qPCR and HRM-based diagnosis of SNPs on growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9), a gene associated with sheep (Ovis aries) prolificacy

Prolificacy is a desirable trait for genetic improvement of sheep flocks, since it holds the potential to improve productivity. Animals carrying single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes associated with this trait can be identified and employed to increase prolificacy in flocks. In this study, we report a diagnostic method based on quantitative PCR and high-resolution melting curves to detect different SNPs in the prolificacy-associated gene growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9). The diagnostic method was validated using artificial sequences representing known SNPs in GDF9, then applied to a real flock comprising four breeds and admixed animals (n = 306). Five different SNPs were identified in this flock, as was a low or null frequency of occurrence of SNPs positively associated with prolificacy. This indicates a need to implement a breeding strategy for recovering or reintroducing such SNPs. Our method provides a genotyping strategy for identifying individuals with SNPs of interest for prolificacy, which will help producers plan a breeding strategy for this trait. This method can be adapted and expanded for the diagnosis of other traits of interest.