FecB基因在9个绵羊品种中的多态性及其与产羔数和羔羊生长发育的相关性

以绵羊BMPR-IB基因为候选基因,应用PCR-RFLP方法通过分析湖羊、夏洛来、陶赛特、萨福克、罗米丽、中国美利奴羊、中国美利奴肉用多胎品系以及陶赛特×中国美利奴羊和萨福克×中国美利奴羊杂交后代共615只个体的FecB基因多态性,以及BMPR-IB基因多态性对产羔数、体尺和体重的影响.结果表明,BMPR-IB基因在不同品种(系)绵羊中共有3种基因型(BB、B+和++),但基因型频率分布在各品种(系)间差异极显著(P<0.01).在湖羊中仅有BB基因型;在中国美利奴肉用多胎品系中BB、B+和++基因型频率分别为51%、30%和19%;而其他品种(系)羊中则仅有++基因型.对中国美利奴羊肉用多胎品系研究,发现BB和B+基因型群体平均产羔数分别为2.8和2.3,显著高于++基因型群体(1.2,P<0.01).在90日龄时,BB和B+基因型群体的体重分别为18.6±3.70 kg和18.0±3.31 kg,显著高于++基因型群体(15.6±2.22kg,P<0.05);此外,90日龄时,BB和B+基因型群体比++基因型群体胸围、胸宽较大(P<0.05);但这些差异在120日龄时消失.另外,我们还发现不同地区群体的第一胎产羔数存在明显差别.这些结果表明,BMPR-IB基因为影响绵羊产羔数的主效基因,并首次证明该基因对后代羔羊出生后生长发育具有加性效应.     

绵羊微卫星BMS2508和FecB基因的多态及连锁分析

文章分析与绵羊高繁殖力主效基因FecB紧密连锁的微卫星座位BMS2508在高繁殖力绵羊品种(小尾寒羊)和低繁殖力绵羊品种(特克塞尔、多赛特和中国美利奴)中的遗传多态性, 同时探讨该微卫星座位与小尾寒羊FecB基因的连锁不平衡关系。高繁殖力品种小尾寒羊在骨形态发生蛋白受体IB(Bone morphogenetic protein receptor IB, BMPR-IB)基因编码序列第746位碱基处发生了与Booroola Merino绵羊相同的FecB突变(A746G), 而在低繁殖力的特克塞尔、多赛特和中国美利奴绵羊中没有检测到该突变; 小尾寒羊BB、B+、++的基因型频率分别为0.485、0.398和0.117。微卫星座位BMS2508在4个绵羊品种的438个个体中共检测到8个等位基因和15种基因型, 最小等位基因为94 bp, 最大等位基因为116 bp; 小尾寒羊(n = 307)、特克塞尔(n = 45)、多赛特(n = 46)、中国美利奴(n = 40)和BB型(n = 149)、B+型(n = 122)、++型(n = 36)小尾寒羊群体中优势等位基因分别是100 bp、94 bp、94 bp、112 bp、100 bp、100 bp、112 bp, 其频率分别为0.453、0.544、0.802、0.475、0.483、0.439、0.389。连锁不平衡分析显示小尾寒羊FecB基因B等位基因与BMS2508微卫星座位100 bp等位基因之间存在一定的连锁不平衡(D′=0.408), 而+等位基因与BMS2508微卫星座位110 bp和114b p等位基因均存在一定的连锁不平衡(D′=0.513)。     

四引物扩增受阻突变体系PCR快速测定绵羊 BMPR-IB基因型方法的建立

四引物ARMS PCR是检测SNP有效、快速、简便的方法.绵羊BMPR-lB基因是控制Booroola绵羊多胎性状的主效基因,此研究目的在于建立一种对BMPR-IB基因四引物ARMS PCR检测方法.根据四引物ARMS PCR技术原理,在绵羊BMPR-IB基因突变位点(A746G)设计一对特异性引物,并在突变点两侧设计一对参照引物,用来扩增含有突变点的DNA片段,可在一步PCR反应中根据电泳图谱准确判断绵羊个体的BMPR-IB基因型,对比PCR-RFLP检测结果表明,所建立的方法简单,操作简便,大大提高了检测效率.     

