Quantitative expression of mRNA encoding BMP/SMAD signalling genes in the ovaries of Booroola carrier and non‐carrier GMM sheep

Abstract

The GMM sheep is a carrier of Booroola fecundity (FecB) gene, which produces the twins and triplets in one lambing. The homozygous carrier GMM (FecBBB), non‐carrier GMM and Malpura (FecB++) ewes were synchronized by progesterone sponges, and the plasma progesterone concentration was measured by RIA. The results showed that the progesterone concentration did not differ significantly (p > .05) in homozygous carrier GMM (5.74 ± 1.2 ng/ml), non‐carrier GMM (5.42 ± 1.4 ng/ml) and non‐carrier Malpura ewes (5.67 ± 1.5 ng/ml). Further, quantitative expression of BMP factors/receptors and SMAD signalling genes were analysed in the ovaries of sheep by qRT‐PCR. The study showed that the expression of BMP2 was slightly higher (p > .05) in carrier GMM than that of non‐carrier GMM, but it was almost similar to Malpura ewes. Expression of BMP4 and BMP7 was significantly higher (p < .001; p < .05) in carrier GMM than that of non‐carrier GMM and Malpura ewes. Although BMP6 expression was higher (p > .05) in carrier GMM than that of non‐carrier GMM, but lower (p > .05) than the Malpura ewes. Expression of BMP15 (p < .05), GDF5 (p < .01) and GDF9 (p < .05) was significantly higher in carrier GMM than non‐carrier GMM ewes. Surprisingly, BMPR1B expression was significantly higher (p < .001) in non‐carrier GMM and Malpura than the carrier GMM ewes, while TGFβRI did not differ significantly (p > .05) among both GMM genotypes. On the other hand, expression of BMPR1A (p > .05) and BMPRII (p < .05) was higher in carrier GMM than the non‐carrier GMM, but significantly lower (p < .001) than the Malpura ewes. It was interesting to note that the expression of SMAD1 (p > .05), SMAD2 (p < .001), SMAD3 (p < .05), SMAD4 (p < .001), SMAD5 (p < .001) and SMAD8 (p < .001) was lower in the carrier GMM than that of non‐carrier GMM ewes. It is concluded that the FecB mutation alters the expression of BMPR1B and SMAD signalling genes in the ovaries of homozygous carrier GMM ewes.

Genomic Diversity, Population Structure, and Signature of Selection in Five Chinese Native Sheep Breeds Adapted to Extreme Environments

“…TSHR gene was identified to be involved in reproduction [20] and NF1 gene to be associated with litter size [71]. Finally, BMP2 gene was suggested to be involved in sheep prolificacy and fecundity [72,73].…”

Differential expression of BMP/SMAD signaling and ovarian-associated genes in the granulosa cells of FecB introgressed GMM sheep

“…The effects of Booroola mutation on the body weight, litter size, ovulation rate, and other production traits have been well documented in prolific Garole and GM sheep (Kolte et al 2005;Kumar et al 2006Kumar et al , 2007Kumar et al , 2008. However, very limited information is available on the expression of BMP/TGFβRI/SMAD signaling molecules, hormone, hormone receptor, and steroidogenic associated genes in newly developed prolific GMM ewes (Bahire et al 2019). Therefore, the present study was conducted to analyze the expression of the BMP/ SMAD and other ovarian associated genes in the GCs of newly developed FecB homozygous carrier and noncarrier of GMM ewes.…”

Variants in BMP7 and BMP15 3’-UTRs Associated with Reproductive Traits in a Large White Pig Population

“…Injections of BMP7 into the ovarian bursa of rats increased the numbers of primordial, primary, preantral, and antral follicles, and decreased the ovulation rate and serum P4 levels [32]. Furthermore, both ovarian BMP7 levels and BMP7 polymorphisms have been shown to be associated with fertility in domestic animals [13,33]. In sheep, the BMP7 mRNA levels were significantly higher in the ovarian follicles of FecB -carrying ewes with high fecundity [33].…”

“…Furthermore, both ovarian BMP7 levels and BMP7 polymorphisms have been shown to be associated with fertility in domestic animals [13,33]. In sheep, the BMP7 mRNA levels were significantly higher in the ovarian follicles of FecB -carrying ewes with high fecundity [33]. High-throughput technology showed that BMP7 was a candidate gene for reproductive traits in Large White pigs [13] and for the high prolificacy of Hu sheep [34].…”