Background: The cashmere goat is a biological resource that mainly produces cashmere. Cashmere has a soft hand feel and good luster, with high economic value. The quality and yield of cashmere are determined by the process of hair follicle development during the embryonic period. Methods: In this study, the skin of the Inner Mongolia cashmere goat at different embryonic stages (45, 55, 65, and 75d) was collected, and the differentially expressed lncRNA MSTRG.20890.1 at 75d was obtained by screening. Dual luciferase reporter gene system, qRT-PCR, and EDU experiments were used to verify further the regulatory role and molecular mechanism of the lncRNA in dermal fibroblasts. Results: Based on the transcriptome database of Inner Mongolia cashmere goat skin at different embryonic stages, which was previously constructed by our group, according to the characteristics of hair follicle development in the embryonic stage, we screened out the lncRNA MSTRG.20890.1 that was down-expressed on the 75-SHFINI day of the embryonic stage. We found that lncRNA MSTRG.20890.1 was mainly located in the cytoplasm of cells, and it could inhibit the proliferation and directional migration of dermal fibroblasts through the chi-miR-24-3p/ADAMTS3 signaling axis, thereby inhibiting the formation of dermal papilla structure at embryonic stage. Conclusions: This study revealed that lncRNA MSTRG.20890.1 regulated secondary hair follicle morphogenesis and development in cashmere goats through the chi-miR-24-3p/ADAMTS3 signaling axis.

In this study, genome-wide association analysis was performed on the growth traits (body height, body length, chest circumference, chest depth, chest width, tube circumference, and body weight) of Inner Mongolian cashmere goats (Erlangshan type) based on resequencing data. The population genetic parameters were estimated, haplotypes were constructed for the significant sites, and association analysis was conducted between the haplotypes and phenotypes. A total of two hundred and eighty-four SNPs and eight candidate genes were identified by genome-wide association analysis, gene annotation, and enrichment analysis. The phenotypes of 16 haplotype combinations were significantly different by haplotype analysis. Combined with the above results, the TGFB2, BAG3, ZEB2, KCNJ12, MIF, MAP2K3, HACD3, and MEGF11 functional candidate genes and the haplotype combinations A2A2, C2C2, E2E2, F2F2, I2I2, J2J2, K2K2, N2N2, O2O2, P2P2, R1R1, T1T1, W1W1, X1X1, Y1Y1, and Z1Z1 affected the growth traits of the cashmere goats and could be used as molecular markers to improve the accuracy of early selection and the economic benefits of breeding.

The Inner Mongolia cashmere goat is a local breed valued for both its cashmere and meat production. Early growth traits include birth weight and weaning weight. Generally, cashmere goats with higher birth and weaning weights tend to exhibit a higher carcass weight at slaughter. Consequently, exploring the genetic variation associated with these early growth traits is crucial in enhancing the meat production performance of Inner Mongolia cashmere goats. For this study, we performed genome-wide association analysis and haplotype analysis on the early growth traits of 212 Inner Mongolia cashmere goats (72 rams, 140 ewes) to identify molecular markers and haplotypes significantly associated with birth and weaning weights. Through genome-wide association analysis and gene annotation, we identified 21 SNPs and 117 candidate genes linked to early growth traits. Notably, genes such as RUNX1T1, ERBIN, MYO15B, NT5C, GRB2, ITGB4, and GALK emerged as significant factors influencing the early growth of Inner Mongolia cashmere goats. Additionally, nine haplotype blocks related to early growth traits were constructed, resulting in eight haplotype combinations. In conclusion, the haplotype combinations A1A1, C1C1, and D1D1 were found to be beneficial for the genetic improvement of early growth traits in Inner Mongolia cashmere goats.