撒坝猪血清酯酶多态性与繁殖性能关系的研究

采用垂直板聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳法(PAGE), 对115头撒坝猪的血清酯酶(ES)多态性进行了检测,计算了该位点的基因型频率、基因频率和位点多态杂合度(h),并用二因素有互作的最小二乘模型对血清酯酶多态性与繁殖性能的关系进行了分析。结果表明,撒坝猪血清酯酶3种基因型AA、AB和BB的频率分别为0.2696、0.5826和0.1478。两个等位基因A和B的基因频率分别为0.5609和0.4391。该位点的杂合度为0.4926。在3种基因型中,不同基因型母猪的繁殖性能在产仔数、仔猪初生窝重、20日龄窝重、断奶仔猪数和断奶窝重等性状上存在着显著差异(P<0.05);公、母猪不同基因型交配组合在产仔数、断奶仔猪数、仔猪断奶体重和断奶窝重等性状上亦有显著差异(P<0.05)。显示出猪的血清酯酶多态性可望作为繁殖性能选种的遗传标记。 Abstract：　Serum esterase polymorphisms of 115 Saba pigs were investigated by using the method of vertical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The genotype frequency, gene frequency and heterozygosity of this locus were calculated. The relationship between the serum esterase polymorphism and reproductive performance was analyzed by the least square analysis of two factors (ES genotype of boar and sow) with interaction. The results demonstrated that the genotype frequency of AA, ABandBBwas 0.2696, 0.5826 and 0.1478 respectively, the gene frequency of the alleleAandBwas 0.5609 and 0.4391 respectively. The heterozygosity of this locus was 0.4926. There are significant differences (P<0.05) on litter size, litter weight at birth, litter weight at 20 days, litter size at weaning and litter weight at weaning of different genotypic sows. The significant differences (P<0.05) were showed on litter size, litter size at weaning, weaning weight and litter weight at weaning of different genotypic mating combinations. It indicated that the serum esterase polymorphism was expected to be the genetic marker of pig reproductive performance.     

撒坝猪血清酯酶多态性与繁殖性能关系的研究

采用垂直板聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳法(PAGE), 对115头撒坝猪的血清酯酶(ES)多态性进行了检测,计算了该位点的基因型频率、基因频率和位点多态杂合度(h),并用二因素有互作的最小二乘模型对血清酯酶多态性与繁殖性能的关系进行了分析。结果表明,撒坝猪血清酯酶3种基因型AA、AB和BB的频率分别为0.2696、0.5826和0.1478。两个等位基因A和B的基因频率分别为0.5609和0.4391。该位点的杂合度为0.4926。在3种基因型中,不同基因型母猪的繁殖性能在产仔数、仔猪初生窝重、20日龄窝重、断奶仔猪数和断奶窝重等性状上存在着显著差异(P<0.05);公、母猪不同基因型交配组合在产仔数、断奶仔猪数、仔猪断奶体重和断奶窝重等性状上亦有显著差异(P<0.05)。显示出猪的血清酯酶多态性可望作为繁殖性能选种的遗传标记。 Abstract：　Serum esterase polymorphisms of 115 Saba pigs were investigated by using the method of vertical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The genotype frequency, gene frequency and heterozygosity of this locus were calculated. The relationship between the serum esterase polymorphism and reproductive performance was analyzed by the least square analysis of two factors (ES genotype of boar and sow) with interaction. The results demonstrated that the genotype frequency of AA, ABandBBwas 0.2696, 0.5826 and 0.1478 respectively, the gene frequency of the alleleAandBwas 0.5609 and 0.4391 respectively. The heterozygosity of this locus was 0.4926. There are significant differences (P<0.05) on litter size, litter weight at birth, litter weight at 20 days, litter size at weaning and litter weight at weaning of different genotypic sows. The significant differences (P<0.05) were showed on litter size, litter size at weaning, weaning weight and litter weight at weaning of different genotypic mating combinations. It indicated that the serum esterase polymorphism was expected to be the genetic marker of pig reproductive performance.     

FSHβ subunit gene is associated with major gene controlling litter size in commercial pig breeds

An insertion fragment in porcine FSHβ subunit gene was cloned by PCR. Sequencing data show that the insertion is a retroposon of 292 bp siting in intronⅠ at the site between +809 and +810 base. Based on these results, a PCR programme was created to genotype animal individuals in different pig breeds at FSHβ locus and polymorphism of FSHβ gene was analyzed. With the combination of genotype and litter size of sows, it was demonstrated that FSHβ locus is closely associated with major gene controlling litter size in commercial pig breeds, such as Yorkshire, Landrace, Durco. Averagely the AA sows give more 1.5 piglets than BB sows do per litter.     

