Analysis of horse and donkey gonadotrophin genes using Southern blotting and DNA hybridization techniques.
Abstract: The number of genes encoding the common alpha-subunit and hormone-specific beta-subunits of the equine gonadotrophins (FSH, LH and CG) were investigated in the horse (Equus caballus), donkey (E. asinus) and 2 horse x donkey hybrids (the mule and hinny). The Southern technique, involving restriction enzyme digestion, blotting and DNA hybridization to 32P-labelled DNA probes was used to estimate the copy number for each gene and to assess the extent to which equids resemble primates, the only other animals that secrete a CG during pregnancy. These methods indicated that, in common with mammals, there was a single copy of the equine gonadotrophin alpha-and FSH beta-subunit genes. Also in common with other mammals, our results are consistent with there being a single LH beta-subunit gene but, unlike primates, no evidence of multiple LH/CG beta-subunit genes was obtained. There was no restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) within species using the 4 enzymes chosen for this study, but the RFLP pattern for the beta-subunit genes differed between species, giving rise to species-specific 'fingerprints'. The mule and hinny Southern blots showed a combination of the horse and donkey fingerprints, consistent with the presence of both genomes in these hybrids and consistent with the expression of both horse and donkey CG by hybrid conceptuses. In man and baboons, multiple genes code for the beta-subunit as a consequence of LH beta-subunit gene duplication.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Publication Date: 1991-01-01 PubMed ID: 1686622
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research investigates the number of genes responsible for the production of three hormones in horses, donkeys, and their hybrids. Particular focus was given to whether equine animals, like primates, also have multiple genes that trigger the release of Chorionic Gonadotrophin (CG) hormone during pregnancy.
Research Methodology
- The research was conducted on horses (Equus caballus), donkeys (E. asinus), and two horse-donkey hybrids; mule and hinny.
- The scientists used Southern blotting along with DNA hybridization techniques to discern the number of genes responsible for the secretion of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), and Chorionic Gonadotrophin (CG).
- The Southern technique includes the processes of restriction enzyme digestion, blotting, and DNA hybridization to 32P-labelled DNA probes to determine the copy number for each gene
Findings of the Research
- The research discovered that, similar to other mammals, equine creatures have a single copy of the genes that encode alpha and FSH beta-subunit hormones.
- The results also supported the notion that there is a single LH beta-subunit gene as seen in other mammals.
- However, the researchers found no evidence of multiple LH/CG beta-subunit genes, differentiating equine animals from primates, which are known to secrete a CG during pregnancy as a result of multiple genes.
- No changes were observed within the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the same species when analyzed with four particular enzymes.
- However, it was found that the RFLP pattern for the beta-subunit genes differs between species, leading to species-specific ‘fingerprints’.
- Blood samples obtained from the mule and hinny showed a combination of the horse and donkey fingerprints, suggesting the presence of both genomes in these hybrids and possible expression of both horse and donkey CG in hybrid conceptions.
Conclusion
- While multiple genes code for the beta-subunit in humans and baboons as a result of LH beta-subunit gene duplication, no such evidence was found in equine animals.
- This shows a genetic variation or development difference in hormone secretion characteristics between primates and equines.
Cite This Article
APA
Stewart F, Maher JK.
(1991).
Analysis of horse and donkey gonadotrophin genes using Southern blotting and DNA hybridization techniques.
J Reprod Fertil Suppl, 44, 19-25.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, AFRC Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics Research, Babraham, Cambridge, U.K.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Blotting, Southern
- DNA
- Female
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone / genetics
- Genes
- Gonadotropins, Equine / genetics
- Horses / genetics
- Luteinizing Hormone / genetics
- Male
- Nucleic Acid Hybridization
- Perissodactyla / genetics
- Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Antczak DF, de Mestre AM, Wilsher S, Allen WR. The equine endometrial cup reaction: a fetomaternal signal of significance. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2013 Jan;1:419-42.
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