Polymorphism study of growth differentiation factor 9B (GDF9B) gene and its association with reproductive traits in sheep

► GDF9B gene in sheep under study was observed to be polymorphic. ► Three different alleles identified by SSCP were confirmed by nucleotide sequencing. ► Two new mutations resulted in replacement of asparagine and methionine amino acids. ► The identified mutation seems to pronounce significant effect on litter size. ► The mutations observed herein lie in the reported “mutational hotspot” of the gene.