Cloning,expression, and polymorphism at the 5ʹ-flanking region of the GnRH gene and their association with laying traits in Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata)

1. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), a neuropeptide, plays a vital role in the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis. In vertebrates, GnRH is crucial for the onset of sexual development and the entire reproductive process. The purpose of this study was to identify genetic factors associated with egg-laying traits of Muscovy ducks.

2. The full-length cDNA (474 bp) of Muscovy duck GnRH was obtained and characterised. It encodes 92 amino acids containing a 1-amino acid signal peptide cleavage site. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Muscovy duck GnRH has a close relationship with Anas platyrhynchos GnRH.

3. GnRH showed significantly different expression profiles between 4 developmental periods in the hypothalamus, pituitary, and ovary. The expression of GnRH in the laying period (36 weeks) was higher than at other periods in the three tissues. GnRH was widely expressed in 12 examined tissues of nesting and laying Muscovy ducks. In the hypothalamus, pituitary and gonads, the expression of GnRH was higher than in other tissues.

4. In laying Muscovy ducks, the expression of GnRH in the hypothalamus, pituitary, ovary, muscular stomach, pancreas, heart, duodenum and spleen was significantly higher than in nesting dusks. Differences were detected in the liver and glandular stomach between laying ducks and nesting ducks. Differences between the kidney and lung were not significant.

5. In the pituitary, the GnRH and GnRH receptor (GnRHR) genes shared the same expression profiles during 4 time points. Both genes had the highest expression at 36 weeks of age.

6. A mutation (g.206G > A) in the 5?-flanking region was associated with egg-laying performance. Individuals with genotype GG had better egg-laying performance than the individuals with genotype AA. GnRH may be used as a marker gene for laying performance in the Muscovy duck.

     

Cloning and tissue expression profiling of the GnRHR gene of the Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata): polymorphism and association with egg-laying performance

1. cDNA sequence of gonadotropin-releasing-hormone receptor (GnRHR) gene was cloned and an association analysis between mutations and laying performance was conducted.

2. A 1680-bp cDNA sequence of Muscovy duck GnRHR, which encodes 415 amino acids, was obtained and characterised. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Muscovy duck GnRHR has a close relationship with Gallus gallus GnRHR.

3. There were significantly different expression profiles between 4 age periods in the hypothalamus, pituitary, and ovary. The expression of GnRHR at the age of 36 weeks (laying period) was higher than other time points in the three tissues. GnRHR was expressed in 12 different tissues. The highest expression levels were observed in hypothalamus, pituitary and gonads.

4. A single nucleotide polymorphism detected in the second intron was associated with egg-laying performance. Individuals with genotype TT had better egg-laying performance from individuals with genotypes CC or TC. Therefore, GnRHR could be used as a marker gene for laying performance in Muscovy duck.     

