title: Association of a missense mutation in the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor gene (LHCGR) with superovulation traits in Chinese Holstein heifers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Upon binding luteinizing hormone in the ovary, the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) is necessary for follicular maturation and ovulation, as well as luteal function. We detected mutations in the LHCGR gene and evaluated their association with superovulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and DNA sequencing, we examined polymorphisms in LHCGR and the genotypes associated with superovulation traits in 127 Chinese Holstein heifers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A G/T polymorphism (ss52050737) in exon 11 was significantly associated with the total number of ova and the number of transferable embryos.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LHCGR may be a new predictor for superovulation in Chinese Holstein heifers.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, PR China.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, PR China.
authors.forename: Yunwei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, PR China.
authors.forename: Haichao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, PR China.
authors.forename: Xiaoling
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, PR China.
authors.forename: Zhonghong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, PR China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: An
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, PR China.
authors.forename: Jianhui
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tian