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Molecular characterization, expression profiles of the ovine FSHR gene and its association with litter size

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An Erratum to this article was published on 30 September 2014

Abstract

Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) is a glycoprotein family member of G proteins coupled receptor super-family, and plays important roles in animal follicular development. In this study, we cloned the 5′ flanking region of ovine FSHR gene and analyzed its genomic structure. One special domain named the LRRNT (Leucine rich repeat N-terminal domain) was found in the prediction amino acid sequence of ovine FSHR. RT-qPCR showed that ovine FSHR was expressed widely in detected tissues and was significantly higher in sexual gland (testicle and ovary) than in other tissues (heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, rumen, duodenum, muscle, fat, hypothalamus and pituitary) (P < 0.05). In addition, synonymous mutation g.−47C > T of the FSHR gene was detected and confirmed to be significantly associated with the litter size (P < 0.01), the genotype of CC had 0.42 (P < 0.01) and 0.53 (P < 0.01) lambs more than TC and TT genotype, respectively. Our results indicated the association of ovine FSHR with the litter size in sheep and FSHR could be used as a candidate gene for improving reproductive traits in industrial sheep breeding.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the earmarked fund for China Agriculture Research System (CARS-39), Major science and technology programs in Gansu Province (1102NKDH023) and 12th five-year state science and technology plan (2011BAD28B05). We thank Dr. Han Xuelei (Henan Agriculture University, China) for some useful suggestions. Appreciation also goes to Dr. Shen He (Roswell Park Cancer Institute, USA) for this work to help us improve English.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou, 730000, People’s Republic of China

    Xiangyu Pan, Shijia Liu, Fadi Li, Weimin Wang, Chong Li & Youji Ma

  2. Engineering Laboratory of Sheep Breeding and Reproduction Biotechnology in Gansu Province, Minqin, 733300, People’s Republic of China

    Fadi Li, Weimin Wang, Chong Li & Youji Ma

  3. Minqin Zhongtian Sheep Industry Co. Ltd, Minqin, 733300, People’s Republic of China

    Tingfu Li

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  1. Xiangyu Pan
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  2. Shijia Liu
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  3. Fadi Li
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  4. Weimin Wang
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  5. Chong Li
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  7. Tingfu Li
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Correspondence to Weimin Wang.

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Pan, X., Liu, S., Li, F. et al. Molecular characterization, expression profiles of the ovine FSHR gene and its association with litter size. Mol Biol Rep 41, 7749–7754 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-014-3666-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-014-3666-8

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