Molecular polymorphism in exon 2 of ovar-DRB1 gene in native Turkish sheep breeds

The Ovar-DRB1 gene locus is one of the most polymorphic genes in the Ovis aries Major Histocompatibility Complex (Ovar-MHC) and plays a functional role in antigen presentation. Many studies have shown that the OLA (ovine lymphocyte antigen) DRB1 gene is associated with some sheep diseases. In this study, the native sheep breeds reared in different regions in Turkey, 32 Pırlak, 18 Akkaraman, 28 Morkaraman, 32 Karayaka, 29 Kıvırcık and 29 Sakız sheep breeds, totally 168 blood samples were used. In this study, molecular polymorphism of Ovar-DRB1 exon 2 gene region, effective in resistance against diseases and generate immune response, was tried to be determined. Given the large number of alleles and high levels of heterozygosity found in the study, the Ovar-DRB1 locus has proven to contain significant genetic variation. In sheep farming, similar studies have to be done in order to reduce the economic losses in the scope of the fight against diseases.