This study was carried out to determine the presence of polymorphisms in genes affecting litter size. The SNPs in bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 1B (BMPR1B), bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15), and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) genes were detected in 60 uniparous and 60 multiparous ewes from Ramlıç and Dağlıç breeds. The ewes are maintained in nine public herds at the breeding station of the Afyonkarahisar Sheep and Goats Breeders' Association and lambed in two consecutive breeding seasons. PCR and DNA sequencing analyses were conducted, and 36, 4, and 11 SNPs in Ramlıç and 40, 3, and 11 SNPs in Dağlıç were detected in BMPR1B, BMP15, and GDF9 genes, respectively. A total of 16 SNPs in Ramlıç and 10 SNPs in Dağlıç breeds for three genes were found to be significant (P<0.05). The resulting analyses showed that four SNPs (g.49496G>A, c.1658A>C, c.2037C>T, c.2053C>T) of the BMPR1B gene and one deletion mutation (c.28_30delCTT) in the BMP15 gene of the Ramlıç breed as well as five SNPs (c.1487C>A, c.2492C>T, c.2523G>A, c.2880A>G, and c.2763G>A) of the BMPR1B gene of the Dağlıç breed have significant positive regression coefficients in the desired direction of the rare allele. The observed mutations have potential to be used as genetic markers in the selection of prolific animals for both breeds.

The aim of the study was to evaluate live weights, body measurements, and real-time ultrasound carcass traits of F1 and BC1 genotypes in a marker assisted introgression (MAI) process. Effects of some factors on live weight and body measurements including ultrasonographic assessments in Musculus longissimus dorsi (MLD) were investigated at the F1 (n=51) and BC1 (n=99) cross lambs born in 2015 – 2017 period. Variance analysis showed that genotype had significant (P < 0.001) effect on pre- and post-weaning growth characteristics. The birth type had significant (P < 0.05) effect on pre- and post-weaning growth traits. Live weights at twelve months of age were higher in heavier born lambs. The growth performance of F1 lambs was between Texel and Ramlıç. Myostatin heterozygous BC1 lambs had been potentially heavier than the non-carriers and pure Texel. MLD depth and area were also statistically higher (P < 0.05) in BC1 lambs carrying myostatin than non - carriers. As a result, the beginning phase of introgression processes implemented was found to be successful

The goal of this study was to estimate (co) variance components and genetic parameters for pre- and post-weaning growth traits in Dağlıç sheep, considering the direct additive genetic, maternal genetic, and maternal permanent environmental effects, with different statistical models. The information of 21,735 native Dağlıç lambs born between 2011 and 2021 was used to estimate (co) variance components by the Average Information-Restricted Maximum Likelihood algorithm. The results showed that the most suitable model was Model 3 for birth weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and weaning weight (WW). Model 4 was the most appropriate for weight at three (W3), weight at six (W6), and weight at twelve months of age (W12). The direct heritabilities for BW, W3, ADG, WW, W6, and W12 were 0.35 ± 0.02, 0.36 ± 0.03, 0.27 ± 0.02, 0.22 ± 0.02, 0.47 ± 0.05, and 0.47 ± 0.05, respectively. Genetic and phenotypic correlations amongst the traits were in the range of 0.103 ± 0.008 to 0.995 ± 0.002. These results can be used for the improvement of growth traits in the Dağlıç breed of sheep through selection.

This study investigated the effects of environmental factors on gestation length and neonatal survival indicators in Thoroughbred horses. Data used in the study were obtained from 201 mares and their foals raised at the Adana Seyhan Covering Station, İzmit Covering Station, and Karacabey Boarding Stud Farm of the Turkish Jockey Club. The traits including gestation length, parturition duration, birth weight, time to first standing, and time to first suckling were analyzed. The least square means were determined as follows: 336.71±1.56 days for gestation length, 11.57±0.82 min for parturition duration, 49.42±0.67 kg for birth weight, 62.80±3.06 min for time to first standing, and 77.64±3.90 min for time to first suckling. Gestation length was significantly affected by foal sex (P