To select candidate genes for goat prolificacy, we managed six multi- and six single-kid female goats at the same feeding level and in the same management mode over a 4-year period. These goats showed stable differences in litter size over five continuous parturition records. Whole-genome re-sequencing was used in all 12 to select candidate genes, namely, AURKA, ENDOG, SOX2, RORA, GJA10, RXFP2, CDC25C, and NANOS3, by the strength of their differentiation signals. Most of the selected genes were enriched in the coiled coil process and ovarian development, which suggests that the coiled coil process has a potential regulatory effect on fecundity. Detection of the distribution of variants and association analyses with litter size in 400 goats showed that NANOS3 exon mutations may lead to a transformation of the protein structure. The variation in CDC25C, ENDOG, and NANOS3 showed a significant association with litter size. These results can contribute to the improvement of reproduction traits in the artificial breeding of goats.

为了选择山羊繁殖的候选基因，我们在 4 年内以相同的饲养水平和相同的管理模式管理了 6 只多胎和 6 只独胎雌性山羊。在五次连续分娩记录中，这些山羊的窝产仔数表现出稳定的差异。12个候选基因均采用全基因组重测序来筛选候选基因，即AURKA、ENDOG、SOX2、RORA、GJA10、RXFP2、CDC25C和NANOS3，通过它们的分化信号的强度。大部分选定的基因富集在卷曲螺旋过程和卵巢发育中，这表明卷曲螺旋过程对生育力具有潜在的调节作用。在 400 只山羊中检测变异分布和与产仔数的关联分析表明NANOS3外显子突变可能导致蛋白质结构的转变。CDC25C、ENDOG和NANOS3的变化与产仔数显着相关。这些结果有助于山羊人工育种中繁殖性状的改善。