Abstract Three pairs of primers were designed to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms of partial 3′untranslated region (UTR) of bone morphogenetic protein receptor IB (BMPR-IB) gene in four sheep breeds (Small Tail Han, Hu, Texel and Chinese Merino sheep) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). Only the products amplified by primer P1 displayed polymorphisms. For primer P1, two genotypes (AA and BB) were detected in Hu sheep, and only one genotype AA in the other three breeds. Sequencing revealed two mutations（121T→C and 195T→C）of BMPR-IB gene in the genotype BB in comparison to the genotype AA.
