Abstract
Enhancing prolificacy in the commercial flocks of sheep was formerly limited to breeding programs and selection strategies. However, recent advances in animal genetics have unlocked the prospects of utilising genomic alterations in major gene(s) associated with ovulation rate and litter size. The famous Booroola gene (FecB), initially identified in the Australian Merino sheep was primarily responsible for high fecundity and litter size. It also regulates other features like endocrinology, fatal and postnatal growth(1-3).
Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) also controls growth, development and metabolism in mammals. IGFBP3 binds the majority of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) in circulation for regulation of its actions on growth and metabolism. This review mainly aims at exploring possibilities of exploiting both FecB and IGFBP3 genes as potential markers in various varieties of sheep and signifying their association with productive and reproductive traits (3,4).