title: Evidence for a role of ferritin heavy chain in mediating reproductive processes of geese.
abstract: Ferritin heavy chain (FHC), which exhibits ferroxidase activity and mediates the primary functions of ferritin, plays a role in regulating reproduction in animals. However, the changes in the FHC mRNA and protein levels in the HPG axis of geese remain to be determined. In the current study, FHC mRNA expression level was quantitatively monitored in the hypothalamus, anterior pituitary and ovary stroma in prelaying and laying geese. In addition, the levels of FHC mRNA and protein were determined in follicles and ovarian stroma of laying geese. In comparison to prelaying geese, the FHC mRNA expression were 2.4, 1.8, and 13 times higher in the hypothalamus, anterior pituitary and ovarian stroma of laying geese, respectively (p<0.05). FHC mRNA and protein were detected in all examined follicles and ovarian stroma. FHC mRNA expression was higher in postovulatory follicles (POFs) and atretic follicles than in developing follicles and ovarian stroma. Furthermore, the FHC protein concentration in POF3 and atretic follicles were, respectively, 1.45 and 1.7 times higher compared with that of F1 (p<0.05). In conclusion, the presented results provided evidence of a link between FHC and goose reproduction, and supplied a theoretical foundation and a new approach for studying reproduction, in particular ovarian follicular development in birds.
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, PR China; Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, PR China.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, PR China; Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, PR China. Electronic address: jiangdm9277@163.com.
authors.forename: Dongmei
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, PR China; Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, PR China.
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, PR China; Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, PR China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: He
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D046090:Anseriformes / Q000502:physiology*; D001052:Apoferritins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D007501:Iron; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000502:physiology*; D010058:Oviposition / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D001052:Apoferritins; D007501:Iron
keywords: Ferritin heavy chain; Follicular development; Goose; Hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis; mRNA expression