Molecular cloning and functional analysis of the goose FSHβ gene

The objective of this investigation was to clone goose FSHβ-subunit cDNA and to construct a FSH fusion gene to identify the function of FSHβ mRNA during stages of the breeding cycle. The FSHβ gene was obtained by reverse transcription-PCR, and the full-length FSHβ mRNA sequence was amplified by rapid-amplification of cDNA ends. FSHβ mRNA expression was detected in reproductive tissues at different stages (pre-laying, laying period, and broody period). Additionally, the expression of 4 genes known to be involved in reproduction (FSHβ, GnRH, GH, and BMP) were evaluated in COS-7 cells expressing the fusion gene (pVITRO2-FSHαβ-CTP). The results show that the FSHβ gene consists of a 16 base pair (bp) 5'-untranslated region (UTR), 396 bp open reading frame, and alternative 3'-UTRs at 518 bp and 780 bp, respectively. qPCR analyses revealed that FSHβ mRNA is highly transcribed in reproductive tissues, including the pituitary, hypothalamus, ovaries, and oviduct. FSHβ mRNA expression increased and subsequently decreased in the pituitary, ovaries, and oviduct during the reproductive stages. Stable FSH expression was confirmed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays after transfection with the pVITRO2-FSHαβ-CTP plasmid. FSHβ, GnRH, and BMP expression increased significantly 36 h and 48 h after transfection with the fusion gene in COS-7 cells. The results demonstrate that the FSHβ subunit functions in the goose reproductive cycle and provides a theoretical basis for future breeding work.