Ismeth Inounu

DNA Tests in Prolific Sheep from Eight Countries Provide New Evidence on Origin of the Booroola (FecB) Mutation

Abstract Recent discoveries that high prolificacy in sheep carrying the Booroola gene (FecB) is the result of a mutation in the BMPIB receptor and high prolificacy in Inverdale sheep (FecXI) is the result of a mutation in the BMP15 oocyte-derived growth factor gene have allowed direct marker tests to be developed for FecB and FecXI. These tests were carried out in seven strains of sheep (Javanese, Thoka, Woodlands, Olkuska, Lacaune, Belclare, and Cambridge) in which inheritance patterns have suggested the presence of major genes affecting prolificacy and in the prolific Garole sheep of India, which have been proposed as the ancestor of Australian Booroola Merinos. The FecB mutation was found in the Garole and Javanese sheep but not in Thoka, Woodlands, Olkuska, Lacaune, Belclare, and Cambridge sheep. None of the sheep tested had the FecXI mutation. These findings present strong evidence to support historical records that the Booroola gene was introduced into Australian flocks from Garole (Bengal) sheep in the late 18th century. It is unknown whether Javanese Thin-tailed sheep acquired the Booroola gene directly from Garole sheep from India or via Merinos from Australia. The DNA mutation test for FecB will enable breeding plans to be developed that allow the most effective use of this gene in Garole and Javanese Thin-tailed sheep and their crosses.

Production performance of prolific Javanese ewes

Abstract Production performance of Javanese ewes (483 ewes with 1263 records) in West Java, Indonesia, was evaluated. The focus was on the effect of prolificacy and environmental sources of variation on lamb survival (S) as a ewe trait and on lambing and weaning outputs. Non-carriers (FecJ + FecJ + ), carriers (FecJ F FecJ + ) and homozygotes (FecJ F FecJ F ) for a gene affecting prolificacy, averaged 1.24, 1.95 and 2.59 lambs born, respectively. Prolificacy-year (PY) effects were significant, with FecJ F FecJ F animals being more sensitive to fluctuations. Repeatability for litter size was 0.51 and heritability 0.62. PY, gestation ewe weight gain (EGG) and parity significantly affected S. Singles, twins, triplets and quadruplets averaged 87, 69, 47, and 35% S, respectively, with fewer lambs surviving in these litter size categories in poor years. Repeatability of S was 0.19. Litter weaning weights (TWW) were influenced significantly by PY, parity and EGG. EGG contributed less than litter birth weight to the determination of S and TWW in all litters, although its contribution to TWW was proportionally higher than that to S. Repeatability of TWW was 0.20. Higher prolificacy led to a diminution of the ewes body resources as indicated by EGG, therefore reducing the ewes ability to support satisfactory birth weights of lambs and lactation, particularly under poor nutrition. With higher EGGs and survival rates under improved nutrition, a single copy of the FecJ F gene increased the productivity of ewes (TWW) by at least 18%; while under suboptimum nutrition, it had a negative effect. There is a need to investigate the nutritional management of animals having the FecJ F gene since the gene is widely distributed in most Indonesian sheep populations.

Estimation of breeding value and genetic trend of Garut sheep and its crossbred

Crossing of Garut (GG) sheep with St. Croix sheep (HH) and Moulton Charollais (MM) resulting HG sheep (♂HH X ♀GG) and MG sheep (♂MM X ♀GG) was done by Indonesian Research Institute for Animal Production. The work continued by crossing MG and HG sheep to obtain HMG (♂HG X ♀MG) and MHG (♂MG X ♀HG) sheep. The study was continued by selection program based on phenotypic performance. Estimation of breeding value and genetic trends were done in order to study the effectiveness of selection program and to study the genetic progress of each breed. The breeding value was estimated by Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) method using Variance Component Estimation (VCE4) software to calculate variance component and using Prediction and Estimation (PEST) to calculate Breeding Value. Genetic variations of composite sheep were generally higher than Garut sheep, represented by higher estimated heritability value. Genetic correlation of body weight at diffrent age is high, that makes selection at one age could also increase body weight at any level of age. In general of this population shows positive genetic trend, but fluctuated from year to year. Composite breed tend to have higher estimated breeding value than Garut sheep. Selection method that was practiced in this population showed in line with selection method using breeding value criteria. Key Word s: Breeding Value, Genetic, BLUP, Garut Sheep, St. Croix, Moulton Charollais

Lambing behavior of Garut ewes and its crosses with St. Croix and Moulton Charollais

Lamb mortality is highly related to ewe behavior at lambing. The purpose of this research was to study ewe lambing behavior and lamb behavior after birth of Garut (GG) sheep and its crosses with St. Croix (HH) and Moulton Charollais (MM). The number of observation were 106 head, consist of 32 GG; 23 of HG; 14 of MG; 31 of MHG and 6 of HMG crossed ewes. Analysis of variance of general linear model (GLM) for different number of sample was used to study ewe behavior of different group of ewes. Linear regression was used to analyze relationships between lambing behavior; times from birth to stand up and ewe body weight. While relationship between labor time and parity or type of birth were analyzed descriptively. Before lambing, ewes stood up, lain down, walked in circle, vocalized, urinated, flehmened, and pawed. HG and HMG ewes stood up less often than other breeds (P<0.05). Lambing time was distributed randomly for GG, HG, MG and MHG ewes, but HMG ewes mostly lambed at night (66.67%). Labor time of HMG ewes was significantly shorter than other breeds (P<0.05) and was not affected by birth weight, birth type and neither by parity. The ewes generally lambed in lay down position. After lambing, ewe normally stood up and cleaned the lamb immediately. The cleaning generally begin from the head progressed down to the whole body. The success for lamb to stand up was not significantly different among breeds. Key Words: Lambing Behavior, Garut, Crossbreeding, St. Croix, Moulton Charollais

Lamb production of prolific sheep

The research was aimed to study factors that affected litter size (JAS), lamb survival (DHA) and litter weight at birth (BL) and at weaning (BS) on prolific ewes. Production records during the year of 1981-1993 were used in this study (1,437 records). Ewe genotypes (G), management levels (M), ewe parity (P) were the fixed effect and ewe gestation gain (PKB) was a covariable that included in the model. Analysis of variance for unbalanced data with general linear model procedure were used. Mean JAS was 1.77. Sources of variation that affected JAS were G, M, P-M interaction, and PKB. One copy of FecF gene increased the number of lambs born by 0.8. Changing toward a better management levels was followed by an increase of JAS. An increased of one kilogram PKB was also followed by an increase of 0.04 litter size born. The mean of BL was 3.43 kg and the sources of variation that affected BL were G, M and P-M interaction. At all management levels, primipara ewes had lower litter size at birth and litter birth weight than the pluripara ewes. Mean DHA found was 73.93%, it was affected by G-M interaction, P and PKB. First parity ewes has 11% lower of DHA than second parity ewes. An increase of 1 kg PKB was followed by an increase of 2.3% of DHA. Sources of variation that affected BS were G-M interaction, P and PKB. Mean BS in this study was 13.12 kg. Key words : Prolific sheep, lamb production