Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) in Chinese alligator, Alligator sinensis: Molecular characterization, tissue distribution and mRNA expression changes during the female reproductive cycle

• We cloned the complete cDNA of Chinese alligator FSHR (caFSHR) gene.
• The caFSHR exhibits a higher degree of amino acid identity with birds.
• The caFSHR is expressed in both the ovary and several non-gonadal tissues.
• Expression of caFSHR in the ovary reaches a peak during the breeding period.

The follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) plays a central role in vertebrate reproduction, with the actions of FSH mediated by FSH receptors (FSHRs) on the granulosa cells of the ovary. The present study reports the cloning and characterization of FSHR in Chinese alligator, Alligator sinensis (caFSHR), and its tissue distribution and mRNA expression changes during the reproductive cycle. The mature protein of caFSHR displays typical features of the glycoprotein hormone receptor family, but also contains some remarkable differences when compared with other vertebrate FSHRs. The deduced amino acid sequence of the caFSHR shares identity of 85% with Chinese softshell turtle, 84–87% with birds, 77–78% with mammals, 67–73% with amphibians and 51–58% with fishes. Phylogenetic tree analysis of the FSHR amino acid sequence indicated that alligators cluster into the bird branch. Tissue expression analysis showed that caFSHR was not only expressed in the ovary, but also in the stomach, intestine, pancreas liver and oviduct at similar levels, while it was not detectable in heart, thymus or thyroid. Expression of caFSHR in the ovary is high in May (breeding prophase) and peaks in July during the breeding period, where it is maintained at high levels through September (breeding anaphase). Expression decreases significantly in November (hibernating period) and then remains relatively low from January to March (hibernating period). These temporal changes in FSHR expression suggest that it plays an important role in promoting ovarian development during the female reproductive cycle of Chinese alligator.