Abstract :
The polymorphism in follicle stimulating hormone beta (FSHB) subunit gene was detected
by PCR-SSCP and PCR-RFLP methods in 780 does from four goat breeds including Boer,
Matou, Black and Boer–Matou crossbred (BM). The associations of FSHB genotypes with
litter size (LS), litter weight at birth (LWB) and gestation length (GL) as well as superovulation
performances were analyzed in relatively lower-prolific Boer and higher-prolific
Matou breeds. A 1514 bp linear DNA sequence of goat FSHB gene covering the complete 3
exons was cloned by four pairs of primer. A new mutation (A2645G, GenBank Accession no:
S64745) locating in exon 3 causing an amino acid change from glutamine (Gln) to arginine
(Arg) at residue 115 was identified, which resulted in three genotypes named AA, AB and
BB. The three genotypes were detected in the four studied goat breeds. The higher-prolific
Matou breed had the highest frequency of genotype AA. Association analysis showed that
Boer and Matou does with AA genotype have the largest LS both in average and in parities
from first to fourth (P < 0.05). Furthermore, Boer does with AA genotype had the heaviest
LWB compared to other two genotypes (P < 0.05). Matou does with AA genotype have more
numbers of ova harvested, large follicles and corpus lutea on ovaries after superovulation
than those with BB genotype (P < 0.05). Therefore, these results suggest that the FSHB gene
is a candidate gene that affects reproduction traits in goats.
