Investigation on prolificacy variation in four sheep populations from Iranian nomads using joint information of phenotypes, DNA markers and geographic information system

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Graduated MSc. Student, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, College of Aburaihan, University of Tehran

2 Assistant professor, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Tabriz

3 Young Researchers and Elite Club, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran

4 Associate Professor, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan

5 Ph.D. student, Department of plant Biotechnology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Putra, Serdang, Malaysia

Abstract

The genetic diversity of the world’s livestock populations is decreasing, both within and across breeds. The conservation of livestock genetic variability is thus important, especially when considering possible future changes in production environments.  Current research focuses on GIS analysis of the sheep diversity based on fecundity and DNAmarkers of four sheep breeds over Iran. A totalof 97 mature ewes (Afshari=19; Baluchi=18; Makui=30 and Mehraban=30) collected with known single or twin lambings from different locations of Iran to assess  genetic  diversity of fecundity using  morphology, DNA information analysis  and  DIVA-geographic  information  system  (GIS). Polymorphism of two GDF9 and BMP15 candidate geneswas investigated using PCR-RFLP. Litter size was significantly influenced by genotype of each gene, and heterozygous genotypes for both loci showed higher litter size than the homozygous genotypes (P<0.01). According to the obtainedresults, the regions that are richest in diversity located in North West of Iran. DIVA-GIS showed the highest diversity index for fecundity between Iranian indigenous sheep. The  highest  diversity index  for  fecundity was  observed  in  the  sheep breed from  North West   parts  of  Iran.

Keywords


Armstrong D. T. and Evans G. 1983. Factors influencing success of embryo transfer in sheep and goat. Theriogenology, 19: 31–42.
Bindon B. M. and Piper L. R. 1986. The reproductive biology of prolific sheep breeds. Oxford Reviews of Reproductive Biology, 8: 414–451.
Boettcher M., Tixier-Boichard M. A., Toro H., Simianer H., Eding G., Gandini S., Joost D., Garcia L. and Colli P. 2010. Objectives, criteria and methods for using molecular genetic data in priority setting for conservation of animal genetic resources. Animal Genetics, 41: 64–77.
Boland  M. P.,  Lonergan  P. and O’Callaghan D. 2001. Effect  of  nutrition  on  endocrine parameters,  ovarian  physiology,  and  oocyte  and  embryo  development. Theriogenology, 55: 1323-1340.
Booth  B.  D., Murphy  S.  D. and Swanton  C.  J.  2003. Weed ecology in natural and agricultural systems. CABI Publishing. 303 p.
Cushman S. A. and McGarigal K. 2004. Hierarchical analysis of forest bird species-environment relationships in the Oregon Coast range. Ecological Applications, 14: 1090-1105.
Esmailizadeh A. K., Dayani O. and Mokhtari M. S. 2009. Lambing season and fertility of fat-tailed ewes under extensive production system are associated with live weight and body condition around mating. Animal Production Science, 49: 1086–1092.
Gordon I. 1997. Embryo transfer and associated techniques in sheep. In: Controlled Reproduction in Sheep and Goats. Cambridge University  Press, Cambridge, 280-317.
Hijmans  R., Guarino  L., Cruz  M. and Rojas E. 2001a. Computer tools for spatial analysis of plant genetic resources data: 1. DIVA-GIS. Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter, 127: 15-19.
Hijmans R. J., Cruz M., Rojas E. and Guarino L. 2001b. DIVA-GIS, version 1.4. A geographic information system for the analysis of biodiversity data. Manual. International Potato Center, Lima, Peru.
Javanmard A., Azadzadeh N. and Esmailizadeh A. K. 2011.Mutations in bone morphogenetic protein 15 and growth differentiation factor 9 genes are associated with increased litter size in fat-tailed sheep breeds. Veterinary Research Communications, 35(3): 157-167.
Osman  A. H. 1987. Near East Sheep Breeding and Improvement. World Animal Review, 54. FAO, Rome Italy.
Rhind S. M. 1992. Nutrition: its effects on reproductive performance and its hormonal control in female sheep and goats. In: Speedy, A.W. (Ed.), Progress in sheep and goat research. CAB International, Oxford,  25–51.
Sahani K. L., Tiwari S. B. and Sahani M. S. 1976. Effect of season on the occurrence of oestrus and fertility in different breed of sheep under semi arid condition. Indian Veterinary Journal,53: 515–522.
Sawyer G. J. 1979. The influence to radiant heat load in Merino ewes. II. The relative effects of heating before and after insemination. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 30: 1143–1149
Souza C. J. H., MacDougall C., Campbell B. K. and McNeilly A. S. 2001. The Booroola (FecB) phenotype is associated with a mutation in the bone morphogenetic receptor type 1B (BMPR1B) gene. Journal of Endocrinology, 169: R1–R6.
Tavakolian J. 2000. An Introduction to Genetic Resources of Native Farm Animals in Iran. Animal Science Genetic Research Institute Press, Tehran, Iran (in Persian).
Thwaites C. J. 1971. Short term heat stress and embryo mortality in the sheep. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, 11: 265–267
Yeh F. C., Yang R. C., Boyle T. B. J., Ye Z. H. and Mao J. X.1997. POPGENE,  the  user-friendly  shareware  for  populationgenetic analysis. Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Centre,University of Alberta, Alberta.
Yoder  R. A. , Hudgens R. E., Perry T. W., Johnson K. D. and Deikman M. A. 1990. Growth and reproductive performance of ewe lambs fed corn or soybean meal while grazing pasture. Journal of Animal Science, 68: 21-27.