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A new polymorphism in the Growth and Differentiation Factor 9 ( GDF9 ) gene is associated with increased ovulation rate and prolificacy in homozygous sheep
Author(s) -
Silva B. D. M.,
Castro E. A.,
Souza C. J. H.,
Paiva S. R.,
Sartori R.,
Franco M. M.,
Azevedo H. C.,
Silva T. A. S. N.,
Vieira A. M. C.,
Neves J. P.,
Melo E. O.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
animal genetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.756
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1365-2052
pISSN - 0268-9146
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2052.2010.02078.x
Subject(s) - biology , bone morphogenetic protein 15 , ovulation , growth differentiation factor 9 , heterozygote advantage , allele , follicular phase , endocrinology , polymorphism (computer science) , medicine , genetics , gene , andrology , folliculogenesis , embryogenesis , pregnancy , bone morphogenetic protein , bone morphogenetic protein 7
Summary Brazilian Santa Inês (SI) sheep are very well‐adapted to the tropical conditions of Brazil and are an important source of animal protein. A high rate of twin births was reported in some SI flocks. Growth and Differentiation Factor 9 ( GDF9 ) and Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 ( BMP15 ) are the first two genes expressed by the oocyte to be associated with an increased ovulation rate in sheep. All GDF9 and BMP15 variants characterized, until now, present the same phenotype: the heterozygote ewes have an increased ovulation rate and the mutated homozygotes are sterile. In this study, we have found a new allele of GDF9 , named FecG E (Embrapa), which leads to a substitution of a phenylalanine with a cysteine in a conservative position of the mature peptide. Homozygote ewes presenting the FecG E allele have shown an increase in their ovulation rate (82%) and prolificacy (58%). This new phenotype can be very useful in better understanding the genetic control of follicular development; the mechanisms involved in the control of ovulation rate in mammals; and for the improvement of sheep production.