NUCLEOTIDE SEQUENCES INVOLVED IN INCREASING OR DECREASING MAMMALIAN OVULATION RATE

摘要

The present invention relates to nucleotide sequences which are involved in increasing or decreasing mammalian ovulation rate. In particular, the invention broadly concerns novel mutations in a gene which is involved in increasing the ovulation rate in heterozygous female mammals; these mutations cause sterility in homozygous female mammals. Knowledge of the mutated gene sequence can be applied to a test for identifying heterozygous of homozygous female and male mammals carrying the mutated gene. This knowledge of the biological function of the gene and its mutations can also be utilised to increase or decrease the ovulation rate of female mammals, or to induce sterility or reduced fertility in female mammals.