番鸭GDF9基因克隆、生物信息学及组织表达分析

【目的】 对番鸭（Cairina moschata）生长分化因子9（growth differentiation factor 9,GDF9）基因进行克隆及结构和功能的预测,并检测其在就巢期和产蛋期番鸭各组织中的表达差异。【方法】 以番鸭卵巢组织cDNA为模板,利用快速扩增cDNA末端（rapid-amplification of cDNA ends,RACE）技术对GDF9基因进行扩增和克隆,利用生物信息学软件对GDF9基因的编码序列进行相似性分析和进化树构建,分析其基本理化性质和编码氨基酸序列的结构特征。利用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测就巢期番鸭和产蛋期番鸭各组织中GDF9基因的相对表达量。【结果】 GDF9基因CDS区全长1 380 bp,编码459个氨基酸;番鸭GDF9基因序列与GenBank已公布的凤头潜鸭、绿头鸭、天鹅、棕硬尾鸭、浙东白鹅、企鹅、鸡、牛、绵羊、猪和小鼠对应序列的相似性依次为98.8%、97.5%、96.4%、95.8%、94.4%、90.2%、87.5%、64.5%、64.2%、63.9%和60.6%。系统进化树结果显示,番鸭与凤头潜鸭和绿头鸭的亲缘关系较近,与小鼠的亲缘关系较远。GDF9蛋白分子质量为52.81 ku,是一种不稳定的碱性亲水膜外蛋白,有1个信号肽,含有45个磷酸化位点,8个O-糖基化位点,3个N-糖基化位点,存在1个转化生长因子-β（TGF-β）结构域;蛋白质的二级结构由无规则卷曲、α-螺旋、T-转角和β-折叠构成,所占比例分别为58.61%、22.22%、16.56%和2.61%。GDF9蛋白三级结构预测结果与二级结构一致。GDF9蛋白可能与BMP15、BMPR1B、BMPR2、TGFBR1、ACVR1B、POF1B、ZP2、ZAR1和MOS蛋白存在相互作用。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,就巢期和产蛋期番鸭各组织中均有GDF9基因的表达,其中两个时期卵巢中的表达量均最高,且均极显著高于同一时期其他组织基因表达量（P<0.01）。同一组织不同时期相比,就巢期番鸭GDF9基因在脾脏、心脏和肾脏的表达量显著或极显著低于产蛋期（P<0.05;P<0.01）,在卵巢中的表达量极显著高于产蛋期（P<0.01）,其他组织中的表达量在两个时期间差异均不显著（P>0.05）。【结论】 本研究成功克隆番鸭GDF9基因,GDF9基因在番鸭各组织中均有表达,GDF9基因为番鸭产蛋期和就巢期卵巢、心脏、肾脏和脾脏的差异表达基因。该研究为进一步探索番鸭GDF9基因的功能提供了理论依据,也为研究GDF9基因在卵巢发育中的生物学功能及其分子机制奠定基础。     

Cloning of the growth hormone receptor and its muscle-specific mRNA expression in black Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata)

1. The cDNA sequence of the growth hormone receptor (GHR) from the black Muscovy duck was obtained and compared to the mRNA expression of growth hormone (GH) in the breast and leg muscles during 2–13 weeks of age using quantitative RT-PCR.

2. The cDNA sequence of the Muscovy duck GHR gene is 1903 bp in length, with an 1830 bp coding region that encodes 609 amino acids. It exhibits > 92.9% homology with the poultry GHR cDNA and amino acid sequences.

3. Overall, GHR mRNA expression was the highest at 2 weeks and the lowest at 13 weeks of age, exhibiting different profiles in different muscles. In the breast muscles, the GHR mRNA level declined sharply at 2–4 weeks, maintained at a plateau at 4–10 weeks and decreased slightly at 10–13 weeks. In the leg muscles, a gradual and slow decrease was observed during the whole period of 2–13 weeks.

4. Robust extra-pituitary GH mRNA expression was detected in the muscles and the expression profile was highly correlated with that of GHR mRNA, in contrast to the inverse correlation between the pituitary GH and tissue GHR levels shown previously.

5. These data suggest that the locally synthesised GH in the muscles, rather than the pituitary GH, is more closely associated with GHR and may be more critical for the regulation of muscle growth and contribute to the tissue-specific effects of GH.

     

Myostatin in black Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata): full-length cDNA cloning and age-dependent mRNA expression compared with IGF-I

1. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and myostatin (MSTN) are a pair of critical positive and negative growth regulators. The aim of the current study was to examine the age-dependent and muscle-specific expression of IGF-I and MSTN mRNAs in black Muscovy ducks in order to understand their roles in regulating the postnatal muscle growth of domestic ducks.

2. The full-length cDNA of the black Muscovy duck MSTN gene was cloned and the age-dependent mRNA expression profile was compared with that of the IGF-I mRNA in skeletal muscles.

3. The cDNA sequence of the MSTN gene was 1128 bp in length and encodes 375 amino acids, with more than 94.9% homology with poultry MSTN genes, and 83.0–92.0% homology with that of human and mammals (accession: KR006339.1).

4. The IGF-I and MSTN mRNA expression exhibited opposite trends in age-dependency and in different muscles: IGF-I mRNA level was high in the early postnatal stage and low in the late mature stage, corresponding positively to growth; while the MSTN mRNA was low in the early stage, increased gradually and reached the highest level in mature muscles, and was negatively related to muscle growth. In the breast muscles, IGF-I mRNA was much higher than in the leg muscles; the opposite effect was seen in MSTN mRNA.

5. These data suggest that the relative expression levels of IGF-I and MSTN are essential determinants in the temporal and muscle-specific regulation of postnatal skeletal muscle growth in Muscovy duck and possibly in other poultry species as well.

