Sheep (Ovis aries) and goats (Capra hircus) are among the oldest domesticated animals, domesticated approximately 10,000 years ago, and are both culturally and economically important species in the world. Sheep and goat breeds are selected worldwide for meat, wool, and dairy production, with breeding objectives also including other functional traits such as reproductive performance and disease resistance. Developments in next-generation sequencing (NGS) have allowed de novo sequencing of sheep and goat genomes. Having the fully sequenced sheep and goats genome is expected to advance research in human and veterinary medicine and become an important resource for those involved in livestock production.

CD Genomics is a leading service provider for agricultural genomics research, offering reliable sheep and goats genome sequencing services to support research and breeding efforts in the field of sheep and goats genomics for clients worldwide. Our services help to study the evolution and genetic basis of rumen, and also help manufacturers assist in the selection of high-quality traits such as wool, meat, and milk.

Our sheep & goats genome sequencing service

CD Genomics offers comprehensive and customizable genome sequencing services for sheep and goats. We utilize advanced next-generation sequencing and long-read sequencing technology platforms, as well as bioinformatics tools to perform whole-genome sequencing on different sheep and goats breeds to provide reliable data support for genomic and other research on sheep and goats genome structure, organization, and function.

CD Genomics is committed to maintaining the highest quality standards throughout the sequencing process. We adhere to strict quality control measures to ensure the accuracy and reliability of results. From sample collection and DNA extraction to sequencing and data analysis, every step is performed with care. We offer the following methods for sheep and goat genome sequencing:

• De novo assembly and sequencing
• Resequencing
• Estimation of genome size
• Detect structural variations
• Gene annotation
• Duplicate comments
• Assembly quality assessment
• Annotation of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and miRNAs
• Gene annotation map
• Discover large assembly errors
• Identify SNP position differences

Applications of sheep & goats genome sequencing

• Comparative genomics

By comparing the genomes of sheep and goats with those of other animals, such as cattle, humans, and other ruminants, researchers can gain insight into evolutionary processes, identify conserved regions, and understand the genetic basis of specific traits in sheep and goats.

• Improving livestock production

We help you gain insight into the genetic components behind desirable traits such as meat quality, milk production, and fiber characteristics by sequencing the genomes of sheep and goats. This information helps develop targeted breeding programs that enhance these traits, ultimately improving livestock production.

• Understanding disease resistance

High-quality sheep and goat genome sequences can help identify genetic variation associated with disease resistance. We help you identify genes and pathways involved in the immune response and develop strategies to enhance disease resistance in these animals by studying the genetic makeup of resistant individuals.

• Conservation and population genetics

Sheep and goat genome sequencing can help you study the genetic diversity and population structure of these species. This information helps identify genetically distinct populations and informs breeding programs to conserve genetic diversity and prevent the loss of valuable genetic resources.

Case study of sheep & goats genome sequencing

Goats are one of the earliest livestock breeds. It provides a range of products and plays an important economic role in human production activities. Due to its huge economic and scientific value, high fecundity is an important factor in livestock breeding. To establish optimal breeding programs to improve fecundity and meat production, traditional selection methods must be augmented by the selection of a large number of quantitative trait loci (QTL) and candidate genes to improve fecundity. Over the past decade, whole-genome sequencing and analysis have been used to identify QTL and candidate genes for phenotypic traits in milk, meat, hides, and cashmere. However, major genes for goat reproductive traits, especially litter size, have rarely been detected, possibly due to environmental influences and differences between breeds and samples.

To extract candidate genes for goat fertility, the researchers mined genome-wide variation from six high-fertility and six low-fertility female goats (with five consecutive birth records) and compared the results to determine what differentiates the two. mutations in a goat population. Correlation analysis between differential mutation sites and litter size was performed to verify the function of candidate genes. These findings can help establish a core breeding population based on genetic marker genes to improve goat reproductive traits and artificial breeding.

Fig. 1. Circos plot of SNP distribution in goat chromosomes. (Wang et al., 2021)

CD Genomics is committed to providing reliable sheep and goats genome sequencing services. Our services aim to provide data support for studying the genetic differences between different goat breeds and strains and the correlation between functional genes, as well as carrying out goat genome selection breeding, so that the goat industry can develop healthily and sustainably. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us.

Reference

1. Wang, Ke, et al. Whole-genome sequencing to identify candidate genes for litter size and to uncover the variant function in goats (Capra hircus). Genomics. 113.1 (2021): 142-150.