Genetic markers for the Booroola fecundity (Fec) gene in sheep

Proteomic analysis of sheep uterus reveals its role in prolificacy

Small Tail Han sheep have attracted attention for their high fecundity and year-round estrus. However, the molecular mechanisms of this fecundity are unknown. Polymorphism of the FecB gene has been shown to be associated with the ovulation rate and litter size in sheep. In this study, we used tandem mass tag quantitative proteomic techniques to identify the differentially abundant proteins in polytocous and monotocous Small Tail Han sheep (FecB++) uterine tissues in the follicular and luteal phases. In total, 41 and 43 differentially abundant proteins were identified in the follicular and luteal phases, respectively. Correlation analysis between the transcriptome and proteome revealed a positive correlation at the two omics levels of prolificacy. GO and KEGG pathway analyses indicated that the mRNAs and proteins upregulated in the polytocous group relative to the monotocous group are involved in sphingolipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism, and may be important in maintaining uterine functions and increasing the embryo survival rate during the estrus cycle of polytocous sheep. In conclusion, our work provides a prospective understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying the high prolificacy of Small Tail Han sheep. SIGNIFICANCE: Fecundity critically affects the profitability of sheep production, but the genetic mechanism of high-prolificacy is still unclear in sheep. We identified potential signaling pathways and differentially abundant proteins associated with reproductive performance through a combination of sheep uterus tissues proteome and transcriptome analyses. These findings will facilitate a better revealing the mechanism and provide possible targets for molecular design breeding for the formation of polytocous traits in sheep.

Ovarian proteomic study reveals the possible molecular mechanism for hyperprolificacy of Small Tail Han sheep

Small Tail Han sheep is a widely bred farm animal in China which has attracted lots of attention due to their high prolificacy and year-round estrus. However, the molecular mechanism of its fecundity remains unrevealed. The FecB gene polymorphism has been found to be associated with the ovulation rate and litter size of sheep. In the present study, we constructed an iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomics analysis to compare the ovarian proteomes of FecB+FecB+ genotype Small Tail Han sheep ewes (Han ++), FecB^BFecB^B Han ewes (Han BB) and Dorset ewes (Dorset). Hundreds of differentially expressed proteins between each two groups were identified; GO and KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the expressions of those proteins involved in ribosome assembly, protein translation and mTOR pathway between Dorset and both Han groups were highly different. Between Han ++ and Han BB groups, higher level of protein expressions were related to mitochondrial oxidation functions such as oxidoreductase activity, cytochrome-c oxidase activity and electron carrier activity. This was identified in Han BB group, which may contribute to the elevated ovulation rate of Han BB ewes. In conclusion, our work provided a prospective understanding of the molecular mechanism for high prolificacy of Small Tail Han sheep.

Mutation in bone morphogenetic protein receptor-IB is associated with increased ovulation rate in Booroola Mérino ewes

Ewes from the Booroola strain of Australian Mérino sheep are characterized by high ovulation rate and litter size. This phenotype is due to the action of the FecB(B) allele of a major gene named FecB, as determined by statistical analysis of phenotypic data. By genetic analysis of 31 informative half-sib families from heterozygous sires, we showed that the FecB locus is situated in the region of ovine chromosome 6 corresponding to the human chromosome 4q22-23 that contains the bone morphogenetic protein receptor IB (BMPR-IB) gene encoding a member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) receptor family. A nonconservative substitution (Q249R) in the BMPR-IB coding sequence was found to be associated fully with the hyperprolificacy phenotype of Booroola ewes. In vitro, ovarian granulosa cells from FecB(B)/FecB(B) ewes were less responsive than granulosa cells from FecB(+)/FecB(+) ewes to the inhibitory effect on steroidogenesis of GDF-5 and BMP-4, natural ligands of BMPR-IB. It is suggested that in FecB(B)/FecB(B) ewes, BMPR-IB would be inactivated partially, leading to an advanced differentiation of granulosa cells and an advanced maturation of ovulatory follicles.

Mapping genes that control hormone-induced ovulation rate in mice

The present study mapped quantitative trait loci (QTL) that control 6-fold genetic differences in hormone-induced ovulation rate (HIOR) between C57BL/6J (B6) (HIOR = 54) and A/J strain mice (HIOR = 9). (The gene name is Ovulation Rate Induced [ORI] QTL and the gene symbol is Oriq.) QTL linkage analysis was conducted on 167 (B6xA)xA backcross mice at 165 loci. Suggestive B6 ORI QTL that control the number of eggs in cumulus mapped, as follows, near: Cyp19 and D9Mit4 on chromosome (Chr) 9 (Oriq1); D2Mit433 on Chr2 (Oriq2); D6Mit316 on Chr6 (Oriq3); DXMit22 on ChrX (Oriq4) and were associated with a 2.7, 2.7, 2.6, and 4.2 egg increases in HIOR, respectively. Oriq3 was significant (LOD = 3.45) based on composite interval mapping. QTL linkage analysis of the number of eggs matured by endogenous gonadotropins and ovulated by eCG mapped a significant Oriq5 to Chr 10 and suggestive Oriq to Chr 6, 7, and X. These data provide the first molecular genetic markers for reproductive QTL that control major differences in ovarian responsiveness to gonadotropins. These and closely linked syntenic molecular markers will enable a more accurate prediction of ovarian responsiveness to gonadotropins and provide selection criteria for improving reproductive performance in diverse mammalian species.