Effect of the Booroola fecundity (FecB) gene on the reproductive performance of ewes under assisted reproduction

Qi, Mei-Yu; Xu, Liqiang; Zhang, Jianan; Li, Meng-Ou; Lu, Ming-Hai; Yao, Yuchang

doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.10.038

Cited by 20 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…The expression of CYP17A1 and CYP19A1, markers of preovulatory follicles, also appeared at 45 h after CIDR removal when we collected the sample. (16,29,30). Genetic analysis of the FecB gene in this study showed that the three FecB genotypes are still not fixed in this STH sheep population collected from a population set aside for conservation.…”

Section: Gene Expression In Granulosa Cellsmentioning

confidence: 69%

Effects of FecB Mutation on Estrus, Ovulation, and Endocrine Characteristics in Small Tail Han Sheep

Wang

Guo

et al. 2021

Front. Vet. Sci.

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The Booroola fecundity gene (FecB) has a mutation that was found to increase the ovulation rate and litter size in Booroola Merino sheep. This mutation is also associated with the fecundity of small-tail han (STH) sheep, an important maternal breed used to produce hybrid offspring for mutton production in China. Previous research showed that the FecB gene affects reproduction in STH sheep, based on litter size records. However, the effects of this gene on estrus, ovulation, and endocrine characteristics in these sheep remain unclear. Here, we analyzed the traits mentioned earlier and compared them among the three FecB genotypes of STH ewes using estrus synchronization. Overall, 53 pluriparous ewes were selected from among 890 STH ewes and subjected to FecB genotyping for experiments to characterize estrous and ovulation rates. FecB heterozygous (+B) ewes presented an earlier onset of estrus (42.9 ± 2.2 h) and a shorter estrous cycle (17.2 ± 0.2 days) (P ≤ 0.05). The ovulation rates increased with the increasing copy number of the B allele (P ≤ 0.01). Ovulation time showed no significant differences among the three FecB genotypes. The serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone, estrogen (E2), and progesterone (P4) were measured in 19 of the ewes. Serum concentrations of E2 and FSH dramatically varied around the time of behavioral estrus. In FecB mutant homozygous (BB) ewes, E2 concentration had two peaks, which were higher (P ≤ 0.05) than those of ++ genotypes. FSH concentration of BB ewes was higher (P ≤ 0.05) than that of the ++ ewes just after estrus. The expression of the estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) gene in the +B genotype was higher than in the other genotypes. Based on the data for the reproductive performance of STH ewes with the three FecB genotypes, our study suggests that the development of follicles in ewes with the B allele is dependent on the response to FSH regulated by E2 in the early stage. +B ewes, exhibiting moderate ovulation and litter size and a shorter estrous cycle, can be highly recommended in sheep crossbreeding systems for commercial mutton production. Moreover, this study provides useful information to conserve better and use the genetic resources of STH sheep in China.

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Section: Gene Expression In Granulosa Cellsmentioning

confidence: 69%

Effects of FecB Mutation on Estrus, Ovulation, and Endocrine Characteristics in Small Tail Han Sheep

Wang

Guo

et al. 2021

Front. Vet. Sci.

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“…data, 2021). In FecB B carrier ewes from the short-tailed Han breed, lambing rate after AI was also improved (Qi et al 2020). In FecX R carrier Rasa Aragonesa sheep, responsiveness to eCG was increased, as was the recovery of oocytes competent for in vitro development and the rate of embryo survival after transfer (Lahoz et al 2011(Lahoz et al , 2013.…”

Section: Use Of Major Genes To Improve Reproductive Efficiencymentioning

confidence: 99%

The ovarian follicle of ruminants: the path from conceptus to adult

Juengel

Cushman²,

Dupont

et al. 2021

Reprod. Fertil. Dev.