优良的BMPR-IB基因型可提高绵羊冷冻胚胎的受胎效果

以控制BooroolaMerino羊高繁殖力的BMPR-IB基因为候选基因,以小尾寒羊及其杂交羊、东北半细毛羊、澳洲美利奴羊、德国肉用美利奴羊、萨福克羊、特克塞尔羊、夏洛莱羊为试验对象,采用PCR-限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)方法进行基因单核苷酸多态性(SNP)检测和基因型分析,同时研究基因对高繁殖力的影响.研究结果表明:小尾寒羊及其杂交羊、东北半细毛羊和夏洛莱羊群体中发现了与BooroolaMerino羊相同的A746G碱基突变,而小尾寒羊及其杂交羊群体的B等位基因频率明显高于其他2个品种.另外4个品种中未发现此突变.携带B等位基因的群体较非携带B等位基因群体排出更多的卵子,排卵后黄体直径较小.移植入冷冻胚胎后, 、B 和BB3种基因型群体的妊娠率分别为38.78%、45.71%和66.67%.由此推断,BMPR-IB基因突变很有可能从增加卵巢排卵数和提高胚胎着床及妊娠建立效率两个方面同时影响绵羊高繁殖力性状.所得BB型群体冻胚移植妊娠率明显高于 和B 型群体,已接近鲜胚移植水平,通过PCR-RFLP方法进行基因型分析,选用合适基因型群体作为胚胎移植受体,有可能为提高绵羊胚胎移植受胎率提供新的方向.     

BMPR-IB基因对绵羊产羔数影响的回顾和Meta分析

为了验证澳大利亚美利奴绵羊的候选基因研究中骨形态发生蛋白受体IB型(BMPR-IB)基因与产羔数增加是否有关,及随后在不同的绵羊品种中进行的研究显示了不同的结果,特别是在亚洲地区的绵羊品种中更是如此的现象。因此,有必要对不同绵羊品种的各种研究进行Meta分析,合并加权均数差(WMD)和置信区间(CI)以评估这些关联的强度。试验共包括18项研究,其中10 895个样本用于BMPR-IB基因多态性。结果表明,观察到BMPR-IB基因与绵羊胎产羔数之间存在显著的相关性(BB vs.++:WMD=0.88, 95%CI=0.73～1.04,p0.01; B+vs.++:WMD=0.53, 95%CI=0.45～0.64,p=0.01),并且BMPR-IB基因的作用对于绵羊的产羔量是加性的(每个等位基因的一个拷贝增加约0.5个羔羊)。说明这种涉及非常大样本量的Meta分析意味着BMPR-IB基因与绵羊胎产仔数之间的显著关联,应进一步研究以确定这些不一致结果中常见因果变体的潜在机制。     

IGFBP3基因多态性与秦川牛部分屠宰性状的相关性 Polymorphisms of Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 Gene and Its Associations with Several Carcass Traits in Qinchuan Cattle

