This study was carried out to investigate the polymorphisms of bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) exon 2 in purebred Kermani and crossbred Romanov × Kermani sheep and functional analysis of the underlying mutations. A number of 50 purebred Kermani and 115 F1 Romanov (ram) × Kermani (ewe) crossbred sheep were sampled and a 153 bp fragment from exon 2 of the ovine BMP15 gene was successfully amplified from the genomic DNA of each animal using designed primers. The polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) technique was used to investigate the polymorphism of BMP15 gene (exon 2(. Twenty samples of different SSCP patterns were randomly selected for DNA sequencing and detecting the BMP15 mutations and subsequent functional analyses. The polymorphic fragments amplified by designed primers were sequenced. There were eight SSCP patterns (AA, AB, BB, AC, AD, AE, AF and AG) with frequencies of 0.24, 0.17, 0.24, 0.08, 0.05, 0.10, 0.03 and 0.09, respectively. The frequency of A allele was obviously higher than those of other alleles. The sequencing results revealed two single nucleotide mutations; the first mutation at position 32bp which did not cause any change in the amino acid sequence but the second mutation led to a change in 40th amino acid (a Lysine amino acid replaced by an Asparagine amino acid). The result of this experiment indicates that the genetic diversity level of BMP15 exon 2 gene was high in the Romanov × Kermani crossbreds indicating that BMP15 exon 2 can played a vital function in the development of ovary and follicles, especially in the improvement of fertility trait and could be used as a potential advantageous molecular marker for reproduction traits in this genetic group. Our finding provides exciting new opportunities for understanding the role of the BMP15 on ovarian follicular growth and development in crossbreed ewes in breeding programs.  However, further investigation using a large population of Romanov × Kermani crossbred sheep is required to confirm the link between the identified mutation and the observed increased prolificacy in this population.

2The understanding of fundamental immune indicators, especially T-lymphocyte parameters, is crucial for research into sheep diseases and vaccines, as well as to reduce antibiotic usage and improve sheep welfare. CD8 (gene encoding beta chain of T-cell surface glycoprotein) is a co-receptor molecule expressed on the surface of Cytotoxic T cells. Due to the role and importance of this gene in the immune system, this gene's expression was examined in different Kermani sheep tissues. Samples were taken from the spleen, liver, and heart of three Kermani lambs with almost the same weight at slaughter. Total RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthesized. Real-Time PCR using Syber Green was applied for estimating gene expression levels. Beta-actin gene was used as an internal control. For analyzing Real-Time PCR data, Prism software, ΔΔCT method was used. The results showed that CD8B was expressed in all three tissues, with more expression in the liver (18.06) and spleen (16.28) and less expression in the heart (1.94). There was a significant difference (P<0.05) between all tissues. Expression in the liver and spleen tissue was significantly higher than in heart tissue (P<0.001). While CD8B expression was higher in immune-related tissues, there were significant differences in all tissues. Thus, by conducting supplementary experiments and understanding its mechanisms, we can find out why animals exhibit different levels of expression and use this variation to enhance animal performance.

Calpastatin (CAST) is a specific inhibitor of the ubiquitous calcium-dependent proteases-m-calpain and m-calpain, found in mammalian tissues. The level of components included into the calpain-calpastatin system determines the rate of postmortem tenderization of meat. Calpastatin inhibits both the rate and extent of postmortem proteolysis and plays a role in muscle growth and meat quality. Kermani sheep is gene pool reservation in Kerman province and suitable for meat and wool production that until now has not been studied using molecular markers, especially with the view of calpastatin gene. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the genetic diversity of calpastatin gene in Kermani sheep herds and to compare this breed with other sheep breeds that were determined for this trait. The 622 bp fragment of this gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from DNA samples of 100 Kermani sheep. Polymerase chain reaction products were characterized by the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique using two restriction enzymes, MspI, and NcoI, yielding all 3 genotypes, MM, MN and NN. The results of this experiment indicated that this population is highly polymorphic, furthermore in the most studied Iranian sheep breeds, all 3 genotypes of this gene have not been detected whereas we detected all 3 genotypes, and hence researchers must increase attention to meat quality and quantity in breeding programs of this breed. Because, polymorphism in this breed is high and there are all three genotypes in their population, we can simply achieve effect of any genotype in increasing of meat quantity and quality with information recording and genotyping in next studies and select the best genotypes in breeding programs.

