Identification of polymorphisms in the oocyte‐derived growth differentiation growth factor 9 (GDF9) gene associated with litter size in New Zealand sheep (
            Ovis aries
            ) breeds

Litter size is one of the most important economic traits in sheep. GDF9 and BMPR1B are major genes affecting the litter size of sheep. In this study, the whole coding region of GDF9 was sequenced and all the SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) were determined in Luzhong mutton ewes. The FecB mutation was genotyped using the Sequenom MassARRAY®SNP assay technology. Then, the association analyses between polymorphic loci of GDF9 gene, FecB, and litter size were performed using a general linear model procedure. The results showed that eight SNPs were detected in GDF9 of Luzhong mutton sheep, including one novel mutation (g.41769606 T > G). The g.41768501A > G, g.41768485 G > A in GDF9 and FecB were significantly associated with litter size in Luzhong mutton ewes. The g.41768485 G > A is a missense mutation in the mature GDF9 protein region and is predicted to affect the tertiary structure of the protein. The results preliminarily demonstrated that GDF9 was a major gene affecting the fecundity of Luzhong mutton sheep and the two loci g.41768501A > G and g.41768485 G > A may be potential genetic markers for improving litter size.

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Identification of sequence variation in the oocyte-derived bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) gene (BMP15) associated with litter size in New Zealand sheep (Ovis aries) breeds

Molecular Biology Reports ◽

10.1007/s11033-021-06627-z ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Hamed Amirpour Najafabadi ◽

Majid Khansefid ◽

Ghassan Ghaith Mahmoud ◽

Ishaku Lemu Haruna ◽

Huitong Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Bone Morphogenetic Protein ◽

Litter Size ◽

Sequence Variation ◽

Ovis Aries ◽

Morphogenetic Protein ◽

Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15

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The impact of maternal genetic merit and country of origin on ewe reproductive performance, lambing performance and ewe survival

Translational Animal Science ◽

10.1093/tas/txab070 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

N Fetherstone ◽

N McHugh ◽

T M Boland ◽

F M McGovern

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Litter Size ◽

Country Of Origin ◽

Reproductive Traits ◽

Gestation Length ◽

Genetic Merit ◽

Genetic Groups ◽

One Year ◽

The Impact

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of the ewe’s maternal genetic merit and country of origin (New Zealand or Ireland) on ewe reproductive, lambing and productivity traits. The study was performed over a four year period (2016 to 2019) and consisted of three genetic groups: high maternal genetic merit New Zealand (NZ), high maternal genetic merit Irish (High Irish) and low maternal genetic merit Irish (Low Irish) ewes. Each group contained 30 Suffolk and 30 Texel ewes, selected based on the respective national maternal genetic indexes; i.e. either the New Zealand Maternal Worth (New Zealand group) or the €uro-star Replacement index (Irish groups). The impact of maternal genetic merit on reproductive traits such as litter size; lambing traits such as gestation length, birth weight, lambing difficulty, mothering ability, and productivity traits such as the number of lambs born and weaned were analyzed using linear mixed models. For binary traits, the impact of maternal genetic merit on reproductive traits such as conception to first AI service; lambing traits such as dystocia, perinatal lamb mortality and productivity traits such as ewe survival were analyzed using logistic regression. New Zealand ewes outperformed Low Irish ewes for conception to first AI (P<0.05) and litter size (P=0.05). Irish ewes were more likely to suffer from dystocia (6.84 (High Irish) and 8.25 (Low Irish) times) compared to NZ ewes (P<0.001); birth weight and perinatal mortality did not differ between groups (P>0.05). Lambs born from NZ ewes were 4.67 (95% CI: 1.89 to 11.55; P<0.001) and 6.54 (95% CI: 2.56 to 16.71; P<0.001) times more likely to stand up and suckle unassisted relative to lambs born from High or Low Irish ewes, respectively. New Zealand and High Irish ewes had a greater number of lambs born and weaned throughout the duration of the study compared to their Low Irish counterparts (P<0.001). New Zealand ewes tended to be more likely to survive from one year to the next compared to Low Irish ewes (P=0.07). Irish ewes of high maternal genetic merit outperformed their Low counterparts in total number of lambs born and weaned per ewe, but performance did not differ across other traits investigated. This highlights the importance of continuous development of the Irish maternal sheep index to ensure favourable improvements in reproductive, lambing and productivity traits at farm level. Overall, results demonstrate the suitability of NZ genetics in an Irish production system.

