Genetic Insights into Sheep Colostrum: Unraveling the Impact of LTF,
PTPRK, and LIFR Polymorphisms on Yield and Quality
Abstract
Colostrum is a unique channel that contributes to passive immunity
transfer and provides nutrients for the growth and newborn lambs
development. High yield and quality colostrum are the keys to ensuring
the healthy lamb’s survival.However, systematic evidence regarding
colostrum characteristics, particularly yield and immunoglobulin
concentrations, as well as the underlying genetic-molecular mechanisms,
remains insufficient. Therefore, this study aims to measure and analyze
the dynamic changes in colostrum yield, immunoglobulin concentrations
(IgG, IgA, and IgM), and nutrient composition (including fat, protein,
lactose, total solids, non-fat solids, and urea) in sheep, while also
identifying genes associated with colostrum characteristics to provide
insights for improving the yield and quality of sheep colostrum and for
developing efficient lactating sheep breeds. It was found that colostrum
production increased significantly with time and total colostrum
production could reach 3.489±0.075 Kg in the first 3 days after
delivery.At the same time, the highest concentrations of IgG (108.014
mg/mL), IgA (4.139 mg/mL), and IgM (0.447 mg/mL) in colostrum were
observed during delivery, and they decreased rapidly at 12 hours and
finally stabilized. The contents of fat, protein, lactose, total solids,
non-fat solids, and urea decreased after delivery, while the lactose
content showed an increasing pattern. In addition, whole genome
resequencing analysis revealed six single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)
sites in the LTF gene (rs422619216), PTPRK gene
(rs429528738), and LIFR gene rs408968100, rs162154352,
rs161149074, and rs411119461). Variations at these loci are
significantly associated with colostrum production and immunoglobulin
content, serving as important molecular genetic markers for colostrum
traits. Notably, these variations also influence the hydrophilicity and
three-dimensional structure of the corresponding proteins. LTF,
PTPRK, and LIFR genes are important candidate genes for
colostrum yield and immunoglobulin concentration, providing robust
evidence to support sheep selection and breeding programs.