Among the types of foods that are consumed to meet the physiological needs of humans, animal protein is more valuable than other nutrients in terms of nutritional value and nutrients. Today, consumers are looking for healthy and quality foods. Therefore, knowledge of the qualitative characteristics of meat is considered to be important. In this study, the quality and durability characteristics of Arabia and Arabia -Romanov meat were studied during 7 days of ageing period under commercial conditions at 4 °C. Samples were taken from the top round section including Semimembranosus muscles. This research was conducted as a randomized complete design. One-way ANOVA and Fisher test were used at 5% statistical level to study the differences between treatments. Finally, the results were analyzed using Minitab version 16 software. The pH value for Arabia meat decreased from 6.33 immediately after slaughter to 5.7 and for the Arabic-Romanian meat, the mean of 6.36 immediately after slaughter, decreased to 6.05 after 168 hours. The mean value of pH indicating that there was no statistically significant difference between treatments. The results showed that there were significant differences between the two treatment in characteristics of texture, sensory and cooking loss (P <0.05). In general, Arabia- Romanov meat has a higher overall acceptance rating and desirable texture characteristics.

In this study, the performance of pure and crossbreed of Lori-bakhtiyari sheep was investigated. Data related to natives were collected during 1989 to 2018 and data related to crossbreed during 2011 to 2019 were collected at Sholi station in Shahrekurd. Conception rate at lambing was 87.5% for crossbreed sheep and 86.56% for Lori-bakhtiyari sheep. Litter Size% obtained 138.22 and 114.6 for crossbreed and Lori-bakhtiyari sheep respectively. Lambing percentage obtained 120.95 and 99 for crossbreed and Lori-bakhtiyari sheep, respectively. Fecundity (produced by a ewe) for crossbreed was 1.38 and 1.15 for Lori-bakhtiyari sheep. The weaning percentage for crossbreed and Lori-bakhtiyari sheep estimated 109.49 and 90.99 respectively. Survival rate estimated 90.5% and 91.7% for crossbreed and Lori-bakhtiyari sheep, respectively. Weaning weight per kg Weight of ewes was calculated 0.593 kg for native lambs and 0.610 kg for crossbreeds, this difference was statistically significant. According to the obtained results, use of genetic production method in Lori-bakhtiyari flock led to an increase in per capita profit of each crossbreed ewes of 4286000 R compared to native ewes in 2019. This amount was calculated for crossbreed ewes after second calving 4886480 R compared to native ewes.

This study was conducted to investigate the polymorphisms of the Prion protein gene (PRNP) exon 3 in Mehraban and Romanov sheep. Blood samples were collected from 124 sheep (85 Mahraban and 39 Romanov). After DNA extraction, polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were performed to amplify a 173 bp fragment of the PRNP gene exon 3 using a specific pair of primers. Polymorphisms of the studied fragments were explored using single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) and DNA sequencing analysis. In both Mehraban and Romanov breeds, three different banding patterns (AA, AG and GG genotypes) along with a single nucleotide polymorphism (g. 625A>G) were identified, that deduced one amino acid substitution (p. 171R>Q). Three haplotypes including ARR/ARR, ARR/ARQ and ARQ/ARQ were identified, which the most frequency (61. 2 and 46. 15% in Mehraban and Romanov breeds, respectively) was related to the ARR/ARR haplotype with high resistance to scrapie disease. The results of current study regarding the similarity of polymorphism in PRNP gene of domestic and foreign breeds could be used in sheep breeding programs.

