Abstract

Prolactin is a highly versatile pituitary hormone with multiple biological functions. PRL expression is regulated by POU1F1 and the prophet of POU1F1 (PROP1). The aim of this study was to investigate the indel variations in ovine PRL and the directly related (PROP1 and POU1F1) genes, and their associations with growth traits in Luxi Blackhead (LXBH) sheep. A monomorphism in PROP1 and POU1F1 genes, and one novel 23-bp insertion mutation in the PRL gene, were identified in LXBH sheep. The 23 bp insertion mutation within PRL gene was significantly associated with several body measurements (e.g., body weight, body height) in sheep of different ages (p < 0.05). Ram lambs (p = 0.036) of genotype insertion/insertion (II) had significantly higher body weights. Weaners (p = 0.018) of genotypes insertion/insertion (II) and insertion/deletion (ID) also had significantly higher body weights compared with male sheep of deletion/deletion (DD) genotype. Moreover, among ewe lambs, individuals of genotype insertion/insertion (II) had a higher paunch girth compared to those with other genotypes (p = 0.044). These findings indicate that a 23 bp indel variant of the ovine PRL gene is correlated with body measurements in LXBH sheep. The findings have potential utility for sheep breeding programs based on marker-assisted selection.

摘要

催乳素是一种用途广泛的垂体激素，具有多种生物学功能。PRL的表达通过调控POU1F1和先知POU1F1（PROP1）。本研究的目的是调查绵羊PRL和直接相关（PROP1和POU1F1）基因的indel 变异，以及它们与鲁西黑头 (LXBH) 绵羊生长性状的关联。在 LXBH 绵羊中发现了 PROP1和POU1F1基因的单态性以及PRL基因中的一个新的 23 bp 插入突变。PRL 中的 23 bp 插入突变基因与不同年龄绵羊的几种身体测量值（例如体重、身高）显着相关（p  < 0.05）。 基因型插入/插入 (II) 的公羊羔羊 ( p = 0.036) 具有显着更高的体重。 与缺失/缺失 (DD) 基因型的雄性绵羊相比，基因型插入/插入 (II) 和插入/缺失 (ID) 的断奶仔猪 ( p = 0.018) 的体重也显着更高。此外，在母羊羔羊中，基因型插入/插入 (II) 的个体与其他基因型的个体相比具有更高的腹围 ( p  = 0.044)。这些发现表明绵羊PRL的 23 bp indel 变体基因与 LXBH 绵羊的身体测量值相关。这些发现对基于标记辅助选择的绵羊育种计划具有潜在的实用性。