Expression of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) mRNA in the ovary of Zi geese during developmental and egg laying stages.

In order to evaluate the expression profile of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) mRNA in the ovary of Zi geese during developmental and egg laying stages, the expression levels of FSHR mRNA in the ovary of Zi geese at the ages of 1 day, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8 months (n=8, respectively) were examined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The results showed that FSHR mRNA expression was greater at the age of 1 to 5 and 8 months compared to expression at day 1 (P < 0.05). Particularly, the expression of FSHR mRNA at 4, 5 and 8 months was much greater, 1.86 +/- 0.14, 3.50 +/- 0.19 and 5.11 +/- 0.27 fold, respectively, compared to expression at day 1 (P < 0.01). The level of FSHR mRNA expression at 1, 2 and 3 months was 1.35 +/- 0.12, 1.31 +/- 0.05 and 1.28 +/- 0.09 fold greater, respectively, compared to day 1 (P < 0.05). The results indicate that the expression of FSHR mRNA remains at a stable level during the early developmental stage, and increases initially from 4 months until the egg laying stage. In addition, these results support the possibility that FSHR plays a pivotal role in mediating the response of the goose ovary to follicle-stimulating hormone during the developmental and egg laying stages, and especially during the latter.