以IGFBP3基因作为秦川牛（Bos taurus）部分屠宰指标的侯选基因,在对60头秦川牛的IGFBP3基因进行PCR-RFLP和序列分析的基础上,对秦川牛群体中IGFBP3基因座等位基因和基因型频率的分布及其与秦川牛部分屠宰性状的关系进行了分析。结果发现,在秦川牛群体中,651 bp的PCR 产物经过限制性内切酶HaeIII消化后,表现出3种基因型,其中等位基因A、B及3种基因型AA、AB、BB的频率分别为0.84、0.16和070、0.28、0.02。经序列分析发现,第299位的C→A颠换（GGCC变成了GGAC）导致了1个HaeIII限制性酶切位点的丢失而产生了该基因座多态性。在所研究的群体中,该多态基因座处于Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态（P＞005）。对13头24月龄秦川牛进行屠宰分析,发现不同基因型对秦川牛部分屠宰指标有一定影响,AA、AB及BB型个体的屠宰率、净肉率及西冷、牛柳、眼肉和嫩肩肉的产率逐渐降低,但差异不显著（P＞0.05）;AA型个体的眼肌面积大于BB型个体（P＜0.05）,AB型和BB型个体胴体脂肪含量高于AA型个体（P＜0.01）。 Abstract:DNA samples from 60 Qinchuan cattle (Bos taurus) were analyzed with PCR-RFLPs and sequencing for insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) gene.Fragments of 651 bp were amplified with two primers and the products of PCR were digested with restriction endonuclease HaeIII.The produced fragments showed three genotypes,namely AA,AB and BB after electrophoresis.Frequencies of the genotype AA,AB,BB and allele A,B were 0.7,0.28,0.02,and 0.84,0.16,respectively.Sequence analysis showed that a transversion of C→A at 299 nt resulted in loss of the cleaved site of restriction endonuclease HaeIII and produced this polymorphism.This polymorphic locus of IGFBP3 gene was at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P＞0.05).The genotypes of AA,AB,BB slightly affected several slaughter and carcass traits of Qinchuan cattle.Dressing percentage,net meat percentage,striplion percentage,tenderloin percentage,ribeye percentage and tender shoulder percentage were decreased with the genotypes of AA,AB and BB in Qinchuan cattle,but it was not significant (P＞0.05).Average ribeye area in individuals of AA genotype was significantly higher than that in individuals of BB genotype (P＜0.05),and beef fat content in individuals of genotype AB and BB was significantly higher than that in individuals of AA genotype (P＜0.01).     

检测绵羊BMPR-IB基因多态性寡核苷酸芯片的制备

FecB基因是控制中国美利奴羊排卵率和产羔数的主效基因,由于A746G的点突变而导致绵羊表型的变化。本研究的目的在于根据FecB基因的多态性,制备寡核苷酸芯片检测绵羊FecB基因的单核苷酸多态性（SNP）,设计六条特异性的探针,用基因芯片点样仪将探针点样到醛基修饰的载玻片上,采集绵羊的血液样本,在芯片反应舱中,检测FecB基因A746G点突变,设计对应的软件进行判读,分析检测结果,与PCR-RFLP检测结果完全符合,证明制备的寡核苷酸芯片可以并行、准确而高效地检测FecB基因的多态性,能够作为分子标记辅助选育多胎绵羊的一种合适的检测技术。     

BMPR-IB和BMP15基因作为小尾寒羊多胎性能候选基因的研究

以控制BooroolaMerino羊多胎性能的BMPR IB基因 ,以及影响Invedale和Hanna羊排卵数的BMP15基因作为候选基因 ,从分子水平上对小尾寒羊的多胎机制进行研究 ,分析突变位点的特性 ,并通过大规模的群体检测统计推断其遗传效应。实验结果表明 :多胎品种小尾寒羊在BMPR IB基因的相应位置上发生了与BooroolaMerino羊相同的突变 (A74 6G) ,该基因的BB基因型在小尾寒羊群体内为优势基因型 ,且小尾寒羊初产和经产母羊的BB基因型比 ++基因型分别多产 0 97羔 (P <0 0 5 )和 1 5羔 (P <0 0 1) ,推测BMPR IB基因与控制小尾寒羊多胎性能的主效基因存在紧密的遗传连锁。而BMP15基因在小尾寒羊中不存在V31D或Q2 3Ter突变 ,说明小尾寒羊的多胎遗传机制与Romney羊不同 ,因此排除了BMP15突变影响小尾寒羊排卵数的可能性。     

Polymorphism of FecB gene in nine sheep breeds or strains and its effects on litter size, lamb growth and development

Nine sheep breeds or strains, including 615 individuals were screened with forced PCR RFLP method for the FecB gene to study the polymorphism and its effects on litter sizes, body weights and body sizes. Results show that the polymorphism frequencies of FecB gene are significantly imbalanced in these breeds or strains. The Hu sheep were all homozygous carriers (BB). In the Chinese Merino prolific meat strain, the genotype frequencies of BB, B+ and ++ are 51%, 30% and 19%, respectively, whereas all the other flocks had only the wild-type (++) genotype. Results within Chinese Merino prolific meat strain showed that mean litter sizes of ewes with genotype BB and B+ are 2.8 (+/-0.74) and 2.3 (+/-0.63) (P > 0.05), whereas ++ ewes had a litter size of only 1.2 (+/-0.68) (P < 0.01). At 90 days after birth, the body weights of BB/B+ lambs were higher than that of ++ lambs (18.6 +/- 3.70 kg, 18.0 +/- 3.71 kg versus 15.6 +/- 2.22 kg, P < 0.05). In addition, the heart girth and chest width of BB/B+ lambs were significantly longer than ++ lambs (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in either body weight or body size at day 120. Litter size at first lambing from Hu at Natural Source Conservative Region was found to be significantly higher than that from the other two regions sampled (P < 0.05). In addition to the additive effect on litter size, these findings show for the first time that the FecB gene had a positive effect on early postnatal body growth.     

