Detection of polymorphism in booroola gene and growth differentiation factor 9 in Lori sheep breed

Purpose: This study was carried out for detection of possible polymorphisms in Booroola gene (FecB) and growth differentiation factor 9 [GDF9] in Lori sheep breed. Methods: Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein of the sheep and their DNA content extracted using modified salting-out method. The quantity and quality of extracted DNA was examined by absorption spectrophotometry and gel electrophoresis. Using two pairs of specific primers, two DNA fragments were amplified from FecB (190 bp) and exon 1 of GDF9 (462 bp) genes. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products were digested using AvaII and HhaI restriction enzymes for FecB and GDF9 genes, respectively. Results: In FecB locus, two genotypes, viz, wild type (+/+) and carrier-mutants (B/+), were detected with genotype frequencies of 0.948 and 0.052, respectively. Also, at GDF9 locus, two genotypes, namely, wild type (+/+) and carrier-mutants (+/-), were detected with genotype frequencies of 0.67 and 0.33, respectively. Heterozygous genotype frequencies for both loci showed higher than homozygous genotypes. None of the sheep carried homozygous genotype for both of the FecB and GDF9 variants in this breed. Conclusion: The results of the present study reveal slight polymorphism in FecB and GDF9 loci of Lori sheep breed.