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| Polymorphism of BMP4 Gene and Its Relationship with Prolificacy of Small Tail Han Sheep |
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Abstract The bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) gene was studied as a candidate gene for the prolificacy of Small Tail Han sheep. Single nucleotide polymorphisms of exon 2, exon 3 and exon 4 of BMP4 gene were detected in high fecundity breed (Small Tail Han sheep) and low fecundity breeds（Chinese Merino, Corriedale and South African Mutton Merino sheep）by PCR-SSCP. No polymorphism was detected for exon 2 and exon 4 of BMP4 gene in four sheep breeds. Polymorphism was detected for exon 3 of BMP4 gene in four sheep breeds. For exon 3, three genotypes (AA, AB and BB) were detected in four sheep breeds. In Small Tail Han, Chinese
Merino, Corriedale and South African Mutton Merino sheep, frequency of genotype AA was 0.017, 0.216, 0.115, 0.429, frequency of genotype AB was 0.102, 0.317, 0.269, 0.500, frequency of genotype BB was 0.881, 0.467, 0.616, 0.071, respectively. Sequencing revealed one singlenucleotide mutation C→A at 305 bp of exon 3 of BMP4 gene in genotype BB in comparison to genotype AA, and this mutation resulted in an amino acid change of alanine→aspartic acid. The Small Tail Han ewes with genotype BB had 0.61 (P<0.05) or 1.01 (P<0.05) lambs more than those with genotype AB or AA.
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Received: 03 April 2007
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