LHR splicing variants and gene expression in the marmoset monkey

In the marmoset monkey, the LHR type II, lacking exon 10, is the native receptor type. We characterised the LHR splicing pattern in marmoset testes and the adrenals during puberty and in pre- and postpubertal ovaries and quantified mRNA LHR expression in the testis. We detected 11 LHR splicing variants expressed at similar levels and generated by exon skipping and/or usage of cryptic splice sites. No preferred splicing variant during pubertal maturation was observed in both sexes. Testicular and adrenal LHR expression levels did not significantly change with age. However, a significant increase during pubertal maturation for the serum testosterone/LHR ratio indicated that testosterone secretion increases in the presence of constant LHR mRNA expression levels. We conclude that LHR splicing in the marmoset displays a homogenous pattern and that the main function of the LHR is established in the testis, reaching its highest efficiency during pubertal maturation.