Ma Ruoshan, Lu Ying, Li Mengfei, Gao Zhendong, Li Dongfang, Gao Yuyang, Deng Weidong, Wang Bo
Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed, Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China.
State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resource in Yunnan, Kunming 650201, China.
Genes (Basel). 2025 Mar 22;16(4):363. doi: 10.3390/genes16040363.
Sheep () were domesticated around 10,000 years ago and have since become an integral part of human agriculture, providing essential resources, such as wool, meat, and milk. Over the past century, advances in communication and agricultural productivity have driven the evolution of selective breeding practices, further enhancing the value of sheep in the global economy. Recently, the rapid development of whole-genome resequencing (WGR) technologies has significantly accelerated research in sheep molecular biology, facilitating the discovery of genetic underpinnings for critical traits. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the evolution of whole-genome resequencing and its application to sheep genetics. It explores the domestication and genetic origins of sheep, examines the genetic structure and differentiation of various sheep populations, and discusses the use of WGR in the development of genetic maps. In particular, the review highlights how WGR technology has advanced our understanding of key traits, such as wool production, lactation, reproductive performance, disease resistance, and environmental adaptability. The review also covers the use of WGR technology in the conservation and sustainable utilization of sheep genetic resources, offering valuable insights for future breeding programs aimed at enhancing the genetic diversity and resilience of sheep populations.
绵羊大约在10000年前被驯化，此后成为人类农业不可或缺的一部分，提供羊毛、肉类和牛奶等重要资源。在过去的一个世纪里，通信和农业生产力的进步推动了选择性育种实践的发展，进一步提升了绵羊在全球经济中的价值。最近，全基因组重测序（WGR）技术的快速发展显著加速了绵羊分子生物学的研究，促进了对关键性状遗传基础的发现。本综述全面概述了全基因组重测序的发展及其在绵羊遗传学中的应用。它探讨了绵羊的驯化和遗传起源，研究了各种绵羊群体的遗传结构和分化，并讨论了WGR在遗传图谱构建中的应用。特别是，该综述强调了WGR技术如何增进了我们对羊毛生产、泌乳、繁殖性能、抗病性和环境适应性等关键性状的理解。该综述还涵盖了WGR技术在绵羊遗传资源保护和可持续利用中的应用，为未来旨在提高绵羊群体遗传多样性和恢复力的育种计划提供了有价值的见解。
