point mutation in growth differentiation factor 9 gene affects litter size in Sudanese desert sheep.

Background And Aim: Sudanese desert sheep encompass different sheep breeds named according to the different Sudanese tribes that rear them such as the Dubasi, Shugor, and Watish sheep. The objectives of this study were to screen for point mutation in the polymorphic growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) gene, investigate its association with litter size, and construct the phylogeny of the different tribal breeds that belong to the Sudanese Desert sheep tribal types.

Materials And Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood of three tribal Desert sheep breeds (Dubasi, Watish, and Shugor) using the guanidine chloride method.