title: Effects of starter feeding and early weaning on GHR mRNA expression in liver and rumen of lambs from birth to 84 days of age.
abstract: The growth hormone receptor (GHR) is associated with animal growth and development. To investigate such effects on GHR gene expression, a total of 102 Hu lambs were randomly allocated to one of three groups (Group 1: starter diet from 7 d of age, weaning at 56 d of age; Group 2: starter diet from 42 d of age, weaning at 56 d of age; Group 3: starter diet from 7 d of age; weaning at 28 d of age). Six lambs from each group were sacrificed every 14 d to investigate the effects of starter feeding and weaning age on GHR mRNA expression in the liver and rumen. The results revealed that GHR mRNA expression was significantly higher in the liver and rumen (p < 0.05) than in other tissues. Early starter feeding up-regulated hepatic GHR mRNA expression on days 14, 28, 42 and 56 and ruminal GHR mRNA expression on days 28, 42, 70, and 84 (p < 0.05). Early weaning up-regulated hepatic GHR mRNA expression on days 56, 70 and 84 and ruminal GHR mRNA expression on days 42, 56, 70 and 84 (p < 0.05). Dietary and weaning regimes and age affected the hepatic and ruminal GHR mRNA expression.
authors.affiliation: a College of Animal Science and Technology , Gansu Agriculture University , Lanzhou , China.
authors.forename: Fangbin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: a College of Animal Science and Technology , Gansu Agriculture University , Lanzhou , China.
authors.forename: Chong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: a College of Animal Science and Technology , Gansu Agriculture University , Lanzhou , China.|b The State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems , College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University , Lanzhou , China.|c Engineering Laboratory of Sheep Breeding and Reproduction Biotechnology in Gansu Province , Minqin , China.
authors.forename: Fadi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: a College of Animal Science and Technology , Gansu Agriculture University , Lanzhou , China.
authors.forename: Weimin
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: a College of Animal Science and Technology , Gansu Agriculture University , Lanzhou , China.
authors.forename: Xiaojuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: a College of Animal Science and Technology , Gansu Agriculture University , Lanzhou , China.
authors.forename: Ting
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: b The State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems , College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University , Lanzhou , China.
authors.forename: Zhiyuan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: d Jinchang Zhongtian Sheep Industry Co. Ltd ., Jinchang , China.
authors.forename: Baosheng
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011897:Random Allocation; D011986:Receptors, Somatotropin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012417:Rumen / Q000378:metabolism; D034561:Sheep, Domestic / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D014886:Weaning
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011986:Receptors, Somatotropin
keywords: Feeding programs; gene expression; growth hormone; lambs; receptors; weaning