Genetics and Breeding Improvements in Sheep and Goat

A special issue of Genes (ISSN 2073-4425). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Genetics and Genomics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 November 2025 | Viewed by 366

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Interests: growth traits; meat production traits; skeletal muscle development; epigenetics; breeding improvement

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, entitled “Genetics and Breeding Improvements in Sheep and Goat”, focuses on the significant advancements in the genetic research and breeding practices that enhance the productivity, health, and adaptability of the sheep and goat populations. As livestock play a crucial role in global agriculture and food security, understanding the genetic basis of desirable traits is essential. This Special Issue highlights recent techniques such as genomic selection, molecular marker analysis, and CRISPR technology, which enable breeders to more efficiently select for traits like disease resistance, growth rate, and wool or milk quality. Furthermore, the integration of biotechnological approaches with traditional breeding strategies is explored to maximize genetic gains while maintaining biodiversity. The discussion extends to the implications of climate change on breeding programs, emphasizing the need for resilient breeds. Overall, this Special Issue seeks to bridge the gap between cutting-edge genetic science and practical breeding applications, providing insights for breeders, researchers, and policymakers in the quest for sustainable animal husbandry.

Dr. Kaiping Deng
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • genetics
  • breeding improvement
  • genomic selection
  • molecular markers

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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15 pages, 651 KB  
Systematic Review
Candidate Genes of Gastrointestinal Nematode Resistance Traits in Sheep: A Systematic Review of GWASs and Gene Prioritization Analysis
by Zhirou Zhang, Gang Liu, Deji Xu, Yueqi Ma, Xianlong Wang, Yong Wang, Lei Hou, Jiaqing Hu, Jianmin Wang and Tianle Chao
Genes 2025, 16(10), 1151; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16101151 - 28 Sep 2025
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Gastrointestinal nematode infections represent a major constraint to sheep production globally, with widespread drug resistance requiring alternative control strategies. Methods: This systematic review combined genome-wide association study findings to understand the genetic basis underlying parasite resistance traits in sheep. Following PRISMA guidelines, [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Gastrointestinal nematode infections represent a major constraint to sheep production globally, with widespread drug resistance requiring alternative control strategies. Methods: This systematic review combined genome-wide association study findings to understand the genetic basis underlying parasite resistance traits in sheep. Following PRISMA guidelines, we identified 22 studies including 28,033 samples from 32 breeds across 11 countries, extracting 1580 candidate genes associated with resistance traits, including fecal egg count, packed cell volume, and immunoglobulin levels. Gene prioritization analysis using ToppGene identified 75 high-confidence candidate genes. Results: Functional enrichment analysis revealed significant involvement of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, inflammatory response processes, and immune-related biological functions. Protein–protein interaction network analysis identified nine key hub genes: TNF, STAT3, STAT5A, PDGFB, ADRB2, MAPT, ITGB3, SMO, and GH1. The JAK-STAT pathway emerged as particularly important, with multiple core genes involved in cytokine signaling and immune cell development. These findings demonstrate that parasite resistance involves complex interactions between inflammatory responses, immune signaling networks, and metabolic processes. Conclusions: This comprehensive genetic framework provides essential insights for developing genomic selection strategies and marker-assisted breeding programs to enhance natural parasite resistance in sheep, offering a sustainable approach to reducing drug dependence and improving animal welfare in global sheep production systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Breeding Improvements in Sheep and Goat)
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