Validation of stearoyl-coA desaturase gene TaqMan probe-based SNP for genotyping Tattykeel Australian White MARGRA lamb for health-beneficial omega-3 long-chain fatty acids and intramuscular fat content

Sep 29, 2026

Tattykeel Australian White (TAW) branded MARGRA lamb is a premium breed developed to enhance natural omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, micro-marbled intramuscular fat (IMF), and a low fat melting point in the Longissimus dorsi muscle. Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) is targeted due to its role in n-3 LC-PUFA biosynthesis and IMF metabolism. A TaqMan probe-based real-time PCR assay was developed for the g.23881050T >C SNP and genotyped 118 animals, identifying CC and CT genotypes with reported cost and processing time.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

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Pages15

Reading Time38 min

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Abstract

Introduction

Background on genetic selection and limitations of current methods

OPEN ACCESS Citation: Malau-Aduli AEO, Pewan SB, Mwangi FW, Otto JR (2026) Validation of stearoyl-coA desaturase gene TaqMan probe-based SNP forgenotyping Tattykeel Australian White MARGRA lamb for health-beneficial omega-3 long-chain fatty acids and intramuscular fat content. PLoSOne 21(1): e0339573. [https://doi.org/10.1371/](https://doi.org/10.1371/)[ ](https://doi.org/10.1371/)[journal.pone.0339573](journal.pone.0339573) Editor: Ayman A Swelum, King Saud University / Zagazig University, EGYPT Received: September 11, 2025 Accepted: December 9, 2025 Published: January 6, 2026 Peer Review History: PLOS recognizes the benefits of transparency in the peer review process; therefore, we enable the publication of all of the content of peer review and author responses alongside final, published articles. The editorial history of this article is available here: [https://doi.org/10.1371/journal](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal). pone.0339573 Copyright: © 2026 Malau-Aduli et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, RESEARCH ARTICLE Validation of stearoyl-coA desaturase gene TaqMan probe-based SNP for genotyping Tattykeel Australian White MARGRA lamb for health-beneficial omega-3 long-chain fatty acids and intramuscular fat content Aduli Enoch Othniel Malau-Aduli1☯*, Shedrach Benjamin Pewan2☯, Felista Waithira Mwangi3☯, John Roger Otto1☯ 1 School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia, 2 National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria, 3 School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia ☯ These authors contributed equally to this work. * [aduli.malauaduli@newcastle.edu.au](aduli.malauaduli@newcastle.edu.au), [aduli40@yahoo.co.uk](aduli40@yahoo.co.uk) Abstract The Tattykeel Australian White (TAW) branded MARGRA lamb is a premium Australian sheep breed developed through decades of careful linebreeding, with the aim of improving the natural levels of health beneficial omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFA), micro-marbled intramuscular fat (IMF) content, and low fat melting point (FMP) in the highly priced Longissimus dorsi muscle. These traits are key attributes contributing to the well documented superior meat eating quality of the TAW lamb, hence, fundamental to the TAW breeding program. The focus on Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase (SCD) gene is relevant because it plays an essential part in the biosynthesis of n-3 LC-PUFA and IMF metabolism. Previous studies had identified and established significant associations between the g.23881050T >C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the SCD gene and meat eating quality traits. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a reliable, fast, cost-effective, and accurate TaqMan probe-based Real-Time PCR assay for genotyping the identified SCD SNP in 118 TAW, Poll Dorset, Martin More sheep, and Angus bulls (as a distinguishing species control) . By designing allele-specific TaqMan probes targeting the polymorphic locus, the assay accurately identified two genotypes, homozygous CC and heterozygous CT, at an estimated cost of AUD 2.16 and processing time of 49.30 minutes per 96-well sample plate. The genotype frequencies for CC and CT were 0.58 and 0.42 in rams, and 0.57 and 0.43 in ewes, respectively. The major and minor allele frequencies in TAW rams and ewes were 0.21 and 0.79, while in young TAW rams, they were 0.17 and 0.83, respectively. Both Poll Dorset and Martin More sheep exclusively displayed the CC genotype at a minor allele frequency of 1.00. The PLOS One | [https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0339573](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0339573) January 6, 2026 1 / 15 which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any m

FAQs

What SNP and gene does the study validate for lamb genotyping?

The study validates the g.23881050T >C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase (SCD) gene for genotyping TAW MARGRA lamb.

How was genotyping performed and what genotypes were identified?

A TaqMan probe-based real-time PCR assay was developed using allele-specific probes, accurately identifying two genotypes: homozygous CC and heterozygous CT.

Why is SCD relevant to meat quality traits in Tattykeel Australian White lamb?

SCD is involved in the biosynthesis of n-3 LC-PUFA and in IMF metabolism, traits linked to improved meat eating quality in the TAW breeding program.

Sep 29, 2026

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