Identification of mutations in BMP15 and GDF9 genes associated with prolificacy of Markhoz goats

Abstract The Markhoz is a local goat breed in the Kurdistan region of Iran. The mohair obtained from these animals plays an important cultural role and is used for making local clothes in the Kurdistan region. This breed is a low-fecundity local goat, and searching for genes associated with fertility of these goats is important for their breeding. Moreover, this research is complementary to prior studies of candidate genes associated with fertility. The growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) are attractive candidates expressed by the oocyte and are associated with increased ovulation rate in sheep. However, there are no reports on single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with fertility of Markhoz goats. Hence, we studied these candidate genes and found two novel mutations (g.233C>A and g.755T>G) in GDF9 exon I and in BMP15 exon II, respectively. Furthermore, we investigated their association with prolificacy. These nucleotide changes are detectable with the PCR-RFLP method and can be used in the screening for highly fecund goats. Both of the mutations significantly increased litter size in heterozygote form for BMP15 and homozygote form for GDF9 in this goat breed. Homozygote females for the BMP15 mutation were not identified in the Markhoz breed, which is similar to the situation found in Belclare sheep, small-tailed Han sheep, and Jining Grey goats.

[1]  Z. Liang,et al.  Polymorphism identification in BMP15 and GDF9 genes and their association with egg production in chickens , 2015, British poultry science.

[2]  A. Singhi,et al.  Differential ovarian morphometry and follicular expression of BMP15, GDF9 and BMPR1B influence the prolificacy in goat. , 2013, Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene.

[3]  P. Zamani,et al.  Association of BMPR-1B and GDF9 genes polymorphisms and secondary protein structure changes with reproduction traits in Mehraban ewes. , 2013, Gene.

[4]  Rekha Sharma,et al.  Screening of indigenous goats for prolificacy associated DNA markers of sheep. , 2013, Gene.

[5]  M. Gazouli,et al.  Associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms of GDF9 and BMP15 genes and litter size in two dairy sheep breeds of Greece , 2012 .

[6]  S. Eghbalsaied,et al.  Presence of SNPs in GDF9 mRNA of Iranian Afshari Sheep , 2012, International journal of fertility & sterility.

[7]  S. K. Ghorui,et al.  Polymorphism of growth hormone BMP-15 gene in Marwari goat. , 2012 .

[8]  M. Chu,et al.  Polymorphisms of caprine POU1F1 gene and their association with litter size in Jining Grey goats , 2011, Molecular Biology Reports.

[9]  F. Paulini,et al.  The role of oocyte-secreted factors GDF9 and BMP15 in follicular development and oogenesis. , 2011, Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene.

[10]  A. Esmailizadeh,et al.  Mutations in bone morphogenetic protein 15 and growth differentiation factor 9 genes are associated with increased litter size in fat-tailed sheep breeds , 2011, Veterinary Research Communications.

[11]  X. L. Liu,et al.  Polymorphisms of caprine GDF9 gene and their association with litter size in Jining Grey goats , 2011, Molecular Biology Reports.

[12]  M. Chu,et al.  Analysis on DNA sequence of KiSS-1 gene and its association with litter size in goats , 2010, Molecular Biology Reports.

[13]  M. Chu,et al.  Polymorphisms of BMPR-IB gene and their relationship with litter size in goats , 2010, Molecular Biology Reports.

[14]  A. Barzegari,et al.  Polymorphisms in GDF9 and BMP15 associated with fertility and ovulation rate in Moghani and Ghezel sheep in Iran. , 2009, Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene.

[15]  M. Chu,et al.  Analysis on DNA sequence of GPR54 gene and its association with litter size in goats , 2010, Molecular Biology Reports.

[16]  A. Farshad,et al.  The Estrous Cycle of the Markhoz Goat in Iran , 2008 .

[17]  M. Chu,et al.  Association Between PCR-SSCP of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 Gene and Prolificacy in Jining Grey Goats , 2007, Animal biotechnology.

[18]  M. Chu,et al.  Mutations in BMPR-IB and BMP-15 genes are associated with litter size in Small Tailed Han sheep (Ovis aries). , 2007, Journal of animal science.

[19]  Phil G Knight,et al.  TGF-beta superfamily members and ovarian follicle development. , 2006, Reproduction.

[20]  M. Mullen,et al.  Mutations in the Genes for Oocyte-Derived Growth Factors GDF9 and BMP15 Are Associated with Both Increased Ovulation Rate and Sterility in Cambridge and Belclare Sheep (Ovis aries)1 , 2004, Biology of reproduction.

[21]  J. Juengel,et al.  Effects of Immunization Against Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 and Growth Differentiation Factor 9 on Ovulation Rate, Fertilization, and Pregnancy in Ewes1 , 2004, Biology of reproduction.

[22]  M. Matzuk,et al.  Synergistic roles of bone morphogenetic protein 15 and growth differentiation factor 9 in ovarian function. , 2001, Molecular endocrinology.

[23]  G. Montgomery,et al.  Mutations in an oocyte-derived growth factor gene (BMP15) cause increased ovulation rate and infertility in a dosage-sensitive manner , 2000, Nature Genetics.