Differential expression of BMP/SMAD signaling and ovarian-associated genes in the granulosa cells of FecB introgressed GMM sheep

The present study was conducted to analyze the mRNA expression of the BMP/SMAD signaling and steroidogenesis associated genes in the granulosa cells (GCs) of newly developed Booroola homozygous carrier GMM (FecBBB) and non-carrier GMM (FecB++) ewes through qRT-PCR. Results showed that the expression of BMP2 (P < 0.05) and BMP6 (P < 0.01) was significantly higher in the GCs of the homozygous carrier GMM (FecBBB) than the non-carrier GMM (FecB++) ewes, while the expression of BMP4 was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the GCs of non-carrier GMM (FecB++) than the homozygous carrier GMM (FecBBB). In comparison, the expression of TGFβR1, BMPR1A, BMPR1B, and BMPRII was not significantly different between GCs of the homozygous carrier GMM (FecBBB) and non-carrier GMM (FecB++) ewes. Similarly, the expression of SMAD1, SMAD2, SMAD3, SMAD4, and SMAD5 was not significantly different between GCs of homozygous carrier GMM (FecBBB) and non-carrier GMM (FecB++). Further, expression of the INHIBIN, P4R, CYP11A1, and 3βHSD1 genes were not significantly different among the GCs of homozygous carrier GMM (FecBBB) and non-carrier GMM (FecB++), while the expression of StAR was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in the GCs of homozygous carrier GMM (FecBBB) than that of GCs of non-carrier GMM (FecB++) ewes. It is concluded that the FecB mutation significantly up-regulates the expression of BMP2, BMP6, and StAR genes and down-regulate the expression of BMP2 in granulosa cells of newly developed GMM ewes.Abbreviations BMP: Bone morphogenetic protein; TGFβ: Transforming growth factor-beta; SMAD: Fusion of Caenorhabditis elegans Sma genes and the Drosophila Mad, Mothers against decapentaplegic; GCs: Granulosa cells; GMM: Garole x Malpura x Malpura; FecB: Booroola fecundity; BMPR: Bone morphogenetic protein receptor; CYP11A1: Cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily A member 1; StAR (Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein); 3βHSD1: 3 Beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase; IGF: Insulin-like growth factor; ActR2: Activin receptor 2; ACVR1: Activin A receptor, type I; ACVR2: Activin A receptor, type II; ACVRL1: Activin A receptor like type 1; ACVR1B: Activin A receptor type 1B; ACVR1C: Activin A receptor type 1C; RFLP-PCR: Restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction; qRT-PCR: Quantitative real-time PCR; ANOVA: Analysis of variance; P4R: Progesterone receptor: AMH: Anti mullerian hormone; RT-PCR: Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction; ER: Estrogen receptor; FSHR: Follicle stimulating hormone receptor.