Simultaneous identification of FecB and FecX G mutations in Chinese sheep using high resolution melting analysis

Abstract

The aim of this research was to investigate the genetic structure at FecB (BMPR 1B), and FecX G (BMP15) prolificacy genes in five sheep breeds (strains) reared in china: Small Tail Han, Gansu Alpine Fine Wool Sheep, Poll Dorset × Small Tail Han F2 (DH F2), Borderdale × Small Tail Han F2 (BH F2) and Borderdale × Mongolian Sheep F2 (BM F2). Using an high-resolution melting (HRM) method for the simultaneous screening of FecB and FecX G mutations, FecB mutation was discovered in Small Tail Han, DH F2 and BH F. Out of 98 individuals of Small Tail Han, 40 were homozygous (BB), 47 heterozygous (B + ) and 11 non-carriers (+ + ) for the FecB mutation. The frequency of the FecB allele in this sample was about 0.65. Results indicated that the frequency of the FecB mutation is high in Small Tail Han, but heterozygous genotype (B + ) was only found in DH F2 and BH F2. None of the sheep breeds carried the FecX G mutation. These findings verify that HRM is a reliable, rapid, and sensitive method for FecB and FecX G mutations screening. Furthermore, our study will facilitate the use of FecB allele and FecX G in improving the prolificacy of non-prolific sheep breeds of China.