Litter size is one of the most important economical traits in sheep breeding industry. In addition to minor genes, litter size is under the influence of major genes. Bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP-15), a member of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) superfamily, which is specifically expressed in oocytes, plays a dramatic role in sheep prolificacy. Reported mutations in this gene ca...

litter size is one of the most important economical traits in sheep breeding industry. in addition to minor genes, litter size is under the influence of major genes. bone morphogenetic protein 15 (bmp-15), a member of the transforming growth factor beta (tgf-ß) superfamily, which is specifically expressed in oocytes, plays a dramatic role in sheep prolificacy. reported mutations in this gene ca...

The GH gene and BMP15 gene have been used as candidate genes for ­marker-assisted selection in different livestock species. Random blood samples were obtained from 180 Zel sheep breed to study genetic polymorphism of these genes. DNA was extracted from blood samples and a 365 bp fragment from the exon V of the ovine growth hormone gene and a 312 bp region from exon II of BMP15 gene were amplifi...

The Finnish Landrace (Finnsheep) is a well known high-prolificacy sheep breed and has been used in many countries as a source of genetic material to increase fecundity of local breeds. Analyses to date have indicated that mutations with a large effect on ovulation rate are not responsible for the exceptional prolificacy of Finnsheep. The objectives of this study were to ascertain if: 1) any of ...