Integrative Skin Phenotypic and Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal Candidate Genes for Coat Color and Fiber Length in Four Chinese Goat Breeds (Capra hircus)

This study investigated coat color and fiber length in four Chinese goat breeds by analyzing fiber samples and skin tissues. Black goats exhibited significantly higher melanin content, with 22.2 times more than white goats, while Inner Mongolian cashmere goats had longer hair. Transcriptome sequencing identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to melanogenesis, such as TYR, TYRP1, and ASIP, and fiber length, including FOXQ1 and HOXA10. These findings enhance understanding of genetic regulation in goats, aiding future breeding and genetic selection strategies.