Genetic polymorphism of the BMP15 gene in West African sheep (Fulani) breed in Sudan

Abstract

Genetic polymorphism studies in domestic animals aim at assessing genetic variations within and across breeds mainly for preservation purposes. The bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP 15) gene is a growth factor and a member of the transforming growth factor (TGFβ) superfamily specifically expressed in oocytes. One of the very exciting and perhaps crucial actions of BMP-15 is its ability to inhibit Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) receptor expression. The West African sheep originated in the West African republics. Three strains were named after a person (Omer Uda) conveyed to Sudan in 1930. These breeds include (Uda, Sankara, and Weila) strains. They are habitually raised to gather as mixed pastoral flocks and trailed altered paths during the summer and autumn. Genetic polymorphism of the BMP 15 gene in Sudanese sheep is not reported. Consequently, this work aimed to study the genetic polymorphism in BMP-15 in West African sheep breeds. Blood samples were taken from thirty ewes of West African sheep. DNA samples were isolated from blood samples using the Guanidine chloroform method, and the quality of the DNA was checked on 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. Mutation in the BMP15 gene was screened using the forced PCR-RFLP technique. The fundamental discovery of the present study was the nonexistence of polymorphism at the BMP15 gene in West African sheep. The nucleotide sequence of the PCR product (141 bp) revealed that the C nucleotide has not changed to T at this locus (C-T) of the BMP15 gene in all samples.