Screening of FecLL prolific allele of the B4GALNT2 gene in Algerian sheep populations

Authors

    A. Hadjazi, F.Z. Belharfi, F.Z. Mahammi, S. Fabre, S.B.S. Gaouar, N. Tabet-Aoul

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19182/remvt.37433

Keywords


Sheep, genotypes, genetic polymorphism, productivity, landraces, Algeria

Abstract

Background: Research on the main genes controlling prolificacy in sheep, also known as fecundity genes (Fec genes), has highlighted the mechanisms involved in ewe fertility and the genetic improvement of prolificacy. The gene, FecL/B4GALNT2 (beta-1,4-N-acetyl-galactosaminyl transferase 2) and its prolific allele FecLL, which segregate in French Lacaune sheep and some local sheep breeds in Morocco and Tunisia, were found to influence ovarian function. However, their action differs from that of other major genes discovered previously, such as: FecX/BMP15 (bone morphogenetic protein 15); FecG/GDF9 (growth differentiation factor 9); and FecB/BMPR1B (bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 1B). The latter act in the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling pathway. Aim: The objective of this study is to investigate the segregation of the FecLL allele in Algerian sheep populations. Methods: A total of 338 animals from 12 breeds were genotyped using the PCR-RFLP technique. Results: Our results revealed the presence of FecLL in the Algerian D’man sheep population. Among the genotyped D’man sheep, 21% were carriers of the mutation in the heterozygous state. The frequency of the FecLL allele in the Algerian D’man population (0.11) is close to what is observed in Lacaune sheep and remains relatively low compared to Moroccan (0.58) and Tunisian (0.65) D’man sheep. Conclusions: The FecLL allele, which is shared by the French Lacaune population and the North African D’man populations, could indicate the ancestral origin of the mutation in B4GALNT2 or the occurrence of an ancient introgression event to improve prolificacy. Managing this mutation in Algerian D’man flocks could help improve the numerical productivity of D’man sheep in Algeria.

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Affiliations

  • A. Hadjazi
    hadjaziassia1@gmail.com
    Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Département de Génétique Moléculaire Appliquée, Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie, Université des Sciences et de la Technologie d’Oran Mohamed Boudiaf, Oran, Algeria
  • F.Z. Belharfi Laboratoire de Génétique Appliquée en Agronomie, Ecologie et Santé publique (GenApAgiE), Département de biologie, Faculté SNV/STU, Université Abou Bekr Belkaid, Tlemcen, Algeria
  • F.Z. Mahammi
    Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Département de Génétique Moléculaire Appliquée, Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie, Université des Sciences et de la Technologie d’Oran Mohamed Boudiaf, Oran, Algeria ; École Supérieure en Sciences Biologiques d’Oran (ESSBO), Oran, Algeria
  • S. Fabre
    Laboratoire GenPhySE, INRAE Occitanie Toulouse, Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement, Centre Occitanie, Toulouse, France
  • S.B.S. Gaouar
    Laboratoire de Génétique Appliquée en Agronomie, Ecologie et Santé publique (GenApAgiE), Département de biologie, Faculté SNV/STU, Université Abou Bekr Belkaid, Tlemcen, Algeria
  • N. Tabet-Aoul
    Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Département de Génétique Moléculaire Appliquée, Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie, Université des Sciences et de la Technologie d’Oran Mohamed Boudiaf, Oran, Algeria ; Département de Biotechnologie, Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie, Université Oran 1

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Received

2024-03-20

Accepted

2024-06-17

Published

2024-07-11

How to Cite

Hadjazi, A., Belharfi, F. Z., Mahammi, F. Z., Fabre, S., Gaouar, S. B. S., & Tabet-Aoul, N. (2024). Screening of FecLL prolific allele of the B4GALNT2 gene in Algerian sheep populations. Revue d’élevage Et De médecine vétérinaire Des Pays Tropicaux, 77, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.19182/remvt.37433

Issue

Vol. 77 (2024)

Section

Animal production and animal products

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© A.Hadjazi et al., hosted by CIRAD 2024

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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