     

Characterization of ovarian morphology and reproductive hormones in Zhedong white geese (Anser cygnoides domesticus) during the reproductive cycle

Zhedong white goose (Anser cygnoides domesticus) is a native Chinese breed with strong broodiness and low egg production, which is related to the physiology of reproduction. However, thus far, the physiology of goose reproduction has not been well elucidated. In the present study, the ovarian morphology and reproductive hormones of Zhedong white geese were investigated during the reproductive cycle (the laying and brooding periods). The results showed that the surface of the ovary was atrophied and follicular atresia appeared to some extent in the brooding period compared with the laying period. The concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone, progesterone and luteinizing hormone were significantly higher than those in the brooding period (p < 0.05). In contrast, the concentrations of prolactin (PRL) and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in the laying period were significantly lower than those in the brooding period (p < 0.05). In addition, the mRNA expression levels of PRL, AMH, dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DβH) and cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) were detected in the hypothalamus, pituitary and ovaries by using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that AMH mRNA was expressed specifically in ovary tissue. The expression levels of DβH and PRL in the brooding period was significantly higher than those in the laying period in the three tissues, especially in the early and middle stages of the brooding period. Moreover, AMH mRNA expression in the ovaries presented the same trend. In addition, P450scc mRNA was highly expressed in both the ovary and pituitary in the laying period. These results revealed the remarkable features of ovarian morphology and characterized the hormonal pattern and expression profile during the reproductive cycle, all of which contribute to understanding the differences in reproductive physiology between the laying and brooding periods in Zhedong white geese.     

Polymorphisms of the prolactin gene and their association with egg production traits in two Chinese domestic ducks

1. Prolactin (PRL) as a polypeptide hormone which plays a crucial role in egg production traits.

2. Polymorphisms of the PRL gene were analysed with DNA sequencing and polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism methods in two Chinese domestic laying duck breeds (Jinding, n = 400, Youxian, n = 400, respectively).

3. The results showed that one polymorphism was detected (A-412G) in intron 1 of the PRL gene, with three genotypes: AA, AG and GG. Association analysis showed that the ducks with the GG genotype had significantly greater egg production and egg weight than those with AG and AA genotype (p < 0.05). Hence, the 412A > G polymorphism of the PRL gene in intron 1 is a potentially valuable genetic marker for laying duck breeding programmes.     

Association Analysis between Differences of GnRHR-Ⅱ Gene Expression with Reproduction Traits Heterosis in Duck Populations

The objective of this study was to clone the sequence of duck type Ⅱ gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR-Ⅱ) gene, and to analyze the association of its expression levels with reproduction trait heterosis. RT-PCR method was used to clone GnRHR-Ⅱ gene fragments, and the expression levels during early laying days and laying fastigium period in Gaoyou duck, Jinding duck and crossed populations were tested by Real-time PCR method. Sequencing and homology analysis showed that the cloned duck GnRHR cDNA was about 500 bp in length, and it belonged to the avian type Ⅱ GnRHR isoforms. It was 96% identical to the cGnRHR-Ⅱ sequence reported in domestic chicken. From the early laying days to laying fastigium period, expression levels of GnRHR-Ⅱ gene in pituitary increased for Jinding duck, Gaoyou duck and crossed populations, with the highest expression levels in Jinding×Gaoyou hybrid group (P<0.01) . The expression levels of GnRHR-Ⅱ gene in hypothalamus also increased for Jinding duck, Gaoyou duck, however, it decreased in two crossed populations. The expression levels of GnRHR-Ⅱ gene in ovary were significantly higher for Jinding duck and two crossed populations than Gaoyou duck (P<0.01), but it decreased during laying fastigium period. Compared to Jinding duck and Gaoyou duck breeds, the two crossed populations had positive heterosis in 42-week production and 42-week egg fertilization percent, and negative heterosis in the first laying age and 42-week fertilized egg hatching rate traits. It suggested that the short-lived higher expression of ovary GnRHR-Ⅱ gene before early laying days be correlated with heterosis of the first laying age and 42-week production traits, and its higher expression levels in pituitary could aid to keep laying fastigium.     

