DETECTION OF POLYMORPHISMS MAJOR GENE GDF9 IN CORRIEDALE FLOCKS IN AYSEN REGION, CHILE

Abstract

In several sheep breeds, polymorphisms have been identified in genes that present major effects on ovulation rate. Different single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in growth differentiation factor 9 gene (GDF9) can cause increased prolificacy and infertility in sheep. The aim of this study was to identify the presence of the FecG1 (G1) and FeGH (G8) polymorphisms in Corriedale sheep of the Region of Aysén, Chile. Ninety-two blood samples from four commercial sheep flocks were collected and analyzed by PCR-RFLP techniques. G1 was detected in the samples analyzed. Genotype frequencies were 0.73 (genotype +/+), 0.27 (genotype +/-), 0 (genotype -/-), while alleles frequencies were 0.86 (allele +) and 0.14 (allele -), respectively. This is the first report of polymorphisms associated with prolificacy in Corriedale sheep in Chile, which corresponds to a dual-purpose breed of great importance in the Austral zone of the country; its role as a maternal breed in intensive meat production systems works together with the selection of highly prolific lines within the breed in order to increase lamb marking percentage in terminal crossbreeding
systems.