We tried to find important influencing factors of SHF growth cycle in skin tissue from Inner Mongolian Cashmere goats by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). Based on the results of comprehensive analysis of differentially expressed genes, GO enrichment and KEGG enrichment, we found that FGF5, FGFR1 and RRAS had an effect on the hair follicle growth cycle. The results of this study may provide a theoretical basis for further research on the growth and development of SHF in Inner Mongolian Cashmere goats.

Keratin-associated proteins (KAPs) are a structural component of cashmere fibre, and variation in some KAP genes (KRTAPs) has been associated with a number of caprine fibre traits. In this study, we identified the caprine KAP15-1 gene on goat chromosome 1. Six variants containing eight SNPs were found. Association analyses revealed that variation in the gene affected mean fibre diameter.

This study analyzed the DNA methylation profile of the PITX1 gene and its relevance to lactation performance in goats. The methylation rates of the overall CpG island and the 3rd and 12th CpG-dinucleotide loci in blood were significantly associated with average milk yield. The overall methylation rates of the CpG island in mammary gland tissue from dry and lactation periods showed a significant difference. These results could be used as potential epigenetic markers for lactation performance.

The study aimed to genetically characterize Markhoz goat breed using specific microsatellite markers to investigate the genetic diversity within this population and to enhance future breeding strategies and conservation programmes. From findings, despite the decreasing population size, Markhoz goat genetic diversity seems still conserved and the breed seems to have a good level of genetic variability as well as a potential margin of adaptability to environment and future genetic improvement.

As we all know, genes often influence physiological functions of animal organisms such as reproduction, growth, and development. This study explored a novel insertion of paired-like homeodomain 2 (PITX2) gene, and many methods of statistical analysis were used to evaluate their associations with traits of goats. Results indicated that this insertion was significantly associated with litter size, body length, and chest width of goats.

An effective DNA marker-assisted selection would speed up the development and improvement of goat products. The objective of this work was to explore novel indel (insertion/deletion) variations and their associations with growth traits in three native Chinese goat breeds. Results showed that the goat ATBF1 gene had marked effects on growth traits and the growth-trait-related loci, which would contribute to improving the growth-related traits of local breeds in the goat industry.

ACOX1 is vital for fatty acid oxidation and deposition. The alternative splicing events of ACOX1 have not been reported in goats. Here, we found a novel splice variant (ACOX1-SV1) and a complete isoform (ACOX1). ACOX1 and ACOX1-SV1 were expressed at high levels in the liver, spleen, brain and fat in kid and adult goats. In both groups, the mRNA level of ACOX1 was high in fat and that of ACOX1-SV1 was high in liver. These findings should provide new insights on the function of ACOX1.

In this study, a novel 12 bp indel within the LHX4 gene first intron was firstly found. Meanwhile, the association analysis indicated that the 12 bp indel was significantly associated with litter size in 1149 Shaanbei cashmere goats (P < 0.05). The litter sizes of genotype DD and ID individuals were superior to those of genotype II, implying that the 12 bp indel might affect litter size. These results could provide a new insight into implementing marker-assisted selection in goat breeding.