[Diagnostic value and application of 24 h multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring in children with gastroesophageal reflux disease].

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value and application of 24 h multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (24 h MII-pH) monitoring in children with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. From January 2013 to December, 2020, 417 patients who received 24 h MII-pH monitoring in Department of Gastroenterology of Children's Hospital Capital Institute of Pediatrics were included. According to results, these children were divided into the GERD and non-GERD groups. Furthermore, the 132 children with GERD who had gastroscopy were divided into the reflux esophagitis (RE) and non-erosive reflux disease (NE) groups to investigate the differences in their refluxes. Non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test or indepentent sample t test was used for comparisons between the groups. Results: Among the 417 children, 232 were males and 185 females, aged (7.3±3.9) years. The course of disease was 0.5 (0.1, 2.0) years. The main clinical symptoms included acid reflux (128 cases), vomiting (173 cases), abdominal pain (101 cases), and cough (76 cases). The 24 h MII-pH monitoring were positive in 243 children (58.3%, 243/417), which was higher than that by 24 h esophageal pH monitoring (43.6%, 182/417). The 24 h MII-pH monitoring results demonstrated significant differences in the episodes of acid reflux, weakly acidic reflux, non-acidic reflux, liquid reflux and mixed reflux between GERD and non-GERD groups (10 (4, 19) vs. 4 (1, 9) times/24 h, 14 (6, 32) vs. 7 (3, 13) times/24 h, 0 (0, 0) vs. 0 (0, 0) times/24 h, 19 (10, 34) vs. 8 (3, 14) times/24 h, and 6 (2, 12) vs. 3 (1, 5) times/24 h, Z=-6.96, -7.25, -5.62, -8.75, and -6.48, all P<0.05, respectively). Besides, the results also showed significant differences in Boix-Ochoa score, episodes of long reflux, course of long reflux, and episodes of weakly acidic reflux between the RE and NE groups (51.2 (21.4, 153.2) vs. 20.7 (12.1, 34.7), 5 (2, 10) vs. 1 (0, 4) times/24 h, 19 (7, 87) vs. 8 (3, 22) min, and 5 (2, 15) vs. 15 (6, 33) times/24 h, Z=-3.44, -3.41, -2.65, and -2.27, all P<0.05, respectively). Conclusion: 24 h MII-pH monitoring not only improves the detection rate of GERD in children, but also provides a possibility to early etiological diagnosis.

Measurement of the Cosmic Ray Helium Energy Spectrum from 70 GeV to 80 TeV with the DAMPE Space Mission.

The measurement of the energy spectrum of cosmic ray helium nuclei from 70 GeV to 80 TeV using 4.5 years of data recorded by the Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) is reported in this work. A hardening of the spectrum is observed at an energy of about 1.3 TeV, similar to previous observations. In addition, a spectral softening at about 34 TeV is revealed for the first time with large statistics and well controlled systematic uncertainties, with an overall significance of 4.3σ. The DAMPE spectral measurements of both cosmic protons and helium nuclei suggest a particle charge dependent softening energy, although with current uncertainties a dependence on the number of nucleons cannot be ruled out.

[Role of Bruton's tyrosine kinase in endotoxin/lipopolysaccharide-induced pyroptosis of intestinal cells in scalded mice].

