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27 A 3,204 bp full-length cDNA of bovine NALP9 was cloned and its genomic organisation was 28 analyzed. The 2,988 bp open reading frame covers 9 exons and encodes a deduced protein of 996 29 amino acids containing Pyrin, Nacht and leucine-rich repeat domains like the human NALP gene 30 family members. Mapping with the WGRH5000 panel and fluorescence in situ hybridisation 31 assigned NALP9 in close vicinity to BM2078 (LOD score 25.71; distance 0.0 cR5,000) on bovine 32 chromosome 18, BTA18q25-q26, within a previously identified QTL region for reproductive 33 traits flanked by the bovine marker BM2078 and TGLA227. BAC contig analysis revealed that 34 NALP9, NALP8 and NALP5 map in this QTL region. Temporospatial expression of these 35 members of the NALP gene family was monitored. Among the adult tissues examined, transcripts 36 of NALP8 and NALP9 were detected exclusively in testis and ovary, whereas transcripts of the 37 NALP5 gene are limited to the ovary. The transcripts of NALP9, NALP8 and NALP5 were 38 detected in oocytes before and after in vitro maturation and with a gradual decline from 2-cell to 39 8-cell stage, suggesting no reactivation at the time of bovine maternal to embryonic transition. 40 Assignment to a QTL region for reproductive traits and preferential expression of NALP9, 41 NALP8, and NALP5 in oocyte, germinal lineage, and gonad cells may suggest their functional 42 relevance to reproduction and possible contribution to phenotypic variation. 43