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Title: POSITIVE CORRELATION OF EXPRESSION BETWEEN FSH-BETA AND INHIBIN/ACTIVIN BETAB SUBUNIT GENES IN CROSSBRED BOARS

Author
item LI, MING - UNI MINNESOTA-MINNEAPOLIS
item MACDONALD, GORDON - UMDNJ-RW JOHNSON MED., NJ
item Wise, Thomas
item Ford, Johny

Submitted to: Endocrine Society Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/20/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Chinese Meishan (MS) boars have markedly greater plasma follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations than White Composite (WC) boars. We reported that the inhibin/activin (I/A) betaB subunit gene was more highly expressed in anterior glands of MS than in WC boars; however, we were unable to distinguish if this difference was related to the elevated plasma FSH concentrations in MS boars or to a breed difference. Sexually mature crossbred boars (1/2 MS and 1/2 WC, N=12) were selected for divergence in plasma FSH concentrations (Range: 171-1535 ng/ml), measured the day before slaughter by RIA. RNA, isolated from anterior pituitary halves of each boar, was examined for expression of calmodulin, FSH-beta and I/A betaB genes by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and RNase protection assays (RPA). Both assays indicated that the expression of betaB gene was positively correlated to that of the FSH-beta gene (RT-PCR: r=0.93; P<0.01; RPA: r=0.68; P<0.05). In contrast, expression of calmodulin gene was not correlated with that of the FSH-beta gene in these boars (RT-PCR: r=-0.08; P>0.10). Additionally, expression of FSH-beta gene was correlated with pituitary and plasma FSH concentrations (r=0.69 and 0.88; respectively, P<0.05). On the basis of these results, we hypothesize that activin B is partially responsible for elevated FSH concentrations in boars and that expression differences of the calmodulin gene between MS and WC boars represents breed differences unrelated to FSH. Further understanding of the mechanisms that control FSH secretion will aid in the identification of genomic markers for improving gonadal function in swine.