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14 January 2010 Endocrine Characterization of the Reproductive Axis in Highly Prolific Lacaune Sheep Homozygous for the FecLL Mutation
Laurence Drouilhet, Catherine Taragnat, Joël Fontaine, Anne Duittoz, Philippe Mulsant, Loys Bodin, Stéphane Fabre
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Abstract

A prolific allele named FecLL is known to segregate in the meat breed of the French Lacaune sheep on the basis of ovulation rate record. To gain more knowledge about the physiological effects of FecLL, ewes homozygous for FecLL (L/L) were compared to wild-type ewes ( / ) for ovarian phenotype and reproductive endocrine profiles. At the ovarian level, the increased ovulation rate in L/L ewes was associated with an increased number of antral follicles of greater than 3 mm and with preovulatory follicles being, on average, 1 mm smaller. Intrafollicular estradiol and testosterone concentrations were not significantly different between the two genotypes. In contrast, L/L large follicles (≥6 mm) had lower intrafollicular progesterone concentration. At the molecular level, expressions of ovarian markers, such as CYP19A1, CYP11A1, CYP17A1, LHR, and INHA, were not significantly different between the two genotypes. In contrast, FSHR and STAR mRNA levels increased in granulosa cells from L/L ewes. Plasma concentrations of estradiol, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and progesterone measured across a synchronized estrous cycle revealed a significant increase in estradiol levels during the follicular phase, a precocious LH surge, and an increase in progesterone level during the luteal phase of L/L ewes compared to / ewes. Circulating concentrations of FSH were not different between the two genotypes. The precocious LH surge was associated with an increase in frequency of LH pulsatility during the follicular phase. At the pituitary level, mRNA levels for LHB, FSHB, GNRHR, and ESR1 were not significantly different between the two genotypes. In contrast, ESR2 mRNA expression was decreased in L/L ewes compared to / ewes. Based on ovarian phenotype and endocrine profiles, these findings suggest that the mutation in the FecL gene affects ovarian function in a different way compared to other known prolific mutations affecting the bone morphogenetic protein signaling system in the ovine species.

Laurence Drouilhet, Catherine Taragnat, Joël Fontaine, Anne Duittoz, Philippe Mulsant, Loys Bodin, and Stéphane Fabre "Endocrine Characterization of the Reproductive Axis in Highly Prolific Lacaune Sheep Homozygous for the FecLL Mutation," Biology of Reproduction 82(5), 815-824, (14 January 2010). https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.109.082065
Received: 21 October 2009; Accepted: 1 January 2010; Published: 14 January 2010
KEYWORDS
follicle-stimulating hormone receptor
granulosa cells
luteinizing hormone
ovary
steroid hormones
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