Abstract :
The Black Bengal is a prolific goat breed in India. Natural mutations in prolific sheep breeds
have shown that the transforming growth factor beta (TGF- ) super family ligands such as
growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9), bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and their
type I receptor (bone morphogenetic protein receptor, BMPR1B) are crucial for ovulation
and as well as for increasing litter size. Mutations in any of these genes increased prolificacy
in sheep. Based on the known mutation information in sheep PCR primers were designed to
screen known polymorphism in 88 random Black Bengal goats. Only the BMPR1B gene was
polymorphic. Three genotypes of animals were detected in tested animals with mutant
(FecBB) and wild type (FecB+) alleles were 0.57 and 0.43, respectively. Non-carrier, heterozygous
carrier and homozygous carrier Black Bengal does had 2.7, 3.04 and 3.11 kids,
respectively. All known point mutations of BMP15 and GDF9 genes were monomorphic in
the animals tested. These results preliminarily showed that the BMPR1B gene might be a
major gene that influences prolificacy of Black Bengal goats.
