Expression of plasma prolactin and pituitary prolactin mRNA around the broody cycle in Wan-xi White goose

A systematic evaluation of the dynamic changes of prolactin (PRL) around the whole cycle of broodiness in domestic fowl has not been performed. We started to investigate the overall changing profi le of PRL expression at both protein and mRNA levels from preto post-broodiness in Wan-xi White goose, an indigenous breed in East China. Th e onset of broodiness was recorded, and the plasma PRL concentration and the pituitary PRL mRNA level at 5 stages were measured, in that order, around the fi rst broody cycle. Th e expression level of pituitary PRL mRNA was highly correlated with the plasma PRL level (r = 0.92), and both changed synchronically around the broody cycle. Th ey signifi cantly increased at the onset of broodiness, but rapidly dropped during the early half period of broodiness, until the later half period of broodiness, and post-broodiness as well, where they reached a similar level as that of prebroodiness (the laying period). Th erefore, intervention on PRL could be a useful tool in regulating goose broodiness, as well as potentially for other domestic fowls.