Proteomics profiles of growth-related proteins of Red Sokoto and West African Dwarf goats

Proteomic profiling provides a framework for describing breed-specific growth, physiological and adaptive mechanisms in livestock. This study compared the plasma proteomic profiles of Red Sokoto (RS) and West African Dwarf (WAD) goats, with emphasis on growth-related proteins. Plasma samples from 20 goats (RS = 10; WAD = 10) collected across three locations in southwestern Nigeria were analysed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). A total of 66 plasma proteins were identified in RS goats and 59 in WAD goats, of which 14 were associated with growth regulation. Distinct breed-specific expression patterns were evident. RS goats exhibited higher abundance of fibronectin and calmodulin, indicating enhanced tissue remodelling, muscle development, and calcium-mediated signaling. In contrast, WAD goats showed relatively higher expression of key metabolic and endocrine regulators, including insulin, leptin, ghrelin, glucagon, adiponectin, epidermal growth factor, erythropoietin, and thrombopoietin, reflecting greater metabolic efficiency and adaptive resilience. Gene ontology enrichment analysis revealed marked functional divergence between breeds: RS goats demonstrated stronger enrichment of GO terms related to signal transduction efficiency, cell-matrix adhesion, calcium ion binding, and growth-related morphogenetic processes, whereas WAD goats showed enrichment of GO categories associated with energy metabolism, stress adaptation, catabolic regulation, and hematopoietic support. These findings indicate that breed differences in growth potential are driven more by pathway efficiency and functional integration than hormone abundance. Plasma proteomic and GO-based functional profiles highlight coordinated anabolic and structural growth regulation in RS goats and a resilience-oriented metabolic strategy in WAD goats, with important implications for breed-specific selection, conservation, and sustainable goat production systems.