J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 2007. 85:598-603. doi:10.2527/jas.2006-324
© 2007 American Society of Animal Science
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ANIMAL GENETICS

Mutations in BMPR-IB and BMP-15 genes are associated with litter size in Small Tailed Han sheep (Ovis aries)1

M. X. Chu*,2, Z. H. Liu{dagger}, C. L. Jiao{dagger}, Y. Q. He{dagger}, L. Fang*, S. C. Ye*, G. H. Chen{dagger} and J. Y. Wang{dagger}

* Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100094, China; and and {dagger} College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China

2 Corresponding author: mxchu{at}263.net

The Small Tailed Han is a prolific local sheep breed in China. The bone morphogenetic protein receptor IB (BMPR-IB) gene, which affects the fecundity of Booroola Merino sheep, and the bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP-15) gene, which affects the fecundity of Inverdale, Hanna, Belclare, Cambridge, and Lacaune sheep, were studied as candidate genes associated with the prolificacy of Small Tailed Han sheep. Single nucleotide polymorphisms of BMPR-IB and BMP-15 genes were detected in Small Tailed Han ewes (n = 188) by PCR-RFLP. The combined effect of the 2 genes on the prolificacy of Small Tailed Han sheep was studied. The results indicated that the same FecB mutation (Q249R) occurred in the BMPR-IB gene in Small Tailed Han ewes as found in Booroola Merino ewes. The Small Tailed Han ewes with genotypes FecBB/FecBB and FecBB/FecB+ had 1.40 (P < 0.01) and 1.11 (P < 0.01) more lambs, respectively, than those with genotype FecB+/FecB+. The same FecXG mutation (Q239Ter) of the BMP-15 gene was found in Small Tailed Han ewes as in Belclare and Cambridge ewes. The Small Tailed Han ewes with the heterozygous mutant FecXG/FecX+ had 0.55 (P < 0.01) more lambs than those with the wild-type FecX+/FecX+. The Small Tailed Han ewes carrying mutations in both BMPR-IB and BMP-15 genes had greater litter size than those with either mutation alone. In view of our results, marker-assisted selection using both BMPR-IB and BMP-15 genes is warranted to increase litter size in sheep and will be of considerable economic value to sheep producers.

Key Words: bone morphogenetic protein 15 gene • bone morphogenetic protein receptor IB gene • prolificacy • sheep






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