The expression of the apoptotic gene caspase9 in the reproductive organs of meat sheep was observed and its physiological significance was determined by using immunohistochemistric technology. Caspase9 was only found in the cytoplasm. The majority of positive cells in the ovary were observed in primordial and primary follicles.In the later luteal phase, Caspase9 was positive in granular lutein cells but negative in theca lutein cells;during the luteal phase, Caspase9 was positive in endometrial epithelium and shallow glands of the oviduct, the lymphatic nodule of the cercix uteri, the ciliated cell and secretory cell of the mucous epithelium in ampulla tubae uterinae ,and the epithelium of serous gland of the tubal isthmus; during the follicular phase, no obvious positive expression was found. All results mentioned above indicate that Caspase9 participate in the regulation of apoptosis and immunological tissue of the major reproductive organs of meat sheep. It is important for the stability of reproductive organs in meat sheep.

The aim of this study was to investigate CS1 gene sequences, protein structure, function and its expression in different tissues, so as to predict its association with meat quality traits. Calsarcins (Calcineurinassociated sarcomeric protein,CS)is a family of calciumbinding proteins,CS1 gene is closely related with meat quality in livestock and poultry. Based on the bovine, Mus musculus and Homo sapiens CS1 mRNA sequences, the cDNA of CS1 gene in ovine was amplified successfully by using comparative genomics technology. The results showed that CS1 of ovine was 951 bp in length with an open reading frame (ORF)793 bp in length and encoded 264 amino acids, and there were three conserved domains in amino acids sequences. Bioinformation analysis indicated that its secondary structures mainly were random coil and helical regions, and contained rich hydrophobic regions, certain phosphorylation sites and protein kinase C (PKC) sites. Meanwhile, tissue expression of the CS1 gene in the Semifine wool sheep were analyzed, the results showed that it was expressed in heart and muscle. When the Semifine Wool sheep was at fifteen days old, the expression was the highest in heart, and there was a significant difference between heart and other tissues (P<0.01). Furthermore, the expression of CS1 decreased with the rise of the age and became the highest when the Semifine Wool sheep was at sixty days old in heart. This result could provide scientific basis for improve meat quality traits.