Mutations in the leptin receptor gene associated with delayed onset of puberty are also associated with decreased ovulation and lambing rates in prolific Davisdale sheep
Jennifer L. Juengel A C , Michelle C. French A , Anne R. O’Connell A , Sara J. Edwards A , Avijit Haldar B , Rudiger Brauning A , Phil A. Farquhar A , Ken G. Dodds A , Susan M. Galloway A , Peter D. Johnstone A and George H. Davis A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Animal Productivity, AgResearch Limited, Invermay Agricultural Centre, Puddle Alley, Mosgiel 9092, New Zealand.
B Animal Reproduction Division, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Tripura Centre, Lembucherra-799210, West Tripura, India.
C Corresponding author. Email: jenny.juengel@agresearch.co.nz
Reproduction, Fertility and Development 28(9) 1318-1325 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD14382
Submitted: 9 October 2014 Accepted: 13 January 2015 Published: 18 February 2015
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine if single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the leptin receptor (LEPR) gene associated with delayed onset of puberty are associated with changes in other reproductive traits in adult ewes. The ovulation rate of ewes homozygous for the SNPs was ~15% lower (P < 0.001) than either wild-type or heterozygous ewes. First-service conception rate was also affected, being ~12% lower (P < 0. 01) in ewes homozygous for the LEPR SNPs than their wild-type or heterozygous contemporaries. Partial failure of multiple ovulations was also increased (P < 0.01) in ewes that ovulated three ova that were either heterozygous or homozygous for the mutations. Ewes homozygous for the mutations in LEPR had on average 0.2 fewer lambs at mid-pregnancy and at birth compared with the wild-type or heterozygous ewes (P < 0.01). Thus, mutations in LEPR were strongly associated with poorer reproductive performance in Davisdale ewes, which is likely to be linked to both a reduced number of ova available for fertilisation and an increased number of ewes failing to become pregnant. Increased partial failure of multiple ovulations in ewes with high ovulation rates (i.e. 3 or greater) may also contribute to the poor reproductive performance.
Additional keywords: embryo–fetal survival, litter size, oestrous behaviour, partial failure of multiple ovulation, reproductive efficiency.
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