Expression of the FecB Gene in Garole and crossbred ewes in Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Obulation rate (OR) and litter size (LS) records from 227 1/4 Garole ewes genotyped for 'FecB' were analysed. Roughtly half of the 1/4 Garole ewes were heterozygotes ('FecB'^B+) and half were non-carriers ('FecB'^++). One copy of 'FecB' increased OR from 1.03 to 2.02 and LS from 1.01 to 1.83 (average of second and third parities) in multiparous ewes. The other breeds and crosses studied were largely confounded with 'FecB' genotype. However, the results were similar when records of ewes of different genetic backgrounds, i.e. non-carrier Deccani and Bannur ewes and heterozygote Garole and F1 ewes, were added to the analysis. The increase in prolificacy caused by the introduction of the 'FecB' gene into a non-prolific breed such as the Deccani is likely to produce a useful outcome with a manageable range of litter sizes in flocks carrying the gene.