Detection of carrier Booroola (Fec(B)) allele in BMPR1B gene of MEGA (Merino × Garut) sheep and its association with growth traits

BACKGROUND: Bone morphogenetic protein receptor 1B (BMPR1B) gene is one of candidate genes for reproductive and growth traits in sheep. The present study was aimed to detect the Booroola (Fec(B)) allele in BMPR1B gene and its association with growth traits in MEGA (Merino × Garut) sheep. A total of 82DNA samples collected from individual lamb (mixed-sex) blood were genotyped for allelic polymorphism using a PCR–RFLP method. RESULTS: The PCR analysis in BMPR1B gene resulted the amplicons with size of140 bp. The RFLP analysis with AvaII restriction enzymeresultedtwo allelic types of wildtype (A/Fec(+)) and mutant or Booroola (G/Fec(B)) with frequency of 0.89 and 0.11, respectively. However, the genetic diversity in BMPR1B/AvaII gene of animal studies was categorized tolow category (PIC = 0.18)and under in a genetic equilibrium (χ(2) = 1.25). CONCLUSIONS: Itshowed us that carrying Fec(B) allele in the heterozygous sheep were not associated with growth traits in MEGA sheep.