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This review resulted from an international workshop and presents a consensus view of critical advances over the past decade in our understanding of follicle function in ruminants. The major concepts covered include: (1) the value of major genes; (2) the dynamics of fetal ovarian development and its sensitivity to nutritional and environmental influences;(3) the concept of an ovarian follicle reserve, aligned with the rise of anti-Müllerian hormone as a controller of ovarian processes; (4) renewed recognition of the diverse and important roles of theca cells; (5) the importance of follicular fluid as a microenvironment that determines oocyte quality; (6) the 'adipokinome' as a key concept linking metabolic inputs with follicle development; and (7) the contribution of follicle development to the success of conception. These concepts are important because, in sheep and cattle, ovulation rate is tightly regulated and, as the primary determinant of litter size, it is a major component of reproductive efficiency and therefore productivity. Nowadays, reproductive efficiency is also a target for improving the 'methane efficiency' of livestock enterprises, increasing the need to understand the processes of ovarian development and folliculogenesis, while avoiding detrimental trade-offs as greater performance is sought.

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“…The mutation at this site can weaken the function of ligands involved in BMP signal transduction, inhibiting the proliferation but promoting the differentiation of granulosa cells, which leads to the accelerated maturation and ovulation of some oocytes ( Fabre et al, 2006 ; Kumar et al, 2020 ). The effect of the FecB gene is additive for ovulation rate and partially dominant for litter size ( Qi et al, 2020 ), including in small-tailed Han sheep ( Chu et al, 2007 ). The ovulation rate and litter size of FecB mutant homozygotes were found to be significantly greater than those of FecB wild type ( Chu et al, 2011 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Differentially Expressed Genes and Long Non-coding RNAs Associated With Fecundity in Sheep Hypothalamus With Different FecB Genotypes

Chen

Guo

et al. 2021

Front. Cell Dev. Biol.

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Small-tailed Han sheep, with different FecB genotypes, manifest distinct ovulation rates and fecundities, which are due to differences in reproductive hormones secreted by the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis. Nevertheless, the function of the hypothalamus against a FecB mutant background on increasing ovulation rate is rarely reported. Therefore, we determined the expression profiles of hypothalamus tissue collected from six wild-type (WW) and six FecB mutant homozygous (BB) ewes at the follicular and luteal phases by whole-transcriptome sequencing. We identified 53 differentially expressed mRNAs (DEGs) and 40 differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (DELs) between the two estrus states. Functional annotation analysis revealed that one of the DEGs, PRL, was particularly enriched in the hypothalamic function, hormone-related, and reproductive pathways. The lncRNA–target gene interaction networks and KEGG analysis in combination suggest that the lncRNAs LINC-676 and WNT3-AS cis-acting on DRD2 and WNT9B in different phases may induce gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion. Furthermore, there were differences of regulatory elements and WNT gene family members involved in the follicular–luteal transition in the reproductive process between wild-type (WNT7A) and FecB mutant sheep (WNT9B). We combined the DEG and DEL data sets screened from different estrus states and genotypes. The overlap of these two sets was identified to select the mRNAs and lncRNAs that have major effects on ovulation. Among the overlapping molecules, seven DEGs and four DELs were involved in the follicular–luteal transition regulated by FecB mutation. Functional annotation analysis showed that two DEGs (FKBP5 and KITLG) were enriched in melanogenesis, oxytocin, and GnRH secretion. LINC-219386 and IGF2-AS were highly expressed in the BB ewes compared with WW ewes, modulating their target genes (DMXL2 and IGF2) to produce more GnRH during follicular development, which explains why mutated ewes produced more mature follicles. These results from expression profiling of the hypothalamus with the FecB mutation at different estrus states provide new insights into how the hypothalamus regulates ovulation under the effect of the FecB mutation.

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Effect of the Booroola fecundity (FecB) gene on the reproductive performance of ewes under assisted reproduction

Cited by 20 publications

References 37 publications

Effects of FecB Mutation on Estrus, Ovulation, and Endocrine Characteristics in Small Tail Han Sheep

Effects of FecB Mutation on Estrus, Ovulation, and Endocrine Characteristics in Small Tail Han Sheep

The ovarian follicle of ruminants: the path from conceptus to adult

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Differentially Expressed Genes and Long Non-coding RNAs Associated With Fecundity in Sheep Hypothalamus With Different FecB Genotypes

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