| The development of follicle is regulated by many kinds of hormones, which exert stimulating or inhibiting effect through their specific receptors. The expression level of receptor gene mRNA has influence on follicle development and atresia. Therefore, there exists a certain extent correlation between follicle number and the expression level of receptor gene mRNA in ovary. In this study, the ovarian follicle number was counted in 3-week-age Du-Mei(DM) and Large white-PIC(LP) gilts, and the mRNA expression levels of four reproduction related genes were analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR. The correlation of the follicle number with the expression levels of genes, and with the ovary weight were analyzed.The results showed that the follicle number of DM is significantly higher than that of LP gilts(P<0.01). No correlation between ovary weight and follicle number was found in LP gilts. Extremely significant correlation between the follicle number and expression level of ESR and IGF1R mRNA in DM gilts(R=0.648, PO.05; R=0.757, P<0.01, respectively), but the correlations were not significant between the follicle number and expression level of FSHR and IHNBA mRNA. The correlation of the follicle number with the expression level of ESR, FSHR and IGF1R mRNA were significant in LP gilts (R=0.435, P<0.01; R=0.438, P<0.01; R=0.292, P<0.05 respectively), but not with IHNBA mRNA in LP gilts.In conclusion, the higher mRNA expression levels of ESR and FSHR in DM pigs is one of the important causes for their higher follicle number than LP gilts.
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