Effect of polymorphism in the leukemia inhibitory factor gene on litter size in Large White pigs

Lin, Haichao; Liu, G. F.; Wang, A. G.; Kong, Lujun; Wang, X. F.; Fu, Jinlian

doi:10.1007/s11033-008-9387-0

Cited by 21 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Litter size results from a sequence of events starting with ovulation rate, fertilization rate, embryo survival and uterine capacity (Lin et al., ). Significant limits to litter size have occurred as a result of embryo losses before and during embryo implantation (Fu et al., ; Geisert & Schmitt, ; Lin et al., ; Wu, Wang, Li, Fu, & Zhao, ). Understanding the factors associated with embryo losses during implantation will be required to make advancements in litter size and would be aided with additional information on the genes and proteins involved in regulating embryo attachment and survival (Fu, Fu, & Wang, ; Ren, Guan, Fu, & Wang, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differential gene expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP with high or low number of embryos in pigs during implantation

Knox

et al. 2018

Reprod Domestic Animals

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The objective of this study was to ascertain whether mRNA and protein expressions of implantation-related genes (erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular receptor-ligand A1, Eph-ephrin A1 and leptin receptor-leptin, LEPR-LEP) differed between pigs with high and low number of embryos, and whether these differences in gene expression might affect embryo implantation. Experimental pig groups (n = 24) for high and low number of embryos were prepared by altering the number of eggs ovulated in pre-pubertal gilts treated with 1.5 × (High) or 1.0 × (Low) PG600 ([400 IU PMSG + 200 IU hCG]/dose, AKZO-NOBEL). Gilts expressing oestrus were artificially inseminated twice and maintained in breeding and gestation until the reproductive tract was collected on day 22 of pregnancy. At slaughter, the reproductive tracts from each pregnant gilt from each treatment were immediately processed to collect samples for RNA and protein analysis. Within each gilt, three conceptus points were sampled, one from each horn and then a random conceptus within the tract. At each conceptus point, endometrial attachment site, chorion-allantois and embryo were collected and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen. Number of corpus luteum (CL) (35.4 vs. 12.6) and total embryo number (18.8 vs. 10.2) were greater in the high-embryo compared to the low-embryo group, respectively (p < .05). Real-time qPCR results showed that Eph-ephrin A1 mRNA expression was less in the high-embryo (p < .05) compared to the low-embryo group. In addition, Western blotting analysis indicated that Eph-ephrin A1 and LEP protein expression at endometrial attachment site in high-embryo was less (p < .05) compared to low-embryo group. It was also noted that mRNA expression of Eph-ephrin A1 and LEPR-LEP was greater in pregnant than non-pregnant gilts (p < .05). Moreover, mRNA expression of Eph-ephrin A1 (p < .05) and LEPR-LEP was greatest at endometrial attachment site among all three tissues. There was a positive correlation between expressions of Eph-ephrin A1, LEPR-LEP and embryo length with the correlation coefficient 0.31-0.59. For Eph-ephrin A1, the highest correlation coefficient appeared between Eph A1 expression and normal embryo number, between ephrin A1 expression and embryo length. For LEPR-LEP, the highest correlation coefficient appeared between LEPR-LEP expression and ovary weight (0.79 for both, p < .05), followed by embryo length and weight. The results of this study suggest that low expression of Eph-ephrin A1 and LEPR-LEP is somehow related to increased embryo number during implantation and that endometrial attachment site might be the main target tissue of these gene products. Yet, the increased expression of Eph-ephrin A1 and LEPR-LEP appeared associated with increased embryo growth (length and weight) and ovary weight, Eph-ephrin A1 and LEPR-LEP might play roles in the regulation of embryo implantation in pigs.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differential gene expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP with high or low number of embryos in pigs during implantation

