Investigation on prolificacy variation in four sheep populations from Iranian nomads using joint information of phenotypes, DNA markers and geographic information system

The genetic diversity of the world’s livestock populations is decreasing, both within and across breeds. The conservation of livestock genetic variability is thus important, especially when considering possible future changes in production environments. Current research focuses on GIS analysis of the sheep diversity based on fecundity and DNAmarkers of four sheep breeds over Iran. A totalof 97 mature ewes (Afshari=19; Baluchi=18; Makui=30 and Mehraban=30) collected with known single or twin lambings from different locations of Iran to assess genetic diversity of fecundity using morphology, DNA information analysis and DIVA-geographic information system (GIS). Polymorphism of two GDF9 and BMP15 candidate geneswas investigated using PCR RFLP. Litter size was significantly influenced by genotype of each gene, and heterozygous genotypes for both loci showed higher litter size than the homozygous genotypes (P<0.01). According to the obtainedresults, the regions that are richest in diversity located in North West of Iran. DIVA-GIS showed the highest diversity index for fecundity between Iranian indigenous sheep. The highest diversity index for fecundity was observed in the sheep breed from North West parts of Iran.