The aim of this study was to investigate the calpastatin gene expression in different tissues of Kermani sheep using the real-time PCR. Tissue samples from the brain, humeral muscle, femoral muscle, liver, adipose tissue, rumen and testis were taken from 30 Kermani sheep. Total RNA was extracted using RNXTM plus solution. To determine the quantity (concentration) and quality of the extracted RNA, two methods of RNA; electrophoresis on 1% agarose gel and a Nano drop device were used. A Thermoscientific kit (Iran) was used for cDNA synthesis. After performing normal PCR reactions and obtaining the desired binding conditions and temperature for the genes, real-time PCR was performed to study the relative gene expression. The Beta-actin gene was used as a housekeeping gene. The Pfaffl method was used to analyze the data. The quality of the extracted RNAs was good. The presence of two 18S and 28S bands in the rRNA indicated that the RNA was healthy and the absence of an additional band was an indication of its purity. For the calpastatin gene, the 189bp fragment, and for Beta-actin, the 206bp fragment was observed in all tissues. The real-time PCR findings showed that calpastatin gene was expressed in all tissues (brain, humeral muscle, liver, adipose, femoral tissue, rumen and testis) with the highest level of expression in the humeral and femoral muscles and the lowest level in adipose tissues. This study lays a foundation for further calpastatin research in sheep. It is suggested that this study be conducted on a greater number of animals, and different breeds, sexes, ages and physiological stages to reach a more comprehensive conclusion.

Data on 1253 records of Kemani lambs, collected from 1993 to 2004 by the Kermani Sheep Breeding and Rearing Station located in Sharebabak, were used to estimate genetic parameters of birth weight, weaning weight and average daily gain from birth to weaning.Variance and covariance components and genetic parameters were obtained with six different animal models using Restricted Maximum Likelihood procedure.Likelihood ratio tests were conducted to determine the most appropriate model for each trait. Genetic and phenotypic correlations were estimated through multivariate analysis using the most appropriate model obtained from univariate analysis.Comparison of different animal models indicated that maternal additive genetic effects was important for birth weight and maternal permanent environmental effects for weaning weight and average daily gain from birth to weaning.Estimates of direct additive genetic correlations were positive and moderate to high, ranging from 0.39 (between birth weight and average daily gain from birth to weaning) to 1 (between weaning weight and average daily gain from birth to weaning). The corresponding estimates for phenotypic correlations were lower than the genetic correlations.The results of this study indicated that the maternal effects were important sources of variation for the early growth traits of Kermani sheep breed and thus their ignorance will be led to biased estimates of direct additive genetic variance and their corresponding heritabilities.

The present research aims to construct the latent variable of growth in Kermani sheep, and to evaluate the measurement model and genetic evaluation by applying pedigree and data information collected from 1993 to 2013 in the Breeding Station of Kermani sheep, Shahre Babak, Kerman Province. The records of body weights at birth (BWT), weaning (WWT), six months (SIXWT), nine months (NINEWT), and twelve months (YWT) of age were used to construct a growth latent variable. Fitting the measurement model considered for constructing the latent variable of growth was done by applying confirmatory factor analysis and was evaluated by using goodness of fit statistical measures including root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), Tuker-Lewis index (TLI), and confirmatory fit index (CFI). The values of RMSEA, TLI, and CFI were obtained at 0.05, 0.99, and 0.99, respectively, implying the construct adequacy for assessing the latent variable of growth in Kermani sheep. An estimate of 0.34 was obtained for latent variable of growth. Positive estimates of genetic, phenotypic, and environmental correlations between the latent variable of growth and any of the investigated body weight traits were obtained. Furthermore, Spearman's rank correlations between estimated breeding values of the latent variable of growth with any of the investigated body weights were positive and high, implying the selection of superior animals for the latent variable of growth may result in the selection of superior animals for investigated body weights except for BWT.

