Abstract

To screen the genes controlling the fecundity traits in goats, a DDRT-PCR technique was applied. We found a new EST which highly expressed in Chinese native prolific goat breed, Haimen goats. There exists a difference of EST expression level between the prolific and non-prolific goat breed, indicating EST might associate to fecundity in goats. A full-length cDNA with 2253 base pairs was obtained by the 3’- and 5’-RACE method based on the EST sequence encoding a protein segment of 201 amino acid residues. Tissue specific distribution and sequence analysis implicated the likely involvement of EST in the regulation of the hormones related to fecundity.

Key words: Goat, expressed sequence tag, reproduction.

Abbreviation

Abbreviations: EST, expressed sequence tag; cDNA, complementary DNA;DNase, deoxyribonuclease; RNase, ribonuclease; dNTP, deoxyribonucleoside 5’-triphosphate; RT, reverse transcription; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; RT-PCR,reverse transcriptase- PCR; PAR-2, protease-activated receptor-2; CNS, central nervous systems; Mel(1a), melatonin receptor 1a; Mel(1b), melatonin receptor 1b;EDTA, ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid; G-protein, guanosine nucleotide-binding protein; DD-PCR, differential display- PCR; DDRT-PCR, differential display RT-PCR; RACE, rapid amplification of cDNA ends.