Genetic Polymorphism of GDF9 Gene in Iranian Moghani Sheep Breed

The families of TGF-B proteins are the most important growth factors in the ovary for growth and differen-tiation of early ovarian follicles. Three related oocyte-derived members of the transforming growth factor-B superfamily namely growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9), BMP15 and BMPR-IB have been shown to be essential for follicular growth and ovulation. Different mutations in the GDF9 gene cause increased ovula-tion rate and infertility in a dosage-sensitive manner in sheep. In this study, blood samples were collected from 150 Moghani sheep breed using venojects treated with the anti-clot substance (EDTA) and subse-quently their DNA content were salted out and extracted. The quantity and quality of extracted DNA was examined using spectrophotometery and gel electrophoresis, respectively. With using a pair of specific primers, the DNA fragment was amplified from exon 1 of GDF9 (462 bp). Digested PCR products with HhaI enzyme showed a G to A substiuation in GDF9 locus. The wild type allele of this gene (G/+) with two restriction site resulted DNA fragments of 156, 52 and 254 bp while the mutant allele (G/-) with one restric-tion site resulted two DNA fragments with the size of 52 and 410 bp. Genotype frequencies for G (+/+), G (+/-) and G (-/-) were 0.66, 0.24 and 0.1, respectively. From studied luci, GDF9 was polymorphic in Iranian Moghani sheep breed.