Comparison of the growth performance traits in F1 crossbred lambs between two strains Booroola Merino × Moghani and Booroola Romney × Moghani
Abstract
The BMPR1B gene is one of the major genes controlling litter size in sheep. The SNP OAR6:
29382188A>G (NC_019463.1) is known as the Booroola/FecBB fecundity mutation with
additive effect on litter size. In the present work, Iranian Moghani ewes were artificially
inseminated with sperm from two strains of homozygous Booroola carrier rams from New
Zealand, Merino Tamlet and Romney. As expected for the first generation, F1 crossbred
lambs of Booroola Merino × Moghani and Booroola Romney × Moghani were genotyped as
heterozygous carriers of the Booroola mutation (FecBB/+ genotype) using restriction fragment
length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Growth of F1 lambs was followed by regular
weighing and measuring from birth to 11 months of age. While birth weight was the same, the
growth rate was significantly increased in F1 Booroola Romney × Moghani crossbred lambs
compared to Booroola Merino × Moghani lambs after 3 months of age. In contrast, the body
measurements showed no differences. These results suggest that the Booroola Romney ×
Moghani crossbreed may be appropriate for a strategie to create a composite breed based on
local Moghani sheep with expected increased prolificacy and optimal lamb growth rates
taking advantage of the good maternal qualities of the Moghani ewes
Origin | Files produced by the author(s) |
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