and utilisation, retarded growth, lowered immunity and reproductive efficiency. It becomes imperative to pay attention to their welfare under the harsh climatic vagaries envisaged in climate change. There are numerous inherent genetic endowments in goats all around the world that could be harnessed for better adaptation. Some of these genetic biomarkers include genes related to heat stress (HSF1, HSP20, HSP70, HSP90), growth (GH, GHR, IGF-1, LEP, LEPR, T3, T4, THR, NOS), reproduction (GnRH, GnRHR, FSHR, LHR, inhibin, PROGR, ESTR), and immunity (TLR2, TLR3, TLR8, TLR10, IL2, IL10). Of all these, HSP70 is the commonest genetic biomarker of thermotolerance in goats. Higher expression of HSP70 mRNA in tissues is an indication of higher thermotolerance.
Original languageEnglish
Article number106878
Number of pages8
JournalSmall Ruminant Research
Volume218
Early online date18 Nov 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12 Feb 2023

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© 2022 Elsevier B.V.

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