Evaluation of reproductive traits and ovarian and uterine morphology of sows with different genotypes for the estrogen receptor, prolactin receptor, and follicle-stimulating hormone subunit beta genes

The purpose of this study was to analyze the morpho-functional features of the ovaries and uterus of sows with different genotypes for the estrogen receptor (ESR), prolactin receptor (PRLR), and follicle-stimulating hormone subunit beta (FSHb) genes associated with reproductive traits. Healthy Large White sows were studied. The genotypic status of the ESR, PRLR, and FSH beta genes was detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The structure of the ovaries and uterus was studied using quantitative assessment of organs and histological research. Sows with the ESRBB genotype significantly exceeded animals with the ESRAA genotype in milk yield (by 0.3 kg) and in the number of piglets at birth (by 0.9 animals) and at weaning (by 0.7 animals). Sows with the ESRAB genotype were midway between those with ESRBB and ESRAA genotypes in terms of these reproductive traits. Animals with the PRLRAA genotype significantly exceeded those with the PRLRBB genotype in the number of piglets born (P < 0.05); the differences in litter weight at birth were not significant. Compared to other genotypes, sows with genotypes ESRBB (P < 0.05) and PRLRAA ((AB)) (P, 0.05) had larger uteruses and more yellow bodies, tertiary follicles, and primordial follicles in their ovaries. Animals with the FSH beta(BB) genotype significantly exceeded animals with the FSH beta(AB) genotype in the length of uterus by 21 cm (P < 0.05).