Effects of dietary energy levels on ovarian and uterine expression of IGF-1R and EGFR mRNA in prepubertal gilts

Nine prepubertal gilts (JunMu No.1) were randomly allocated to three groups (n =3) and fed with a high level digestive energy (Group H), a low level digestive energy (Group L) and a control group digestive energy (Group M) diet for 14 d, respectively. Free access of water was provided throughout the whole research period. Ovaries and uteruses were collected after 2 weeks energy treatment, and processed for determination of the absolute quantities of insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) and epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) mRNA by using real-time PCR. The ovaries and uteruses expressed significantly amount of IGF-IR and EGFR mRNA in the Group H than in the Group M and Group L(P0.05). And the ovaries in the Group M expressed significantly larger amount of IGF-1R and EGFR mRNA(P0.05) than that in the Group L. The present study demonstrated that high energy intake markedly enhanced the ovarian and uterine expression of IGF-1R and EGFR in prepubertal gilts, whereas, insufficient energy intake markedly inhibited such expressions. The result suggests that IGF-1R and EGFR may be involved in mediating the effects of energy intake on the development of reproductive system in prepubertal gilts.