FSHR (exon 10) gene polymorphisms and its association with fertility trait in Egyptian Ossimi sheep

For the association between of Follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) gene (partial part of exon 10) polymorphisms and litter size trait in Egyptian Ossimi sheep, polymerase chain reaction-single stranded conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and DNA sequencing techniques were developed. Fifty female Ossimi sheep reared under Egyptian conditions were selected according to their litter size. DNA from blood samples of these animals was isolated to amplify 250-bp of the FSHR gene influencing litter size production trait in sheep. Based on litter size, 50 animals were selected from the highest to the lowest litter size productivity during three seasons. PCR-SSCP analysis of the FSHR gene (250-bp) showed two various genotypes AA and with frequencies 0.64 and 0.36, respectively. The frequencies of the A and B alleles were 0.82 and 0.18, respectively. PCR fragment of FSHR gene (191-bp) was sequenced only in the high and low litter size productivity animals (GenBank accession numbers from MG973191 to MG973207, sequentially). The result indicated that 6SNPs (G/71, G/72, G/77, A/110, A/111, A/191) in high fertile animals, while, 10 SNPs (T/1, C/2, T/14, A/69, A/70, A/71, A/74, G/74, A/75, A/136) have found in low fertile animals. Statistically, AA and genotypes have no significant differences (p> 0.05) on litter size trait in Ossimi sheep. FSHR (exon 10) locus was moderate polymorphic (PIC= 0.25) and it can be used for high litter size productivity in Ossimi sheep as a marker-assisted selection (MAS).