RELATIONSHIP OF GDF-9 GENE POLYMORPHISM WITH REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE IN AWASSI SHEEP.

The study was conducted on 50 ewes Awassi(3-6 years of age) to determine the genotypes in the 2nd exon of the GDF-9 gene and its relation to reproductive performance. The nucleotide sequences technique used to determine the DNA. Results showed two mutations in the studied area, G4 (G721A and G750A), The G4 mutation has led to a change in the genetic code of the desired amino acid (Glu241Lys)while the G750A was the variant Arg250Arg. The differences in the distribution of genotypes and the initial frequency of mutations were significant (P <0.01), 70%, 30% and 92%, 8% for GG and GA for mutations G4 and G750A, respectively. The initial recurrence of both wild allele G and mutant A for mutations was 0.85, 0.15 and 0.96, 0.04, respectively. The interaction between the studied mutations was studied to reach a precise elective recommendation GGGG-bearing ewes were highest in fertility rate (1.61) (AGAG) were the lowest in fertility rate (1.22) single births per abdomen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]