Abstract
myostatin (MSTN) gene's genetic relationships in local Iraqi sheep were the main focus of this investgation. 50 samples were collected. Information on dimensions of the body, live weight before slaughter, carcass weight for each animal. 2 milliliters of blood was drawn using a sterile syringe for DNA extraction. The HaeIII restriction enzyme was used to amplify and digest target fragment of MSTN gene, located in exon 3 with size 337 base pairs. To identify genotypes and allele frequencies, the PCR-RFLP technique was employed. According to the results there are two genotypes for the MSTN gene: mm-Mm, with the mm genotype representing 86% of the population, and 14% for the Mm genotype. A frequency of m allele was 0.931, while it was 0.069 for the M allele. With a highly significant difference (P ≤ 0.01) to chi-square (χ²) value of 22.349, suggesting that natural selection, genetic drift, or other evolutionary factors may be influencing allele distribution. Phenotypic analysis revealed no statistically significant differences in live body weight before slaughter or carcass weight between the genotypes. However, A significant difference P ≤ 0.05 was noticed in the weight of viscera, with the mean of mm genotype being 1.400 kg and the mean of the Mm genotype being 1.058 kg. No significant differences were noticed between genotypes with regard to body length, height at withers, height at the rump, chest circumference, or abdominal circumference.