Polymorphism in BPM-15 gene and its association with litter size in Anglo-Nubian goat

S.M Abdel-Rahman,Y.A Mustafa,A.A El-Hanafy,A.M Elmaghraby,Errasool Abd

doi:10.2298/bah1304675a

Abstract

For association between BMP-15 (exon2) gene polymorphisms and litter size trait in Anglo-Nubian goat, PCR-SSCP technique was developed. Twenty-five female Anglo-Nubian goats reared under Egyptian conditions were selected according to their litter size. DNA from blood samples of these animals was extracted to amplify 140-bp of the BMP-15 gene affecting litter size production trait in goats. Based on the breeding value, 25 animals were selected from the highest to the lowest litter size productivity. PCR amplification size of the BMP-15 gene (140-bp) was genotyped in all animals. PCR-SSCP analysis of the BMP-15 gene (140-bp) showed three various genotypes BB, BM and MM with frequencies 0.46, 0.43 and 0.11, respectively. The frequencies of the B and M alleles were 0.68 and 0.32, respectively. The results indicated that the BB genotype was higher in litter size productivity than the other genotypes with significant differences. The result of this study confirmed that BMP-15 gene may be a strong candidate gene for further applications in marker-assisted selection (MAS) for litter size in goats.

Highlights

Ovulation rate is determined by a complex exchange of endocrine signals between the pituitary gland and the ovary and paracrine and possibly autocrine signals within ovarian follicles involving the oocyte and its adjacent somatic cells (Dong et al, 1996; Galloway et al, 2000; Eppig, 2001; Galloway et al, 2002)
Twenty-five female Anglo-Nubian goats kept under Egyptian conditions were chosen according to litter size productivity
PCR-Single stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP) technique was developed to associate between BMP-15 gene polymorphisms and litter size trait in Anglo-Nubian goat

Summary

Introduction

Ovulation rate is determined by a complex exchange of endocrine signals between the pituitary gland and the ovary and paracrine and possibly autocrine signals within ovarian follicles involving the oocyte and its adjacent somatic cells (Dong et al, 1996; Galloway et al, 2000; Eppig, 2001; Galloway et al, 2002). Different mutations in BMP 15 gene in women and ewes have been shown to cause defects in folliculogenesis. Five naturally occurring mutations in exon 2 of the sheep BMP15 gene such as FecXG, FecXB, FecXI, FecXH, FecXL leads to infertility in homozygous ewes due to defects in early folliculogenesis (Chu et al, 2005; McNatty et al, 2005; Bodin et al, 2007), where as heterozygous ewes have increased ovulation rate and litter size. It is essential to study the genetics and reproduction in goat breeds using modern genetic methods. One of these methods is marker-assisted selection (MAS) which will be useful for increasing and accelerating the rate of genetic improvement on litter size and encourage its uptake it by commercial goat breeders

Methods

Results

Conclusion