Profiles of maternal origin factors during transition from embryonic diapause to implantation in roe deer

The aim was to evaluate in female roe deer: (a) PAG mRNA relative abundance in endometrial uterine tissue for determination of the duration of embryonic diapause, (b) mRNA relative abundance of progesterone, estradiol, and prolactin (P4, E2, and PRL) receptors (PGR, ESR, and PRLR) during diapause and after implantation in the endometrium; (c) concentration of P4, E2, and PRL in the blood, and (d) a noninvasive method of hormone detection by measurement of P4 and E2 concentrations in feces. A total of fifteen individuals were obtained post mortem during hunting seasons and divided into three experimental groups (November, December, January). The results did not reveal mRNA relative abundance for PAGs in the endometrium or detectable PAG concentrations in the serum of all examined females. Concentration of PRL and mRNA relative abundance for PRLR long isoform in the endometrium was the highest in January (p < .01). mRNA relative abundance for PGR, P4 concentration in the endometrium, serum, and feces was the highest in January (p < .01). Endometrial origin PRL and P4 may be responsible for the termination of this process and pregnancy development after implantation.     

牦牛Bcl-2、Bax基因克隆及其在生殖轴上的表达分析

试验旨在分析Bcl-2与Bax基因的序列特性，并分析其在母牦牛生殖轴上的表达特点，为探讨其在牦牛繁殖活动中的调控作用奠定基础。试验采集健康母牦牛与母黄牛下丘脑、垂体、卵巢、输卵管及子宫组织样品，通过RT-PCR扩增并克隆Bcl-2与Bax基因，并采用生物信息学软件进行序列分析；利用实时荧光定量PCR法检测Bcl-2与Bax基因在牦牛与黄牛不同组织中的表达差异。结果表明，牦牛Bcl-2编码区全长690 bp，编码229个氨基酸；与黄牛Bcl-2基因核苷酸序列同源性最高，为99.86%，其次是山羊、绵羊，同源性分别为98.41%、97.97%；系统进化树表明，牦牛与黄牛亲缘关系最近。牦牛Bax基因编码区全长579 bp，编码192个氨基酸，与黄牛、藏山羊和金堂黑山羊同源性较高，分别为99.83%、99.48%和99.48%，其次是绵羊、马、人，同源性分别为99.14%、95.34%、94.30%；系统进化树表明，牦牛与黄牛亲缘关系最近。Bcl-2和Bax蛋白不存在信号肽，均为酸性不稳定的疏水蛋白。Bcl-2与Bax基因在黄牛及牦牛下丘脑、垂体、卵巢、输卵管和子宫组织中均有表达，其中牦牛卵巢、子宫中Bcl-2基因表达量分别显著和极显著高于黄牛（P<0.05；P<0.01）；牦牛子宫、输卵管中Bax基因表达量显著高于黄牛（P<0.05），牦牛卵巢中Bcl-2/Bax比值极显著高于黄牛（P<0.01），子宫和垂体中显著高于黄牛（P<0.05）。表明Bcl-2与Bax在动物进化中非常保守且在繁殖活动中起重要作用，牦牛卵巢、子宫、输卵管和垂体中的高表达量可能与牦牛处于极端恶劣环境的细胞抗凋亡作用有关。     

Protein and mRNA expression of follicle‐stimulating hormone receptor and luteinizing hormone receptor during the oestrus in the yak (Bos grunniens)

Follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) have a central role in follicle growth, maturation and oestrus, but no clear pathway in the seasonal oestrus of yak (Bos grunniens) has been found. To better understand the role of FSH and LH in seasonal oestrus in the yak, six yaks were slaughtered while in oestrus, and the pineal gland, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and gonads were collected. Using real‐time PCR and immunohistochemical assays, we determined the mRNA and protein expression of the FSH and LH receptors (FSHR and LHR) in these organs. The analysis showed that the FSHR mRNA expression level was higher in the pituitary gland tissue compared with LHR (p < .01) during oestrus. By contrast, there was low expression of FSHR and LHR mRNA in the pineal gland and hypothalamus. FSHR mRNA expression was higher than that of LHR (p < .05) in the ovary, whereas LHR mRNA expression was higher than that of FSHR (p < .01) in the uterus. FSHR and LHR proteins were located in the pinealocyte, synaptic ribbon and synaptic spherules of the pineal gland and that FSH and LH interact via nerve fibres. In the hypothalamus, FSHR and LHR proteins were located in the magnocellular neurons and parvocellular neurons. FSHR and LHR proteins were localized in acidophilic cells and basophilic cells in the pituitary gland, and in surface epithelium, stromal cell and gland epithelium in the uterus. In the ovary, FSHR and LHR protein were present in the ovarian follicle. Thus, we concluded that FSHR and LHR are located in the pineal gland, hypothalamus, pituitary and gonad during oestrus in the yak. However, FSHR was mainly expressed in the pituitary gland and ovaries, whereas LHR was mainly expressed in the pituitary gland and uterus.     

