Access to sheep genome sequences significantly improves the chances Background of identifying genes that may influence the health, welfare, and productivity of these animals. : A public, searchable DNA sequence resource for U.S. sheep was created Methods with whole genome sequence (WGS) of 96 rams. The animals shared minimal pedigree relationships and represent nine popular U.S. breeds and a co...

The physiological mechanisms controlling ovarian follicular growth and ovulation involve a complex exchange of systemic signals and a localized exchange of molecules between the oocyte and surrounding somatic cells. It has been demonstrated that the oocyte itself plays an essential role in regulating these processes by secreting two key regulatory proteins: bone morphogenetic protein-15 (BMP15)...

Recent studies report the production and isolation of a stable bioactive recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 15 (rhBMP15) that is appropriately processed in HEK-293 cells and activates the SMAD 1/5/8 pathway in mouse granulosa cell cultures. Further, the purified rhBMP15 induces the expression of genes associated with cumulus expansion. Thanks to recent research, we have a greater unde...

The size of the primordial follicle pool determines the reproductive potential of mammalian females, and establishment of the pool is highly dependent on specific genes expression. However, the molecular mechanisms by which the essential genes are regulated coordinately to ensure primordial follicle assembly remain a mystery. Here, we show that the small GTPase Rac1 plays an indispensable role ...

Oocyte-derived growth factors are critically involved in multiple ovarian processes via paracrine actions. Although recombinant proteins have been applied to dissect the physiological functions of these factors, variation of activities among different protein preparations remains an issue. To further elucidate the roles of one of these growth factors, bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15), in m...

Few studies have demonstrated plasticity of egg size within the confines of an egg size-number trade-off in response to trophic conditions in fishes. Moreover, the physiological mechanisms that govern this plasticity are not known. Growth differentiation factor 9 (Gdf9) and bone morphogenetic factor 15 (Bmp15) are oocyte-specific factors implicated in follicular growth and ovulation in mammals....

. Litter size is one of the crucial factors in livestock production and high economic value, which affected by ovulation rate, hormones, growth factors. Growth play a multifaceted role reproductive physiology. This review aims to investigate association bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) with litter livestock. The transforming β (TGF- β) superfamily includes m...