GH gene polymorphisms and expression associated with egg laying in muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata). Issue 1 (13th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, X.; Yan, M. J.; Lian, S. Y.; Liu, X. T.; Li, A.
• Is Part Of: Hereditas. Volume 151:Issue 1(2014:Feb.)
• Page Start: 14
• Page End: 19
• Publication Date: 2014-03-13
• Subjects: Heredity -- Periodicals; Genetics -- Periodicals; Cytogénétique; Génétique; Hérédité; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 576.5
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-5223.2013.00016.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0018-0661

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Accumulated evidence suggests that the growth hormone (<italic>GH</italic>) gene plays a physiological role in the control of reproductive function. Here, we examined the correlation between egg‐laying traits and <italic>GH</italic> gene polymorphisms and expression patterns in the muscovy duck (<italic>Cairina moschata</italic>). PCR single‐strand conformation polymorphism was used to identify polymorphisms in intron 3 of <italic>GH</italic>. One single nucleotide polymorphism (g.3270 A > G) was detected by sequencing, and the frequencies of the A and G alleles in the population were 0.65 and 0.35, respectively. A comparison test showed that the AA genotype group had more consecutive laying days and more eggs at 300 days than the GG genotype group (P < 0.05); however, there was no significant difference for the age at first laying (P > 0.05). Such a significant correlation between <italic>GH</italic> polymorphisms and egg‐laying performance suggested that <italic>GH</italic> could be a candidate locus affecting the laying trait in muscovy duck. Furthermore, real‐time fluorescent quantitative PCR demonstrated that <italic>GH</italic> is expressed in all selected tissues, but is highly expressed in the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis and heart. This unique expression pattern suggested that <italic>GH</italic> may exert its local physiological function through the autocrine or paracrine pathway during gonad development and growth in the muscovy duck. The data presented in this paper revealed <italic>GH</italic> polymorphisms and expression patterns in the muscovy duck and indicated a potential regulatory effect of GH on reproduction.</p> </abstract>