Genetic screening of FecB, FecX and FecX mutations and their linkage with litter size in Barki and Rahmani sheep breeds.

Characterization of fecundity genes offers the opportunity to improve production efficiency, and the consequent increase in litter size in livestock industry, through utilizing them in breeding programs. The main objective of this study was to detect the BMPR-IB, BMP15 and GDF9 gene mutations and to investigate whether these mutations are associated with litter size in Egyptian sheep breeds. To achieve this goal, 73 adult ewes representing Barki (n = 33) and Rahmani (n = 40) breeds were used. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) screening approach was used to detect the presence of FecB, FecX and FecX mutations in the two selected breeds. Results of this study showed that the three different candidate gene mutations, namely FecB, FecX and FecX are not present among these selected populations of the Egyptian breeds. Further studies regarding other mutations and/or other genes, which may influence ovulation rate, should be carried out to determine the type and mode of inheritance of such genes in Egyptian sheep breeds.