Investigation for Mutation in BMPR-1B (FecB) Fecundity Gene in Awassi Sheep

Reproduction related traits in sheep such as ovulation rate and litter size are traits of high economic importance but as these traits are only expressed in one sex and in mature animals, thus inclusion of them in selection strategies is limited. Therefore, studying genes associated with reproductive events provides genotypic data, which is more useful in genetic improvement of sheep in a short period of time. Such reproductive traits in sheep are genetically controlled by genes having both additive and major effects. Booroola is the first gene identified in Booroola Merino sheep in Australia has major effects on ewe’s reproduction and has gained much popularity in sheep breeding for its immense economic value. Booroola or Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptor -1B (BMPR-1B) gene is in chromosome 6 and FecB allele is the result of a single mutation in this gene where one copy of this allele results in a significant increase in ovulation rate thus outcome as increased lambing per parturition. The Awassi sheep is an indigenous breed of Turkey and identifying major genes for fecundity could greatly improve their breeding program. To identify the FecB gene in Awassi sheep, 88 blood samples were taken, and DNA was extracted by salting out method. After PCR amplification and AvaΠ digestion, the samples were analyzed for FecB mutation and all of 88 samples were found not to carry the mutant allele (FecB).

Keywords:

Awassi, BMPR-1B gene, Booroola, Litter size PCR-RFLP,

PDF

___

Çelikeloğlu K, Erdoğan M, Hacan Ö, Koçak S, Bozkurt Z, Tekerli M (2018). Pırlak koyunlarında BMPR1B, BMP15 ve GDF9 genlerinde olası polimorfizmlerin araştırılması. Kocatepe Veterinary Journal, 11(4): 356-362.
Çelikeloğlu K, Tekerli M, Erdoğan M, Koçak S, Hacan Ö, Bozkurt Z (2021). An investigation of the effects of BMPR1B, BMP15, and GDF9 genes on litter size in Ramlıç and Dağlıç sheep. Archives Animal Breeding, 64(1): 223-230.
Davis GH, Galloway SM, Ross IK, Gregan SM, Ward J, Nimbkar BV, Ghalsasi PM, Nimbkar C, Gray GD, Subandriyo II, Tiesnamurti B, Martyniuk E, Eythorsdottir E, Mulsant P, Lecerf F, Hanrahan JP, Bradford GE, Wilson T (2002). DNA tests in prolific sheep from eight countries provide new evidence on origin of the booroola (FecB) mutation. Biology of Reproduction, 66: 1869-1874.
Davis GH, Balakrishnan L, Ross IK, Wilson T, Galloway SM, Lumsden BM, Hanrahan JP, Mullen M, Mao XZ, Wang GL, Zhao ZS, Zeng YQ, Robinson JJ, Mavrogenis AP, Papachristoforou C, Peter C, Baumung R, Cardyn P, Boujenane I, Cockett NE, Eythorsdottir E, Arranz JJ, Notter DR (2006). Investigation of the Booroola (FecB) and Inverdale (FecXI) mutations in 21 prolific breeds and strains of sheep sampled in 13 countries. Animal Reproduction Science, 92: 87-96.
Dinçel D, Ardıçlı S, Soyudal B, ER M, Alpay F, Şamlı H, Balcı F (2015). Analysis of FecB, BMP15 and CAST Gene Mutations in Sakiz Sheep. Kafkas Universitesi Veteriner Fakultesi Dergisi, 21(4): 483-488.
FAO (1982). World Animal Review, edited by H. Epstein FAO's Animal Production and Health Division.
FAO (2015). The Second Report on the State of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, edited by B.D. Scherf & D. Pilling. FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Assessments.
Fogarty NM (2009). A review of the effects of the Booroola gene (FecB) on sheep production. Small Ruminant Research, 85(2-3): 75-84.
