Abstract: The objective of this study was to clone the sequence of duck type Ⅱ gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR-Ⅱ) gene, and to analyze the association of its expression levels with reproduction trait heterosis. RT-PCR method was used to clone GnRHR-Ⅱ gene fragments, and the expression levels during early laying days and laying fastigium period in Gaoyou duck, Jinding duck and crossed populations were tested by Real-time PCR method. Sequencing and homology analysis showed that the cloned duck GnRHR cDNA was about 500 bp in length, and it belonged to the avian type Ⅱ GnRHR isoforms. It was 96% identical to the cGnRHR-Ⅱ sequence reported in domestic chicken. From the early laying days to laying fastigium period, expression levels of GnRHR-Ⅱ gene in pituitary increased for Jinding duck, Gaoyou duck and crossed populations, with the highest expression levels in Jinding×Gaoyou hybrid group (P<0.01) . The expression levels of GnRHR-Ⅱ gene in hypothalamus also increased for Jinding duck, Gaoyou duck, however, it decreased in two crossed populations. The expression levels of GnRHR-Ⅱ gene in ovary were significantly higher for Jinding duck and two crossed populations than Gaoyou duck (P<0.01), but it decreased during laying fastigium period. Compared to Jinding duck and Gaoyou duck breeds, the two crossed populations had positive heterosis in 42-week production and 42-week egg fertilization percent, and negative heterosis in the first laying age and 42-week fertilized egg hatching rate traits. It suggested that the short-lived higher expression of ovary GnRHR-Ⅱ gene before early laying days be correlated with heterosis of the first laying age and 42-week production traits, and its higher expression levels in pituitary could aid to keep laying fastigium.

Key words: duck; GnRHR-Ⅱ gene; expression analysis; heterosis