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Bombardioidea stercoris. [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria].

IMI Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria ◽

10.1079/dfb/20210033619 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

D. W. Minter

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

New Zealand ◽

Canary Islands ◽

Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽

Bos Taurus ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Ovis Aries ◽

Lepus Europaeus ◽

Falkland Islands ◽

Faroe Islands

Abstract A description is provided for Bombardioidea stercoris, a dung-inhabiting fungus associated with Bos taurus, Cervidae, Lepus europaeus, L. timidus, Oryctolagus cuniculus and Ovis aries. Some information on its morphology, economic impacts, habitats, dispersal and transmission and conservation status is given, along with details of its geographical distribution (Canada (Quebec), Argentina, Chile, Falkland Islands/Malvinas, Spain (Canary Islands), Australia (Victoria), New Zealand, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark (including Faroe Islands), Estonia, France, Germany, Irish Republic, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK and former Yugoslavia).

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EVALUASI REPRODUKSI INDUK KELINCI NEW ZEALAND PADA BERBAGAI PARITAS (Studi Kasus di UD. Alastika Jaya Desa Tulungrejo Kecamatan Gandusari Kabupaten Blitar)

AVES Jurnal Ilmu Peternakan ◽

10.35457/aves.v13i1.1482 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 23-28

Author(s):

Iva Mardiani Fatimah ◽

Nita Opi Ari kustanti ◽

Edya Moelia Moeis

Keyword(s):

Data Analysis ◽

New Zealand ◽

Litter Size ◽

Research Method ◽

Field Survey ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Average Value ◽

Days Open ◽

Size At Birth

The aim of this study is to find out reproctive performance of New Zealand doe in UD. Alastika Jaya. This study use 35 of 51 doe population as the sample and field survey to take primary and secondary data from observation and interview as the research method. The result of observation and data analysis of study indicate that average value of service per conception (S/C), long of days open, gap of bred after whelped, interval of birth, litter size at birth, and litter size at weaning in a row is 2,17+0,57, 33,33+16,56 days, 32,6+22,14 days, 65,67+16,54 days, 6,65+2,54 kits, dan 4,24+2,05 kits

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Association of gdf9 Gene Polymorphisms With Litter Size in Indigenous Sheep of Bangladesh

Research in Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries ◽

10.3329/ralf.v7i2.48871 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 283-292

Author(s):

Faruk Hossain ◽

Sharmin Akter Suma ◽

Mohammad Shamsul Alam Bhuiyan

Keyword(s):

Gene Polymorphism ◽

Litter Size ◽

Gene Polymorphisms ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Animal Protein ◽

Selection Program ◽

Indigenous Sheep ◽

Gdf9 Gene

Sheep in Bangladesh are well known as efficient users of low quality roughages, welladapted to hot and humid agro-climatic conditions, capable of bi-annual lambing withmultiple births and resistant to common prevalent diseases. They play an important role inthe supply of animal protein. Present study aimed to investigate possible association ofGDF9 gene polymorphisms with litter size. A total of 126 DNA samples extracted from theblood of indigenous sheep from 5 locations namely Tangail, Noakhali, Naogaon,Gaibandha and Satkhira with known litter size were used to study the association ofGDF9 polymorphism by PCR based RFLP method. Two polymorphic regions of GDF9(FecG1 and FecG8) were amplified by PCR, digested with respective restriction enzymesand 126 sheep were genotyped. Current study revealed that genotype and allelefrequency for FecG1 varied among the sheep from different locations. The genotype (GG,AG, AA) frequency were 51.59%, 45.24% and 3.17% and the allele (G and A) frequenciesin the overall population were 74.21% and 25.79%, respectively. There was a significantassociation of FecG1 of GDF9 gene polymorphism with litter size. The homozygous GGgenotype had the lowest litter size (1.59±0.09; n=65) and homozygous AA genotype hadthe highest litter size (2.00±0.41; n=4). No genotypic variations were found for FecG8.Findings of this study specially the polymorphism of FecG1 together with genotyping ofsome sheep could be utilized in the selection program to increase the lamb productionpotentiality of indigenous sheep of Bangladesh. Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.7(2): 283-292, August 2020

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