IAS Screened for a Mutation of Sheep Fecundity Gene in 18 Goat Breeds

The mutton sheep and goat genetics and breeding team led by Professor Mingxing Chu in Institute of Animal Science of CAAS, reported that screening one mutation in major gene for high fecundity in 18 goat breeds reared in China. This study provided idea that this mutation may originate from native goat breeds of China. The result of this study was published in Turkish Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences on September 5th, 2014.

The existence of major genes affecting fecundity in sheep flocks throughout the world has been demonstrated. Genetic studies in sheep have indicated that the ovulation rate and litter size can be regulated by the single mutations in genes with major effects called fecundity (Fec) genes. Bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) is one of the major genes for high fecundity.

In our early work, one mutation (A898G, caused Ser32Gly (S32G) of mature peptide) was identified in goat BMP15 gene and the allele G was associated with high litter size in Jining Grey goats (the highest fecundity goat breed in China). The aim of this research was to investigate the genetic structure at prolific BMP15 gene in 18 goat breeds reared in China including 12 native breeds, 3 introduced breeds and 2 cultivated breeds. The results showed that this mutation existed in all 3 cultivated and 8 native goat breeds, but none of 3 introduced goat breeds, which hinted that this mutation may originate from native goat breeds of China. Besides the Jining Grey goats, BMP15 gene was also a potential prolificacy gene in Matou goats. Moreover, the structure prediction indicated that the S32G mutation might participate in the binding of BMP15 with receptors.