Effects of Overfeeding on the Cholesterol Concentration in Plasma and HMGR Gene Expression in Liver of Goose

3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) is an essential enzyme in endogenous cholesterol synthesis, and it plays an important role in the homeostasis of cholesterol. In this study, with of Landes geese and Tianfu meat geese as the experimental objects, using RT-PCR method, the influence of overfeeding on the expression of HMGR gene in geese liver and its possible mechanism were analyzed. The results showed that the mRNA expression of HMGR gene was detected in liver, abdominal and subcutaneous adipose tissues, intestines, and muscles, while there was the highest expression level in the liver. In addition, the plasma cholesterol concentration was negatively correlated with the hepatic HMGR gene mRNA expression abundance (r=-0.559, P<0.05; r=-0.562, P<0.05). At last, the overfeeding markedly depressed HMGR mRNA abundance in liver and the degree of decrease is higher in the Tianfu meat geese.