Characterization of the luteinizing hormone beta (LH-β) subunit gene in the Indian river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

The cDNA sequence of leuteinizing hormone (LH) beta subunit was determined to understand the molecular basis for silent oestrus behavior and poor response to superovulation in buffalo. The LH-β cDNA contains an open reading frame 426 bp long. The deduced sequence of the LH-β is 141 amino acids in length. The amino acid sequences of the Indian river buffalo LH-β subunit showed overall similarity to those of other mammals. The nucleotide sequence variability of LH-β was studied in more than ∼350 Indian buffaloes covering five different breeds. The results of the sequence analysis showed that the buffalo LH-β gene is not highly conserved and non-synonymous mutations are not rare, at least in the samples collected randomly from five different breeds and buffalo populations. A total of seven different variants were obtained. In spite of its crucial role in reproduction, variation of the LH-β gene was found present in this species. The polymorphisms found were unique in the Indian river buffalo population.