Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and their genotypes in the three breeds of sheep were conducted with ninety (90) sheep, thirty from each breed (30 Balami, 30 Yankasa, and 30 Uda) sheep were used for the study. Phenotypic characterization, blood sample collection, DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Single-Strand Conformational Polymorphism Analysis (SSCPA), agarose gel electrophoresis, sequencing of DNA and genotyping were performed. The result revealed that Balami sheep showed a homogeneous genotype AA and GG in SNP1 (G>A). The Uda sheep showed homogeneous genotype of GG in SNP1 (G>A). Yankasa sheep showed a homogeneous genotype AA and GG in SNP1 (G>A). Balami and Uda sheep showed a homogeneous genotype GG and TT in SNP2 (T>G). Yankasa sheep showed a  homogeneous genotype TT in SNP2 (T>G). Balami and Yankasa sheep showed a homogeneous genotype AA and TT in SNP3 (T>A). Uda sheep showed homogeneous genotype TT in SNP3 (T>A). Three single nucleotide polymorphism had been identified in the three breed of sheep (Balami, Uda, and Yankasa) in Nigeria with homogeneous genotype of AA, GG and TT in all the SNPs. Allelic and genotypic frequencies of the identified SNPs showed that there was high degree of genetic diversity in the leptin gene among the three breeds of sheep.

 

Key words: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), Balami, Uda, Yankasa, sheep.