Expression of progesterone receptor related to the polymorphism in the PGR gene in the rabbit reproductive tract

• Published in: Journal of animal science Vol. 88; no. 2; pp. 421 - 427
• Main Authors: Peiró, R, Herrler, A, Santacreu, M.A, Merchán, M, Argente, M.J, García, M.L, Folch, J.M, Blasco, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Champaign, IL American Society of Animal Science 01.02.2010; Am Soc Animal Sci
• Subjects: Animal productions; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Blotting, Western; breeding lines; Fallopian Tubes - metabolism; Female; female fertility; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gene expression; Gene Expression - genetics; genes; genetic polymorphism; genetic variation; Genotype; hormone receptors; hormone secretion; molecular sequence data; oviducts; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide - genetics; Pregnancy; progestational hormones; progesterone; Progesterone - genetics; promoter regions; Promoter Regions, Genetic - genetics; Protein Isoforms - genetics; rabbits; Rabbits - genetics; Receptors, Progesterone - biosynthesis; Receptors, Progesterone - genetics; reproductive traits; single nucleotide polymorphism; Terrestrial animal productions; uterus; Uterus - metabolism; Vertebrates; Farming animal; PGR genotype; Rabbit; Genotype; Lagomorpha; Vertebrata; Meat animals; Mammalia; Gene; Uterus; Oviduct; Progesterone; Polymorphism; progesterone receptor expression
• ISSN: 0021-8812; 1525-3163
• DOI: 10.2527/jas.2009-1955

The association of the 2464G > A SNP found in the promoter region of the rabbit progesterone receptor gene with progesterone receptor (PR) expression was evaluated by Western blot analysis. This SNP was associated with 2 lines divergently selected for uterine capacity, the high line selected to increase uterine capacity and the low line selected to decrease uterine capacity. Two progesterone isoforms were obtained using a commercial monoclonal antibody: the PR-B isoform described previously in rabbits, and the PR-A isoform, not described previously in rabbits. The GG genotype, the genotype more frequent in the high line, showed less PR-B and PR-A expression than the AA genotype in the oviduct (GG/AAPR₋B = 0.81 and GG/AAPR₋A = 0.73) and uterus (around 0.70 in both isoforms). The GA genotype showed similar PR-A expression in both tissues and also similar PR-B expression in the oviduct to the GG genotype. Conversely, the GG genotype showed less PR-B expression than the GA genotype in the uterus (GG/GAPR₋B = 0.79). Similar expression of both PR isoforms was found in the uterus at d 2 and 3 of gestation; meanwhile, an increase of both isoforms was observed in the oviduct. Similar PR-A expression was observed in the ampulla and isthmus; meanwhile, the PR-B expression in the isthmus was double that in the ampulla.