Regulation of litter size in sheep (Ovis aries) by the GDF9 and BMP15 genes

The mutation types GDF9 S395F and S427R increase the ovulation rate in heterozygotes, while the homozygous form leads to infertility. This study presents a meta-analysis of GDF9 and BMP15 SNPs related to sheep litter size (LS). The results showed that simulation of the molecular recognition of GDF9 R453H, S395F, and S427R was performed to study the effect on the GDF9 dimer. S395F and S427R dimer binding ability of mutant heterozygotes was improved, thereby improving LS. The binding ability of mutant homozygous dimers was reduced, resulting in infertility. The results of this study will provide important references for animal breeding.