Glutamine Repeat Polymorphism in the Exon 1 of Androgen Receptor Gene in Grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus)

Abstract

Grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) has been a subject of domestication for the past several decades in West and Central Africa. In Ghana, attempts are being made to intensify the domestication efforts because grasscutter meat is a delicacy and huge agribusiness opportunities are expected. Tameness and reproductive ability are two important traits that underlie any successful animal domestication event. Androgen receptor gene has been reported to influence behaviour and fertility. The objective of this study was to identify genetic polymorphism in the androgen receptor gene that is likely to influence tameness and reproductive traits. Tissue samples were collected from a total of 116 including 81 domestic and 35 wild grasscutters in Accra and Mankessim, respectively, and genotyped at the androgen receptor glutamine repeat (ARQ) locus. Results of this study showed that ARQ ranges from six to 19 repeats and heterozygosities (H) were 0.769 and 0.778 for domestic and wild females respectively, indicating that this locus is highly polymorphic in grasscutters. As this locus influences transcriptional activity of the androgen receptor gene, these polymorphisms could influence tameness and reproductive traits in grasscutter. However, further studies are required to test the association of these polymorphisms with phenotypes.