Evaluation of polymorphism in BMP-15 gene and the relationship with milk production and reproductive performance in Iraqi awassi ewes

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the relationship of BMP-15 gene polymorphism with total milk production (TMP), milk components and fecundity by using 60 Awassi ewes in the First Research Station/College of Agriculture/AL-Muthanna University. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to detect polymorphisms of BMP-15 gene in this sheep breed. Results of gene which encloses the Hinf1 endonuclease restriction enzyme show two genotypes (AA and BB). The frequencies of the A and B alleles not differed significantly in the sample (0.48 and 0.52 respectively). The results showed the absence of heterozygous (AB). Results showed a significant difference (P˂0.01) between the ewes with AA and BB genotypes on TMP, it was 69.62 and 76.52 kg for AA and BB genotypes respectively while the lactation period was not differed significantly between the AA and BB groups. Lactose percent was affected significantly (P˂0.05) by BMP-15 polymorphism, the highest value was in AA group (4.51%) compared with BB (4.41%) while percent of milk fat, milk protein and solid not fat content were not affected significantly by BMP-15 polymorphism. Litter size was affected significantly (P˂0.01) by BMP-15 genotype, the highest litter size was in BB group (1.26) while the least litter size was in AA group (1.07).