Knox

et al. 2018

Reprod Domestic Animals

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“…In contrast, no association of IL-4R variants with the recurrent abortion has been reported in Iranian women [52]. Furthermore, the polymorphisms of the IL-4R gene are associated with LIF mRNAs and protein expression levels [48] and variations of LIF gene are association with the recurrent abortions in women [47] and litter size traits in sows [10]. This evidence suggests that the IL-4R gene may be implicated in litter size traits in pigs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…The decreased VEGF and IL-4 expression levels are associated with recurrent spontaneous miscarriage or recurrent abortion in women [49], and the decreased LIF and IL-4 cytokines of decidual T cells are associated with unexplained recurrent abortions [47]. Moreover, the polymorphisms of LIF and VEGF genes are associated with litter size traits in pigs [10,14]. This evidence suggested that the IL-4 gene may contribute to embryonic implantation and be related to litter size traits in pigs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…Communication between the conceptus and the endometrium is mediated by cytokines and cell surface receptors [6], and it is essential for embryo implantation, placental development, and the effective maintenance of pregnancy [7,8]. Several cytokine genes involved in embryo attachment and implantation that affect the relevant litter size traits have also been identified in pigs, e.g., erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular A4 (EphA4) [5], ring finger protein 4 gene (RNF4) [9], leukemia inhibitory factory (LIF) [10], interleukin-6 (IL-6) [11], and osteopontin (OPN) [12]. Currently, numerous studies demonstrate that interleukin-4 (IL-4) and its receptor (IL-4 receptor, IL-4R) play an important role in embryo implantation and pregnancy in pigs [13,14] and humans [15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Association of IL-4 and IL-4R Polymorphisms with Litter Size Traits in Pigs

Norseeda

Liu

Teltathum³

et al. 2021

Animals

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The interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-4 receptor (IL-4R) are cytokines that are involved in the immune and reproductive systems. This study aimed to verify the polymorphisms in the porcine IL-4 and IL-4R genes and to assess their effects on litter size traits in commercial pigs. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the porcine IL-4 and IL-4R genes were genotyped by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. A non-coding SNP of IL-4 g.134993898T > C and a non-synonymous SNP of IL-4R c.1577A > T (amino acid change at position 526, Q526L) were found to be segregating in Landrace sows. The IL-4 g.134993898T > C polymorphism was significantly associated with the number of piglets weaned alive (NWA) trait. The IL-4R c.1577A > T polymorphism was significantly associated with the number born alive (NBA) and NWA traits. Moreover, the accumulation of favorable alleles of these two SNP markers revealed significant associations with the NBA, NWA, and mean weight of piglets at weaning (MWW) traits. These findings indicate that the porcine IL-4 and IL-4R genes may contribute to the reproductive traits of pigs and could be used as candidate genes to improve litter size traits in the pig breeding industry.

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“…Also leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-11 (IL-11), and its receptor (IL-11Ra) have unquestionable roles in the implantation process [105][106][107]. Studies in pig have reported an association between certain polymorphisms in LIF gene with the number of piglets [108][109][110][111].…”

Section: Cytokinesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Major Components in Limiting Litter Size

Argente¹

2016

Insights From Animal Reproduction

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The litter size is an important trait in prolific species such as rabbits and pigs. However, selection on litter size has had limited success in these species because of its low heritability and sex-limited expression. The litter size is a complex physiological trait in prolific species, affected by several components that are expressed sequentially, for example, ovulation, fertilization, embryo development, and fetal survival. The selection for ovulation rate or/and prenatal survival has been proposed to improve litter size indirectly. However, these alternative methods have not reached the expected response rate. Implantation is also a critical point in successful gestation, one-third to one-half of prenatal mortality occurring during peri-implantation. The uterus must provide an adequate microenviroment for the growth and development of embryo and for receptivity to implantation. There are multitudes of cellular events involved in crosstalk between embryo and maternal uterus during peri-implantation. A better understanding of molecular mechanisms affecting the implantation process could help to propose new strategies for litter size improvement in prolific species.

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Effect of polymorphism in the leukemia inhibitory factor gene on litter size in Large White pigs

Cited by 21 publications

References 13 publications

Differential gene expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP with high or low number of embryos in pigs during implantation

Differential gene expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP with high or low number of embryos in pigs during implantation

Association of IL-4 and IL-4R Polymorphisms with Litter Size Traits in Pigs

Major Components in Limiting Litter Size

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