Genes controlling ovulation rate in sheep

Sheep provide a valuable model for studying the genetic control of ovulation rate. Recent progress includes the identification of mutations in BMP15 (bone morphogenetic protein 15) that increase ovulation rate in heterozygous carriers and block follicular development in homozygous carriers. The genes characterized to date appear to act principally within the ovary and result in earlier maturity of granulosa cells and reduced follicular size. There may also be other sites of action, and increased FSH concentrations appear to be important in the expression of the FecB phenotype. A new locus on the X chromosome in New Zealand Coopworth sheep increases ovulation rate by about 0.4 and is maternally imprinted. Results from studies in the Cambridge and Belclare breeds indicate that further genes remain to be characterized. Finding the first mutations leading directly to variation in ovulation rate is likely to speed up the identification and molecular analysis of these other genes. There is still much to learn about follicular development and the control of litter size from genetic models in sheep.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				Q. Li, L. J. McKenzie, and M. M. Matzuk Revisiting oocyte-somatic cell interactions: in search of novel intrafollicular predictors and regulators of oocyte developmental competence Mol. Hum. Reprod., December 1, 2008; 14(12): 673 - 678. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. B. Gilchrist, M. Lane, and J. G. Thompson Oocyte-secreted factors: regulators of cumulus cell function and oocyte quality Hum. Reprod. Update, March 1, 2008; 14(2): 159 - 177. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. M Young, J. L Juengel, K. G Dodds, M. Laird, P. K Dearden, A. S McNeilly, K. P McNatty, and T. Wilson The activin receptor-like kinase 6 Booroola mutation enhances suppressive effects of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), BMP4, BMP6 and growth and differentiation factor-9 on FSH release from ovine primary pituitary cell cultures J. Endocrinol., February 1, 2008; 196(2): 251 - 261. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Hoekstra, Z. Z. Zhao, C. B. Lambalk, G. Willemsen, N. G. Martin, D. I. Boomsma, and G. W. Montgomery Dizygotic twinning Hum. Reprod. Update, January 1, 2008; 14(1): 37 - 47. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. C. Lucy The bovine dominant ovarian follicle J Anim Sci, March 1, 2007; 85(13_suppl): E89 - E99. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. G Knight and C. Glister TGF-{beta} superfamily members and ovarian follicle development. Reproduction, August 1, 2006; 132(2): 191 - 206. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. X. Liao, R. K. Moore, and S. Shimasaki Functional and Molecular Characterization of Naturally Occurring Mutations in the Oocyte-secreted Factors Bone Morphogenetic Protein-15 and Growth and Differentiation Factor-9 J. Biol. Chem., April 23, 2004; 279(17): 17391 - 17396. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Shimasaki, R. K. Moore, F. Otsuka, and G. F. Erickson The Bone Morphogenetic Protein System In Mammalian Reproduction Endocr. Rev., February 1, 2004; 25(1): 72 - 101. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. E. Echternkamp, A. J. Roberts, D. D. Lunstra, T. Wise, and L. J. Spicer Ovarian follicular development in cattle selected for twin ovulations and births J Anim Sci, February 1, 2004; 82(2): 459 - 471. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Webb, P. C. Garnsworthy, J.-G. Gong, and D. G. Armstrong Control of follicular growth: Local interactions and nutritional influences J Anim Sci, January 1, 2004; 82(13_suppl): E63 - 74. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. E. Nilsson and M. K. Skinner Bone Morphogenetic Protein-4 Acts as an Ovarian Follicle Survival Factor and Promotes Primordial Follicle Development Biol Reprod, October 1, 2003; 69(4): 1265 - 1272. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. L. Juengel, N. L. Hudson, D. A. Heath, P. Smith, K. L. Reader, S. B. Lawrence, A. R. O'Connell, M. P.E. Laitinen, M. Cranfield, N. P. Groome, et al. Growth Differentiation Factor 9 and Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 Are Essential for Ovarian Follicular Development in Sheep Biol Reprod, December 1, 2002; 67(6): 1777 - 1789. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]