V. International Congress on Domestic Animal Breeding, Genetics and Husbandry - 2021 (ICABGEH-21), Odessa, Ukrayna, 27 - 30 Eylül 2021, cilt.1, ss.45-48
High litter size or twinning is an economically important trait that enhances sheep productivity. The FecXG has been influentially associated with the ovulation rate in various sheep breeds. However, there is limited information about this locus in the Kivircik sheep breed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of the Galway (FecXG) mutation in Kivircik sheep (n=91). Genomic DNA was isolated from whole blood using the phenol-chloroform extraction method. The genotyping was performed by the PCR-RFLP method. Results revealed that all ewes were the Galway mutation (FecXGG) carriers and the corresponding genotype was fixed in the studied population. The present analysis showed that the Galway mutation which is a nucleotide alteration (cytosine to thymine) at position 718 bp of the BMP15 (also known as FecX) gene may be considered in enhancing twinning in the Kivircik breed. However, further analyses with larger populations are needed to confirm the present results and to provide more detailed information before focusing on this genomic region in breeding programs for purebred Kivircik sheep.