Genetic Basis of Prolificacy in Sheep

Abstract

The aim of any animal breeder is to get maximum possible profit from the domestic livestock. This can be achieved by improving the genetic potential by appropriate selection methods. The selection aimed at increasing fecundity will ultimately improve the reproduction rate and production efficiency in small ruminants. But selection for reproduction traits is usually difficult to achieve due to their low heritability values. So alternative selection method (Marker Assisted Selection) with higher accuracy in prediction of breeding value can be adopted for these traits. Therefore research community constantly searches some major genes that can act as marker influencing fertility in animals.