Galal S, Gürsoy O, Shaat I (2008). Awassi sheep as a genetic resource and efforts for their genetic improvement-A review. Small Ruminant Research, 79(2-3): 99-108.
Gedik Y (2021). Screening for Inverdale (FecXI) Mutation in BMP15 Gene in Prolific Turkish Awassi Sheep. Black Sea Journal of Agriculture, 4 (4): 130-132.
Gootwine E (2020). Invited review: Opportunities for genetic improvement toward higher prolificacy in sheep. Small Ruminant Research, 186: 106090.
Gürsel FE, Akış I, Durak H, Mengi A, Öztabak K (2011). Determination of BMP-15, BMPR-1B and GDF-9 gene mutations of the indigenous sheep breeds in Turkey. Kafkas Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, 17 (5): 725-729.
Jamshidi R, Kasirian MM, Rahimi GA (2013). Application of PCR-RFLP technique to determine Booroola gene polymorphism in the Sangsari sheep breed of Iran. Turkish Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, 37(2): 129-133.
Jansson T (2014). Genes involved in ovulation rate and litter size in sheep. Bachelor Thesis, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala Sweden. P 19.
Karslı T, Balcıoğlu, MS (2010). Türkiye’de Yetiştirilen Altı Yerli Koyun Irkında BMPR-IB (Booroola) Geninde FecB Allel Varlığının PCR-RFLP Yöntemiyle Araştırılması. Kafkas Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, 16(6): 1033-1036.
Karslı T, Şahin E, Karslı, BA, Eren MG, Balcıoğlu MS (2011). Kangal ve Güney Karaman Koyunlarinda FecB, FecXG, FecXH Allellerinin PCR-RFLP Yöntemi Kullanılarak Araştirilmasi. Lalahan Hayvancılık Araştırma Enstitüsü Dergisi, 51(2): 71-80.
Liu Q, Pan Z, Wang X, Hu W, Di R, Yao Y, Chu M (2014). Progress on major genes for high fecundity in ewes. Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering, 1(4): 282-290.
Piper LR, Bindon BM (1983). The Booroola Merino and the performance of medium non-Peppin crosses at Armidale. Wool Technology and Sheep Breeding, 31(1): 13-19.
Polat YÖ (2006). Sakız koyun ırkında BMPR-IB geninde çoklu doğuma neden olabilecek FEC B alleli varlığının PCR-RFLP yöntemi ile araştırılması. Ph.D. Thesis, Uludağ University (Unpublished), Turkey.
Polley S, De S, Brahma B, Mukherjee A, Vinesh PV, Batabyal S, Arora JS, Pan S, Samanta AK, Datta TK, Goswami SL (2010). Polymorphism of BMPR1B, BMP15 and GDF9 fecundity genes in prolific Garole sheep. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 42(5): 985-993.
Pramod RK, Sharma SK, Kumar R, Rajan A (2013). Genetics of ovulation rate in farm animals. Veterinary World, 6(11): 833-838.
Talafha AQ, Ababneh MM (2011). Awassi sheep reproduction and milk production. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 43(7): 1319-1326.
TIGEM (2020). Tarım İşletmeleri Genel Müdürlüğü. Retrieved September 24, 2021, from https://www.tigem.gov.tr/Haber/HaberDetay/a6a69fa2-a83b-45c3-8ad0-a430b4229efe. Üstün H, Oğan MM (2013). Main productive performance of Awassi sheep in the Central Anatolian Region of Turkey. Turkish Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, 37(3): 271-276.
Wilson T, Wu XY, Juengel JL, Ross IK, Lumsden JM, Lord EA, Dodds KG, Walling GA, McEwan JC, O’Connell AR, Kenneth PM, Montgomery GW (2001). Highly prolific Booroola sheep have a mutation in the intracellular kinase domain of bone morphogenetic protein IB receptor (ALK-6) that is expressed in both oocytes and granulosa cells. Biology of Reproduction, 64(4): 1225-1235.