黄体期和卵泡期小尾寒羊DIO2与DIO3组织表达

为分析DIO2和DIO3基因在小尾寒羊不同繁殖时期(黄体期和卵泡期)下丘脑-垂体-性腺轴各组织中的表达差异,阐明这2个基因在绵羊发情转换中的表达模式,实验采用实时荧光定量PCR(Real-time PCR)技术对比分析DIO2和DIO3基因在黄体期和卵泡期小尾寒羊下丘脑-垂体-性腺轴各组织中的表达差异。结果表明:DIO2和DIO3基因在下丘脑、垂体、松果体、大脑、小脑、卵巢、子宫、输卵管、肾脏、肾上腺10种组织中均表达;DIO2基因在黄体期和卵泡期的垂体组织中表达量显著高于其他组织(P<0.05),其中黄体期垂体、子宫、下丘脑、松果体、输卵管和卵巢DIO2的表达量显著高于卵泡期(P<0.05);DIO3在卵泡期松果体、下丘脑、子宫、垂体和输卵管的表达量显著高于黄体期(P<0.05)。综上,DIO2能抑制绵羊发情,而DIO3促进发情。     

DGAT1, GH, GHR, PRL and PRLR polymorphism in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

The polymorphism of several genes has been shown to affect the milk composition traits in dairy cattle, including DGAT1‐exon8 K232A, GH‐intron3 MspI, GH‐exon5 AluI, GHR‐exon8 F279Y, PRL‐exon3 RsaI and PRLR‐exon3 S18N. However, the polymorphism and effects of these genes on the milk traits of water buffalo are still unclear. In this study, four DNA pooling samples from Murrah, Nili‐ravi, Murrah‐Nili‐Swamp crossbreed and Chinese swamp buffalo were constructed, respectively, and polymorphism of these sites was investigated using PCR–Single‐strand conformation polymorphism and sequencing. Twenty‐eight inter‐specific single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) were found in these six assayed gene fragments between buffalo and dairy cattle, including nine intra‐specific SNPs among buffalo groups. All buffalo fixed a K allele genotype in DGAT1‐exon8, MspI⁺ restriction site(c nucleotide) and AluI⁺ site(c nucleotide) at intron3 and exon5 of GH gene, F allele genotype of F279Y mutation in GHR gene, RsaI^? restriction site at PRL‐exon3/exon4 and N allele genotype of S18N mutation at PRLR‐exon3. It provides an indirect evidence that water buffalo have fixed alleles with genotypes reported in dairy cattle, which is thought to be responsible for high milk fat, high protein content and low milk yield. Moreover, three new intra‐specific SNPs were found including 275th bp (c/t) in DGAT1 of Murrah buffalo, 109th bp (t/a) in PRL‐exon3/exon4 and 43rd bp (c/t) in PRLR‐exon3 of Chinese swamp buffalo. Information provided in this study will be useful in further studies to improve buffalo breeding for better lactation performances.     

