An ancient positively selected BMPRIB missense variant increases litter size of Mongolian sheep populations following latitudinal gradient

Bamei mutton sheep is a Chinese domestic sheep breed developed by crossing German Mutton Merino sheep and indigenous Mongolian sheep for meat production. Here, we focused on detecting candidate genes associated with the increasing of the litter size in this breeds under recent artificial selection to improve the efficiency of mutton production. We selected five high- and five low-fecundity Bamei mutton sheep for whole-genome resequencing to identify candidate genes for sheep prolificacy. We used the FST and XP-EHH statistical approach to detect the selective sweeps between these two groups. Combining the two selective sweep methods, the reproduction-related genes JUN, ITPR3, PLCB2, HERC5, and KDM4B were detected. JUN, ITPR3, and PLCB2 play vital roles in GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone), oxytocin, and estrogen signaling pathway. Moreover, KDM4B, which had the highest FST value, exhibits demethylase activity. It can affect reproduction by binding the promoters of estrogen-regulated genes, such as FOXA1 (forkhead box A1) and ESR1 (estrogen receptor 1). Notably, one nonsynonymous mutation (p.S936A) specific to the high-prolificacy group was identified at the TUDOR domain of KDM4B. These observations provide a new opportunity to research the genetic variation influencing fecundity traits within a population evolving under artificial selection. The identified genomic regions that are responsible for litter size can in turn be used for further selection.

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Whole-Genome Sequencing of Bamei Mutton Sheep for Screening the Genes and SNPs Associated with Litter Size under Selection

10.21203/rs.3.rs-48882/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yaxin Yao ◽

Zhangyuan Pan ◽

Ran Di ◽

Qiuyue Liu ◽

Wenping Hu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Litter Size ◽

Estrogen Signaling ◽

Meat Production ◽

Domestic Sheep ◽

Whole Genome ◽

Nonsynonymous Mutation ◽

Demethylase Activity ◽

Whole Genome Resequencing ◽

Mongolian Sheep ◽

Genomic Regions

Abstract Background: Bamei mutton sheep is a Chinese domestic sheep breed developed by crossing German Mutton Merino sheep and indigenous Mongolian sheep for meat production. Here, we focused on increasing the litter size of this breed to improve the efficiency of mutton production.Results: We selected five high- and five low-fecundity Bamei mutton sheep for whole-genome resequencing to identify candidate genes for sheep prolificacy. We used the FST and XP-EHH statistical approach to detect the selective sweeps between these two groups. Combining the two selective sweep methods, the reproduction-related genes JUN, ITPR3, PLCB2, HERC5, and KDM4B were detected. JUN, ITPR3, and PLCB2 play vital roles in GnRH, oxytocin, and estrogen signaling pathway. Moreover, KDM4B, which had the highest FST value, exhibits demethylase activity. It can affect reproduction by binding the promoters of estrogen-regulated genes, such as FOXA1 and ESR1. Notably, one nonsynonymous mutation (p.S936A) specific to the high-prolificacy group was identified at the TUDOR domain of KDM4B.Conclusion: These observations provide a new opportunity to research the genetic variation influencing fecundity traits within a population evolving under artificial selection. The identified genomic regions of KDM4B that are responsible for litter size can in turn be used for further selection.

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Pituitary and ovarian response to transient doe-litter separation in nursing rabbits

Reproduction ◽

10.1530/reprod/118.2.361 ◽

2000 ◽

pp. 361-366 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

E Ubilla ◽

PG Rebollar ◽

D Pazo ◽

AI Esquifino ◽

JM Alvarino

Keyword(s):

Pituitary Gland ◽

Litter Size ◽

Artificial Insemination ◽

Ovarian Response ◽

Major Effect ◽

Free Access ◽

Plasma Prolactin ◽

Follicular Waves ◽

Higher Sensitivity

The effects of a transient doe-litter separation on plasma prolactin, FSH and oestradiol concentrations, as well as the effect on LH response to exogenous GnRH administered at the time of artificial insemination, were determined in nursing rabbits. The effects on fertility, and litter size after parturition, as well as litter survival after doe-litter separation, were also studied. Control does (n = 12) had free access to nursing, whereas biostimulated does (n = 12) were separated from their litters for 48 h before artificial insemination. Plasma prolactin concentrations were decreased 24 h after the doe-litter separation (P < 0.05). The response of prolactin to suckling reached 10 times the basal values measured on day 10 after parturition (P < 0.0001). Increased oestradiol concentrations were found during the 48 h after the doe-litter separation: at 0 h, before artificial insemination (P< 0. 0001), 1.0-2.0 h after artificial insemination (P < 0.001), at 2.5 h (P < 0.05), 3.0 h (P < 0.01), and at 3.5 h (P < 0.05) after artificial insemination. Exogenous GnRH administered at the time of artificial insemination caused a greater LH response in does previously separated from their litters during 48 h (P < 0.01). The transient doe-litter separation did not affect plasma FSH concentrations, fertility, litter size or litter survival. These results suggest that a transient separation of nursing does from their litters before artificial insemination results in a decrease in plasma prolactin concentrations that could promote growth of follicular waves, and high steroidogenesis activity, leading to increased oestradiol concentrations and inducing higher sensitivity of the pituitary gland to exogenous GnRH. These findings associated to the absence of suckling episodes would lead to higher LH response and, therefore, exert a major effect on fertility.

