Genetic Polymorphism of Edilbay Sheep based on DNA Microsatellites

The Edilbay sheep breed holds significant importance for the sheep industry in Kazakhstan due to its adaptability and high meat productivity. However, genetic information related to productivity traits in this breed remains limited. This study aimed to assess the genetic polymorphism of Edilbay sheep bred in West Kazakhstan using microsatellite DNA markers to identify loci potentially associated with productivity. A total of 75 sheep were divided into two groups based on productivity. Genomic DNA was extracted from hair follicles and analyzed using multiplex PCR. Genotyping was performed at 12 microsatellite loci, and results were evaluated using statistical and genetic diversity indices. The most polymorphic locus was INRA063 (15 alleles), while the least polymorphic was ETH152 (5 alleles). Highly productive sheep exhibited greater allelic diversity and higher levels of heterozygosity at certain loci (e.g., INRA006, MAF214, INRA023), suggesting possible associations with productivity. The identified polymorphic loci and their allele distributions provide a genetic basis for future marker-assisted selection (MAS) in Edilbay sheep breeding, contributing to more efficient resource use and improved meat production in harsh environments. Keywords: Animal production, genetic diversity, indigenous breeds, marker assisted selection, eukaryotic genome, polymorphism.