Association of a missense mutation in the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor gene (LHCGR) with superovulation traits in Chinese Holstein heifers

Yong Yu; Yunwei Pang; Haichao Zhao; Xiaoling Xu; Zhonghong Wu; Lei An; Jianhui Tian

doi:10.1186/2049-1891-3-35

Association of a missense mutation in the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor gene (LHCGR) with superovulation traits in Chinese Holstein heifers

J Anim Sci Biotechnol. 2012 Nov 9;3(1):35. doi: 10.1186/2049-1891-3-35.

Authors

Yong Yu^#¹, Yunwei Pang^#¹, Haichao Zhao^#¹, Xiaoling Xu¹, Zhonghong Wu¹, Lei An¹, Jianhui Tian¹

Affiliation

¹ Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, PR China.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

Background: Upon binding luteinizing hormone in the ovary, the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) is necessary for follicular maturation and ovulation, as well as luteal function. We detected mutations in the LHCGR gene and evaluated their association with superovulation.

Methods: Using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and DNA sequencing, we examined polymorphisms in LHCGR and the genotypes associated with superovulation traits in 127 Chinese Holstein heifers.

Results: A G/T polymorphism (ss52050737) in exon 11 was significantly associated with the total number of ova and the number of transferable embryos.

Conclusions: LHCGR may be a new predictor for superovulation in Chinese Holstein heifers.