Molecular characterization, expression profiles of the ovine FSHR gene and its association with litter size.

Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) is a glycoprotein family member of G proteins coupled receptor super-family, and plays important roles in animal follicular development. In this study, we cloned the 5' flanking region of ovine FSHR gene and analyzed its genomic structure. One special domain named the LRRNT (Leucine rich repeat N-terminal domain) was found in the prediction amino acid sequence of ovine FSHR. RT-qPCR showed that ovine FSHR was expressed widely in detected tissues and was significantly higher in sexual gland (testicle and ovary) than in other tissues (heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, rumen, duodenum, muscle, fat, hypothalamus and pituitary) (P < 0.05). In addition, synonymous mutation g.-47C > T of the FSHR gene was detected and confirmed to be significantly associated with the litter size (P < 0.01), the genotype of CC had 0.42 (P < 0.01) and 0.53 (P < 0.01) lambs more than TC and TT genotype, respectively. Our results indicated the association of ovine FSHR with the litter size in sheep and FSHR could be used as a candidate gene for improving reproductive traits in industrial sheep breeding.