三种绵羊BMP15基因第二外显子多态性及与产羔数的相关性分析

绵羊存在影响多胎性状的不同主效基因,选择影响Romney Hanna绵羊和Cambridge绵羊高繁殖力的骨形态发生蛋白15 (bone morphogenetic protein 15, BMP15)为候选基因,采用PCR-SSCP的方法检测BMP15基因外显子Ⅱ第747位点(T747→C)和755位点(T755→C)在蒙古羊、甘肃高山细毛羊、小尾寒羊三种绵羊母羊中的多态性,同时还研究了上述两处突变对三种绵羊产羔数的影响。表明:(1)一共检测到野生纯合型AA、突变杂合型AB (T747→C)、AC (T755→C)三种不同的基因型,AA为优势基因型,A为优势等位基因;(2)三种基因型在甘肃高山细毛羊中均被检测到,而蒙古羊和小尾寒羊中未检测出AB基因型;(3)突变杂合型蒙古羊(AC)比野生纯合型(AA)的平均产羔数多0.27只(p<0.05)。(4)AC的基因型频率,双羔母羊和多羔母羊均高于单羔母羊。根据以上实验推测,BMP15第755位点发生的T→C突变(AC型)对蒙古羊一胎产双羔影响十分显著,甘肃高山细毛羊中AC基因型的绵羊其产羔数有比AA基因型和AB基因型多的趋势,因此该位点可能是一个影响绵羊高繁殖力潜在的DNA标记。     

Polymorphism of FecB Gene in Nine Sheep Breeds or Strains and Its Effects on Litter Size, Lamb Growth and Development

Nine sheep breeds or strains, including 615 individuals were screened with forced PCR RFLP method for the FecB gene to study the polymorphism and its effects on litter size, body weight and body size. Results showed that the polymorphism frequencies of FecB gene were significantly imbalanced in these breeds or strains. The Hu sheep were all homozygous carriers of FecB gene(BB). In the Chinese Merino prolific meat strain, the genotype frequencies of BB, B+ and ++ were 51%, 30% and 19%, respectively, whereas all the other flocks had only the wild-type (++) genotype. Results within the Chinese Merino prolific meat strain showed that the mean litter size of ewes with genotype BB and B+ were 2.8 (±0.74) and 2.3 (±0.63) (P<0.05). whereas ++ genotype ewes had a litter size of only 1.2 (±0.68) (P<0.01). At day 90 after birth, the body weights of BB/B+ genotype lambs were higher than that of ++ genotype lambs (18.6±3.70 kg. 18.0±3.71 kg vs 15.6±2.22 kg, P<0.05). In addition, the heart girth and chest width of BB/B+ genotype lambs were significantly longer than those of the ++ lambs (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in either body weight or body size at day 120. Litter size at first lambing from Hu at Natural Source Conservative Region was found to be significantly higher than that from the other two regions sampled (P<0.05). In addition to the additive effect on litter size, these findings showed for the first time that the FecB gene had a positive effect on early postnatal body growth.     

Polymorphism of 5′ regulatory region of ovine FSHR gene and its association with litter size in Small Tail Han sheep

Single nucleotide polymorphisms of 5?? regulatory region of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) gene were detected in two high prolificacy sheep breeds (Small Tail Han and Hu sheep) and two low prolificacy sheep breeds (Corriedale and Chinese Merino sheep) by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP). The results indicated that there were three genotypes (AA, AB and BB) detected by primer 1 in Hu sheep while only one genotype (AA) in other three sheep breeds, and frequencies of AA, AB and BB genotypes in Hu sheep were 0.700, 0.225 and 0.075, respectively. There were three genotypes (EE, EF and EG) detected by primer 3 in Small Tail Han sheep while only EE genotype occurred in other three sheep breeds, and frequencies of EE, EF and EG genotypes in Small Tail Han sheep were 0.775, 0.200 and 0.025, respectively. No polymorphism was detected in four sheep breeds by primer 2 and primer 4. The sequencing results showed that there were two nucleotide mutations (g. ?681T>C and g. ?629C>T) in genotype BB compared with AA for primer 1. As for primer 3, two mutations (g. ?197G>A and g. ?98T>C) in genotype EF compared with EE and two mutations (g. ?200G>A and g. ?197G>A) in genotype EG compared with EE. The heterozygous ewes with EG or EF had 0.89 (P?<?0.05) or 0.42 (P?<?0.05) lambs more than homozygous ewes (EE genotype) in Small Tail Han sheep, respectively, while there was no significant difference on litter size between EG and EF ewes.     

