Abstract:Currently,the application of big data and omics databases has become crucial for enhancing sheep reproductive performance in industry development.The Growth Differentiation Factor 9(GDF9) gene plays a vital role in follicular development,ovulation rate,and lambing number,serving as one of the major genes determining sheep prolificacy.Although some key mutation sites are associated with lambing numbers,identifying all potential genetic variations of GDF9 in sheep remains unresolved.In recent years,Prof.Jiang Yu’s team at Northwest A&F University developed the Agricultural Animal Omics Database(AAOD),which integrates global public data and high-depth genomic information from Chinese indigenous sheep breeds.This database contains genetic variants(SNPs and InDels),epigenetic markers,and phenotype association data across over 50 breeds,with monthly updates.Based on AAOD,this study aimed to mine GDF9 gene variants in sheep and systematically investigate its molecular structure,expression patterns,enrichment analysis,and novel fertility-related mutations.These findings will identify novel potential functional sites of GDF9 in sheep reproduction,providing new targets for gene editing technologies and establishing a theoretical foundation for genetic improvement strategies to enhance sheep reproductive efficiency.