Introduction1 Kermani sheep is one of the native dual purpose breeds that adapted with Kerman province’ s climate conditions. Body weight traits for sheep meat producers are very important, therefore precise evaluation of genetic factors for these traits have always been concern of breeders. Regarding to importance of meat production in economic benefit of sheep farming, this research was done with goal of genetic parameters estimation for daily gain and Kleiber ratios in Kermani sheep. Materials and Methods This research was done by using pedigree information form 10988 Kermani sheep between 1983 to 2010 that was collected by Kermani sheep breeding station located in Shahr-e-Babak city of Kerman province, for genetic analysis of growth traits. Studied traits were average daily gain from birth to form weaning (ADG1), form weaning to 6 months (ADG2), form 6 months to 9 months (ADG3), form 9 months to 1 yearling (ADG4) and Kleiber ratios corresponding to the respective daily weight gain (KR1, KR2, KR3 and KR4). For data preparation and edition, pedigree analysis and genetic analysis of studied traits Excel, Fox Pro, CFC and Wombat Softwares were used respectively. Test of significance for the fixed effects on studied traits was done by GLM procedure of SAS 9. 2 Software and significant level of p<0. 05 was considered for fitting fixed effects in final model. Combined effect of HYS (23 herds), lamb sex and dam age at lambing was significant for all of studied traits. Genetic analysis of traits was performed of restricted maximum likelihood method by using of Wombat and most appropriate model according to Akaike’ s information criterion was selected. Results and Discussion In this research the records number of growth traits decreased by age due to culling of some of lambs or not registering of records in higher ages. The average daily gain of pre-weaning was calculated 231. 77 gr and this trait for post-weaning periods had down trend that was complied with reported results in similar studies. Average of ADG1 in this research rather than reported amounts by other researches was more that represented high capacity of growth in Kermani lambs. The Average of ADG2, ADG3, ADG4, KR1, KR2, KR3 and KR4 were estimated 109. 98, 40. 78, 38. 06, 19. 86, 13. 13, 7. 63 and 3. 30 gr respectively. The various climate conditions like raining content and environment temperature affects the quality and quantity of forage that resulted in significant changes at available nutrients amount of animal and supply of requirements and consequence of it the daily gain of lambs at different ages. Male lambs in all of traits compare with female lambs were more that showed that effect of sex on Kermani sheep lambs. The average of single lambs was more than twin lambs. The effect of dam age at lambing was significant on all of studied traits. The direct heritability for ADG1, ADG2, ADG3, ADG4, KR1, KR2, KR3 and KR4 were calculated 0. 14, 0. 15, 0. 16, 0. 16, 0. 17, 0. 19, 0. 20 and 0. 23 respectively. Although direct heritability of ADG1 was low, but by increasing of age the amount of direct heritability for traits increased that may be caused to the reducing effect of maternal effect on studied traits with increasing age. The total heritability for ADG1, ADG2, ADG3, ADG4, KR1, KR2, KR3 and KR4 were estimated 0. 19, 0. 20, 0. 19, 0. 16, 0. 21, 0. 19, 0. 23 and 0. 23 respectively. The covariance for ADG3 was estimated negative that shows negative presence of maternal genetic effects in this traits heritability and selection response. The genetic correlations between ADG1-KR1, ADG2-KR2, ADG3-KR3 and ADG4-KR4 were estimated 0. 57, 0. 74, 0. 68 and 0. 54 respectively. The phenotypic correlation between ADG1-KR1, ADG2-KR2, ADG3-KR3 and ADG4-KR4 were 0. 84, 0. 89, 0. 88 and 0. 98 respectively. It seems that selection for Kleiber ratio in each period resulted in increasing daily gain at that period too. Therefore, by selection according to Kleiber ratio, the average of food efficiency will increase. Between environmental correlation of studied traits with direct correlation of them showed that the difference among them was low in most of cases. Thus, regarding to available information it seems that the univariate model was more appropriate in genetic evaluation of studied traits. Conclusion The results of this research showed that selection according to Kleiber ratio in Kermani sheep can increase the efficiency of feed intake. More than this, the Kleiber ratio has this advantage that at calculating, starter and finisher weights of period which estimation of them are simple.