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Letter

Nature Genetics 25, 279–283 (1 July 2000) | doi:10.1038/77033

Mutations in an oocyte-derived growth factor gene (BMP15) cause increased ovulation rate and infertility in a dosage-sensitive manner

Susan M. Galloway , Kenneth P. McNatty , Lisa M. Cambridge , Mika P.E. Laitinen , Jennifer L. Juengel , T. Sakari Jokiranta , Robert J. McLaren , Kaisu Luiro , Ken G. Dodds , Grant W. Montgomery , Anne E. Beattie , George H. Davis & Olli Ritvos

Multiple ovulations are uncommon in humans, cattle and many breeds of sheep. Pituitary gonadotrophins and as yet unidentified ovarian factors precisely regulate follicular development so that, normally, only one follicle is selected to ovulate. The Inverdale (FecXI) sheep, however, carries a naturally occurring X-linked mutation that causes increased ovulation rate and twin and triplet births in heterozygotes (FecXI/FecX+; ref.