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Effects of Fetus Weight, Dam Strain, Dam Weight, and Litter Size on the Craniofacial Morphogenesis of CL/Fr Mouse Fetuses Affected with Cleft Lip and Palate

The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal ◽

10.1597/1545-1569_1997_034_0325_eofwds_2.3.co_2 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 34 (4) ◽

pp. 325-330 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kazuaki Nonaka ◽

Yasunori Sasaki ◽

Yoshihisa Watanabe ◽

Ken-ichi Yanagita ◽

Minoru Nakata

Keyword(s):

Litter Size ◽

Cleft Lip ◽

Cleft Lip And Palate ◽

Craniofacial Morphology ◽

Strain Effect ◽

Craniofacial Growth ◽

Lateral Cephalogram ◽

Mouse Fetus ◽

Mouse Fetuses ◽

Craniofacial Morphogenesis

Objective: This study examined the factors related to the morphogenesis of the craniofacial complex of the CL/Fr mouse fetus affected with CLP based on the findings of a lateral cephalogram. Design: Embryo transfer experiments were performed to determine the effect of the fetus weight, dam strain, dam weight, and litter size on the intra-uterine craniofacial morphogenesis of CL/Fr mouse fetuses. On the 18th gestational day, each pregnant dam that had received CL/Fr mouse embryos was laparotomized to remove the transferred fetuses that had developed in the uteri of the cleft lip and palate (CLP)-susceptible CL/Fr strain dam and the CLP-resistant C57BL strain dam. A cephalometric observation of the craniofacial morphology of each fetus was subsequently performed. Results: Based on a multiple regression analysis, the standardized partial regression coefficients of the affected fetus weight, the dam weight, and the litter size on the maxillary size of the affected CL/Fr fetus were 0.71 (p < .01), 0.03, and −0.07. According to a least-squares analysis of variance, the dam strain effect in addition to the effect of the affected fetus weight on the maxillary size and the cranial size of the affected fetuses was significant (p < .01 for cranial size, p < .05 for maxillary size) and close to a significant level (p = .09) for the mandibular size of the affected fetuses. The adjusted maxillary size and cranial size after statistically eliminating the effects of the affected fetus weight, dam weight, and lifter size on each original craniofacial size of the affected fetuses that had developed in the CL/Er dam strain were also significantly smaller than those of the affected fetuses that had developed in the C57BL dam strain. Conclusions: The present results indicate that the craniofacial growth of the CL/Fr mouse fetus affected with CLP increased in proportion to the fetus weight. The dam strain effect, in addition to the effect of the affected fetus weight, could thus not be ignored when the etiology of the spontaneous CLP was examined, while the uterine environment, provided by the CL/Fr strain dam, retarded the intra-uterine craniofacial growth of the affected fetuses. It was therefore concluded that the dam strain effect, as well as the effect of the affected fetus weight, both play an important role on the craniofacial morphogenesis of the CL/Fr strain of the affected fetuses that developed in both strain dams.

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Correlated response to selection for litter size in pigs: II. Carcass, meat, and fat quality traits

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.2527/2002.80102566x ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 80 (10) ◽

pp. 2566 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

J. Estany ◽

D. Villalba ◽

M. Tor ◽

D. Cubiló ◽

J. L. Noguera

Keyword(s):

Litter Size ◽

Correlated Response ◽

Quality Traits ◽

Response To Selection ◽

Fat Quality ◽

Selection For

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Heritability of Litter Size in Swine

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.2527/jas1961.203566x ◽

1961 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 566-568 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

W. J. Boylan ◽

W. E. Rempel ◽

R. E. Comstock

Keyword(s):

Litter Size

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The family Orthotrichaceae (Bryophyta) in flora of Russia: results of revision and biogeographical review

Novosti sistematiki nizshikh rastenii ◽

10.31111/nsnr/2018.52.2.519 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 52 (2) ◽

pp. 519-534 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

V. E. Fedosov

Keyword(s):

Hot Spots ◽

Latitudinal Gradient ◽

Hot Spot ◽

Spatial Differentiation ◽

Taxonomic Composition ◽

Undescribed Species ◽

Longitudinal Gradient ◽

Biogeographic Pattern ◽

The Family ◽

North Pacific Region

Recent studies on Orthotrichoid mosses in Russia are summarized genus by genus. Orthotrichum furcatum Otnyukova is synonymized with Nyholmiella obtusifolia. Orthotrichum vittii is excluded from the Russian moss flora. Description of O. dagestanicum is amended. Fifty four currently recognized species from 9 genera of the Orthotrichaceae are presently known to occur in Russia; list of species with common synonyms and brief review of distribution in Russia is presented. Numerous problematic specimens with unresolved taxonomy were omitted for future. Revealed taxonomical inconsistencies in the genera Zygodon, Ulota, Lewinskya, Nyholmiella, Orthotrichum are briefly discussed. Main regularities of spatial differentiation of the family Orthotrichaceae in Russia are considered. Recently presented novelties contribute to the certain biogeographic pattern, indicating three different centers of diversity of the family, changing along longitudinal gradient. Unlike European one, continental Asian diversity of Orthotrichaceae is still poorly known, the Siberian specimens which were previously referred to European species in most cases were found to represent other, poorly known or undescribed species. North Pacific Region houses peculiar and poorly understood hot spot of diversity of Orthotrichoid mosses. Thus, these hot spots are obligatory to be sampled in course of revisions of particular groups, since they likely comprise under-recorded cryptic- or semi-cryptic species. Latitudinal gradient also contributes to the spatial differentiation of the revealed taxonomic composition of Orthotrichaceae.

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