Validation of the use of polymorphism in the ovine β3-adrenergic receptor gene as a gene marker for cold survival in New Zealand Romney sheep (Ovis aries L.) : a dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Agricultural Science with Honours, Lincoln University, New Zealand

Abstract

Lamb deaths related to cold weather result in large losses to the New Zealand sheep industry. To address this issue, scientists at Lincoln University have developed a gene-marker test for cold tolerance, based on variation in the β3-adrenergic receptor (AR) gene. This has become commercially available as a selection tool for New Zealand sheep breeders.

The results presented in this dissertation validate the use of variation in the β3-AR gene as a gene-marker for cold survival in New Zealand Romney sheep. Moreover, the use of the Lincoln University Cold Tolerance Gene-marker Test should not impact negatively on either birth-weight or growth rate in New Zealand Romney sheep.