高、低产双黄蛋高邮鸭卵巢组织差异分析

本试验以高邮鸭为研究对象,选择双黄蛋高、低产组高邮鸭各6只,颈动脉放血致死后立即采集下丘脑、垂体、肝脏、输卵管及卵巢组织,将采集的卵巢组织通过组织切片、HE染色观察卵巢形态结构,并对双黄蛋高、低产组高邮鸭卵巢中等级卵泡进行统计对比;进行特异性标记蛋白卵泡刺激素受体（FSHR）免疫组化染色,观察两组高邮鸭卵巢阳性细胞表达情况及卵巢颗粒细胞分布;同时提取下丘脑、垂体、肝脏、输卵管及卵巢组织RNA,采用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测FSHR基因的表达。结果显示,双黄蛋高产和低产组高邮鸭卵巢在组织结构及卵泡发育上存在明显差异,高产组卵巢上的卵泡繁密且发育良好,密布着众多小黄卵泡、大白卵泡及小白卵泡,各级卵泡大小差异明显;而低产组卵巢上的卵泡稀疏且发育较为迟缓,小黄卵泡、大白卵泡及小白卵泡数量较少。实时荧光定量PCR检测结果表明,高产组高邮鸭下丘脑、垂体、肝脏及输卵管中的FSHR基因表达量极显著高于低产组（P<0.01）,而卵巢中FSHR基因表达量在两组中差异不显著（P>0.05）。本试验结果表明,双黄蛋高、低产组高邮鸭的卵巢结构及卵泡发育存在显著差异,卵巢上的微环境可能是影响高邮鸭双黄蛋产蛋性能的影响因素。     

Physiological and hormonal aspects in female domestic pigeons (Columba livia) associated with breeding stage and experience

The present study examined the changes in serum biochemical values, hormone profiles and ovary prolactin receptor (PRLR) gene expression occurring in female domestic pigeons (Columba livia) under different breeding status and experience. The egg‐laying pigeons had lower calcium, total protein, albumin, prolactin levels and higher oestrogen levels than those of incubating birds (p < 0.05). First‐time breeders had higher (p < 0.05) progesterone levels and lower (p < 0.05) prolactin levels than that of experienced ones. The levels of oestrogen and follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) increased with age (p < 0.05). The very old birds showed a pronounced increase (p < 0.05) in PRL, FSH and progesterone and a little decrease in oestrogen. Serum prolactin level was not correlated with the ovary PRLR mRNA expression pattern among all the pigeons. Results showed that serum physiological profile of female pigeons was correlated with breeding status, whereas reproductive hormone levels were correlated with advancing breeding experience. It was concluded that female pigeons had a good ability of recovering from nutrient loss after each breeding attempts, and the degradation of reproductive performance might be attributed to changes in the endocrine system.     

Effect of the polymorphism of prolactin receptor (PRLR) and leptin (LEP) genes on litter size in Polish pigs

The aim of the experiment was to use the DNA mutations in the PRLR and LEP genes to determine associations between the genotype and litter size in Polish Large White × Landrace sows. Reproductive traits investigated were: total number of piglets born (TNB), number of piglets born alive (NBA) and number of piglets weaned. The polymorphism in PRLR and LEP genes was detected using the polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment‐length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) method, with specific primers and the restriction enzymes AluI and HinfI respectively. Two different alleles of PRLR and LEP gene were identified: alleles A (0.62) and B (0.38) of the PRLR gene and alleles C (0.10) and T (0.90) of the LEP gene. The relationships between the PRLR and LEP genotypes and TBN, NBA and NW were analysed. The analysis showed, in first parity sows, statistically significant (p ≤ 0.01) differences between sows carrying different PRLR genotypes. In later parities, sows with the AA genotype still had the largest litter size compared with AB and BB sows, but the difference was statistically not significant. Analysis of the interaction PARITY × PRLR showed small and statistically not significant differences. The analysis of relationship between different LEP genotypes and TNB, NBA, NW showed small and statistically non‐significant differences.     

NPY、TSH-β、CaBP-28K基因在鸭繁殖期组织中的表达水平分析

本研究对繁殖期高邮鸭神经肽Y(NPY)、促甲状腺激素β(TSH-β)、钙结合蛋白-D28K(CaBP-28K)基因在中枢神经组织和周围组织表达量进行了实时荧光定量分析。结果表明:NPY基因在下丘脑中表达量显著高于在垂体和在小肠中的表达量(P<0.05),在卵巢、心脏、肝脏、脾脏、肾脏、胰腺、子宫、胸肌、腿肌等9个部位呈痕量表达;TSH-β基因在垂体、小肠中表达量较高,显著高于其他组织(P<0.05);CaBP-28K基因在小肠表达量最多,其次是卵巢和肾脏,但均显著大于垂体中表达量(P<0.05),在其他测定部位呈痕量表达,就生殖轴而言,CaBP-28KmRNA的表达量表现为卵巢>垂体>下丘脑。本研究为了解高邮鸭繁殖期相关基因的表达特征和内分泌机制,指导高邮鸭选种选育提供了理论依据。