Determination of BMP-15, BMPR-1B and GDF-9 Gene Mutations of the Indigenous Sheep Breeds in Turkey

Abstract

The high ovulation rate and fertility are very important production traits in sheep production. The aim of the study was to determine the BMP-15, BMPR-1B and GDF-9 gene mutations which are related with the high ovulation with high ovulation rate in Chios, Kivircik, Awassi and Imrose sheep breeds. Fifty sheep from each breed were provided for this study. Blood samples for all the animals were collected in sterile-2 ml tubes containing EDTA. Genomic DNAs were isolated using a standard salt-out method. Thereafter target sites were amplified with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). FecX(I), FecX(H), FecX(G), FecX(B) mutations in BMP-15 gene, FecB mutation in BMPR-IB gene and FecG(H) mutation in GDF-9 gene were determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. All individuals were non-carriers for these mutations, except FecXG mutation in BMP-15 gene. The animals analyzed in this study were found to be heterozygous carriers for FecXG mutation. There may be other genes affecting fertility in Anatolian breeds. For the genetically explanation of multiple lambing, especially in Chios sheep, it was concluded that different genes should be investigated in the further studies.