Variation in yolk precursor receptor mRNA expression is a key determinant of reproductive phenotype in the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata).

The vitellogenin/very low density lipoprotein receptor (VTG/VLDL-R), a 95 kDa protein that belongs to the low density lipoprotein receptor gene family, mediates the uptake of yolk precursors by developing follicles during oocyte growth. However, the extent to which variation in VTG/VLDL-R expression plays a role in determining inter-individual variation in reproductive phenotype (e.g. follicle or egg size) is not known. Here we show that the mRNA sequence of the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) VTG/VLDL-R shows a high degree of sequence identity (92%) with chicken VTG/VLDL-R mRNA. Using quantitative real-time PCR we measured transcriptional expression of VTG/VLDL-R mRNA in various tissues, and for different stages of oocyte growth, in individual female zebra finches. VTG/VLDL-R mRNA was expressed at high levels in vitellogenic oocytes and in skeletal muscle, and was also detectable in liver, but these tissues expressed different splice variants: the short-form LR8-in oocytes and liver, and the LR8+ form in skeletal muscle. There was significant temporal variation in VTG/VLDL-R expression during follicle growth, with highest levels in ovary and a gradual decrease from pre-F3 to F1 vitellogenic follicles. Variation in ovary mRNA expression was correlated with inter-individual variation in clutch size and laying interval. Furthermore, variation in F3 follicle VTG/VLDL-R mRNA expression was correlated with inter-individual variation in egg mass and F1 follicle mass, suggesting that VTG/VLDL receptor mRNA expression is a key determinant of inter-individual variation in reproductive phenotype.