Expression of ovine CTNNA3 and CAP2 genes and their association with growth traits

•The SNP of CTNNA3 gene was significantly associated with growth traits.•The SNP of CAP2 gene was significantly associated with body height.•Combined genotypes of CTNNA3 and CAP2 genes was significantly associated with growth traits.•CTNNA3 expression levels in the liver and lung were highest.•CAP2 expression levels in the bone and liver were highest. Growth traits is a critical economic trait for animal husbandry. In this study, the SNPs of CTNNA3 and CAP2 genes were investigated to check whether they are associated with growth traits (body weight, body height, body length and chest circumference) in Hu sheep. The result of the association analysis indicated that the mutation in CTNNA3 (g.2018018 A > G) were associated significantly with body weight, body height, body length and chest circumference (P C) were associated significantly with body height at 140, 160, 180 days (P