Detection of G1 point mutation (c.2039G>A) in GDF9 gene of MEGA (Merino × Garut) sheep

Abstract

The G1 point mutation (R87H) has been used as molecular selection for prolificacy trait in sheep. This mutation occured at c.2039G>A (exon 1) of GDF9 gene (GenBank: AF078545.2) and produced a desirable Fec^G1 allele. This study was aimed to detect the evidence of G1 point mutation in MEGA (Merino × Garut) sheep with a sequencing method. Detection of G1 point mutation in this study was conducted by applying thirty (30) MEGA sheep at the breeding station. Research showed that a carrier Fec^G1 (A) allele was detected only in one animal sample. Hence, the frequency of Fec^G1 allele in MEGA sheep was very low (0.02). It can be concluded that the presence of Fec^G1 allele in MEGA sheep was rarely detected. In the future, the dept study with large animal sample and another regions of GDF9 gene observation are important to obtain the genetic marker for reproductive traits of MEGA sheep.