GDF9 as a candidate gene for prolificacy of Small Tail Han sheep

Growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) which controls the fecundity of Belclare, Cambridge, Santa Ines, Moghani, Ghezel and Thoka ewes was studied as a candidate gene for the prolificacy of Small Tail Han sheep. According to the sequence of ovine GDF9 gene, six pairs of primers were designed to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms of two exons of GDF9 gene in both high fecundity breed (Small Tail Han sheep) and low fecundity breed (Dorset sheep) by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP). Only the products amplified by primers 2-1 and 2-2 displayed polymorphisms. For primer 2-1, three genotypes (AA, AB and BB) were detected in both sheep breeds. Sequencing revealed one silent mutation (G477A) in exon 2 of GDF9 gene in the BB genotype in comparison with the AA, which was known as G3 mutation of GDF9 gene in Belclare and Cambridge ewes. The relationship of least squares means for litter size was AA?>?AB?>?BB in Small Tail Han sheep (P?>?0.05). For primer 2-2, two genotypes (CC and CD) were detected in both sheep breeds. Sequencing revealed one novel single nucleotide mutation (G729T) in exon 2 of GDF9 gene in the CD genotype in comparison with the CC, which resulted in an amino acid change (Gln243His). The ewes with mutation heterozygous genotype CD had 0.77 (P?相似文献   

A review of the effects of the Booroola gene (FecB) on sheep production

Booroola Merino (B^oM) ewes have a high ovulation rate and litter size which in 1980 was postulated to be due to the effects of a major gene (FecB). This was confirmed in breeding experiments and FecB was subsequently shown to be due to a mutation (BMPR-1B) on chromosome 6. The B^oM originated from an Australian commercial fine wool Merino flock (Booroola) and has been used in crossing experiments and for introgression of FecB into many breeds around the world to improve fecundity. The mutation has recently been found in native sheep breeds in India, China and Indonesia and it is likely that FecB in the Australian B^oM was derived from importations of Garole sheep from India in 1792 and 1793.The effects on production traits of the FecB mutation in a range of genetic comparisons, environments and production systems are reviewed. Comparisons involving B^oM crosses with various other breeds and contrasts of FecB homozygous (BB), heterozygous (B+) and non-carrier (++) genotypes in comparable background genotypes, including non-B^oM, have been summarised from 45 reports. The weighted mean effect for ewes carrying one copy of FecB (B+) was +1.3 (range +0.8 to +2.0) for ovulation rate and +0.7 (range +0.4 to +1.3) for litter size. The effect of a second copy (BB) was generally additive for ovulation rate, with little or no increase in litter size for BB ewes among B^oM crosses. However there was generally a further increase in litter size for BB ewes of about half the effect of one copy (B+) in the Indian and Chinese breeds. Poor lamb survival and lamb growth reduced the number of lambs weaned and total weight of lamb weaned by B+ ewes. Most studies still showed a small advantage for B+ ewes, although several reported negative effects. While embryo survival declines at higher ovulation rates, the effects of FecB per se are equivocal. There is some evidence of a higher non-pregnancy rate among homozygous BB ewes. Most studies reported lower birth weight and growth rate from B^oM cross lambs and lambs from crossbred ewes introgressed with FecB. However it is difficult to separate the effects of low background genetic merit for growth of the B^oM and the lower birth weight and growth rate of lambs from larger litters from the genetic effect of carrying FecB. There was little or no difference in growth rate between BB, B+ and ++ genotype lambs. For other traits including, seasonal oestrous activity, carcass and meat quality and wool production, there was no evidence of major effects of FecB. The opportunities for management and nutritional modification of FecB expression and implications for industry adoption are briefly discussed.