Objective: To investigate the role of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) in pyroptosis of intestinal cells caused by endotoxin/lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in scalded mice. Methods: The experimental research method was applied. One hundred and twenty-eight male C57BL/6 mice aged 6-8 weeks were divided into sham injury group, scald alone group, scald+LPS group, scald+LPS+3 mg/kg LFM-A13 group, scald+LPS+10 mg/kg LFM-A13 group, and scald+LPS+30 mg/kg LFM-A13 group. There were 8 mice in sham injury group, and there were 24 mice in the other 5 groups, respectively. Mice in 5 scald groups were inflicted with 10% total body surface area full-thickness scald on the back, and mice in sham injury group were sham injured on the back. At post injury hour (PIH) 0 (immediately), mice in sham injury group and scald alone group were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline, mice in scald+LPS group were intraperitoneally injected with LPS, and mice in scald+LPS+3 mg/kg LFM-A13 group, scald+LPS+10 mg/kg LFM-A13 group, and scald+LPS+30 mg/kg LFM-A13 group were intraperitoneally injected with LPS and LFM-A13 in corresponding doses. Mice in sham injury group were sacrificed at PIH 0 to collect serum and intestinal tissue, and 8 mice in each group of 5 scald groups were sacrificed at PIH 0, 12, and 24 to collect intestinal tissue and serum at PIH 12. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect phosphorylation of BTK in intestinal tissue of mice. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of phosphorylated BTK (p-BTK), cleaved cysteine aspartic acid specific protease 1 (caspase-1), and cleaved caspase-11 in intestinal tissue of mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method was used to detect interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) in serum and intestinal tissue of mice. Data were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance and least significant difference test. Results: There was no obvious phosphorylation of BTK in intestinal tissue of mice in 6 groups at PIH 0 and scald alone group at PIH 12 and 24. Phosphorylation of BTK in intestinal tissue of mice in scald+LPS group at PIH 12 and 24 were obviously increased compared with those in scald alone group. Phosphorylation of BTK in intestinal tissue of mice in scald+LPS+3 mg/kg LFM-A13 group, scald+LPS+10 mg/kg LFM-A13 group, and scald+LPS+30 mg/kg LFM-A13 group were obviously decreased compared with those in scald+LPS group, and the degrees of decline gradually increased with increase of dose in LFM-A13. Compared with (0.130±0.010) of sham injury group and (0.120±0.040 and 0.110±0.040) of scald alone group, protein expressions of p-BTK in intestinal tissue of mice in scald+LPS group at PIH 12 and 24 were obviously increased (0.470±0.090 and 0.430±0.080, P<0.01). Compared with those in scald+LPS group, protein expressions of p-BTK in intestinal tissue of mice in scald+LPS+3 mg/kg LFM-A13 group at PIH 24, and scald+LPS+10 mg/kg LFM-A13 group and scald+LPS+30 mg/kg LFM-A13 group at PIH 12 and 24 were obviously decreased (0.280±0.060, 0.300±0.120, 0.150±0.050, 0.280±0.090, 0.140±0.040, P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with those in scald+LPS+3 mg/kg LFM-A13 group, protein expressions of p-BTK in intestinal tissue of mice in scald+LPS+10 mg/kg LFM-A13 group and scald+LPS+30 mg/kg LFM-A13 group at PIH 24 were obviously decreased (P<0.01). Compared with those in sham injury group and scald alone group, protein expressions of cleaved caspase-1 and caspase-11 in intestinal tissue of mice in scald+LPS group were obviously increased at PIH 12 and 24 (P<0.01). Compared with those in scald+LPS group, protein expressions of cleaved caspase-1 at PIH 12 and cleaved caspase-11 at PIH 12 and 24 in intestinal tissue of mice in scald+LPS+3 mg/kg LFM-A13 group and protein expressions of cleaved caspase-1 and caspase-11 in intestinal tissue of mice in scald+LPS+10 mg/kg LFM-A13 group and scald+LPS+30 mg/kg LFM-A13 group at PIH 12 and 24 were obviously decreased (P<0.01). Compared with those in scald+LPS+3 mg/kg LFM-A13 group, protein expressions of cleaved caspase-1 and caspase-11 in intestinal tissue of mice in scald+LPS+10 mg/kg LFM-A13 group and scald+LPS+30 mg/kg LFM-A13 group at PIH 12 and 24 were obviously decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). At PIH 12, content of IL-1ß in intestinal tissue and serum of mice in scald+LPS group were obviously higher than those in sham injury group and scald alone group (P<0.01), and content of IL-1ß in intestinal tissue and serum of mice in scald+LPS+30 mg/kg LFM-A13 group were obviously lower than those in scald+LPS group (P<0.01). Conclusions: Phosphorylation of BTK is related to increases of cleaved caspase-1 and caspase-11 in intestinal tissue, and IL-1ß content in intestinal tissue and serum of scalded septic mice caused by LPS. Phosphorylation of BTK mediates intestinal cell pyroptosis of scalded mice caused by LPS. Inhibiting phosphorylation of BTK can alleviate intestinal cell pyroptosis of scalded mice, with protective effect on intestinal injury intestine.

[Analysis of clinical characteristics and drug treatment of inflammatory bowel disease in children: a single center study].

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and efficacy of drug treatment in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) at different ages of onset. Methods: The clinical data of 87 children with IBD admitted to Department of Gastroenterology in Children's Hospital, Capital Institute of Pediatrics from January 2009 to December 2018 were collected. The patients were divided into four groups according to the age of onset: 0 -<2 years old group (36 cases), 2 -<6 years old group (10 cases), 6 -<10 years old group (12 cases) and 10 -<18 years old group (29 cases). The clinical manifestations, laboratory examination, endoscopic findings, pathologic and genetic changes, and treatment were compared among different age groups with chi-square test or Fisher's exact text. Results: (1) A total of 87 patients were diagnosed with IBD, including 50 Crohn's disease (CD) (57%), 25 ulcerative colitis (UC) (29%) and 12 unclassified inflammatory bowel disease (IBD-U) (14%). (2) Patients with fever accounted for 78% (28/36) and 8/10 in the 0 -<2 years old group and 2 -<6 years old group, respectively. Patients with abdominal pain and perianal diseases accounted for 6% (2/36) and 47% (17/36) in the 0 -<2 years old group, and their proportions were significantly different among the four groups (χ(2)=8.369, 40.317 and 13.130, all P<0.05). (3) Leukocytosis, thrombocytosis and anemia were more common in the 0-<2 years old group, seen in 72% (26/36), 31% (11/36) and 81% (29/36), respectively. There were significant differences in the changes of complete blood count among the four groups (χ(2)=21.919, 8.095 and 11.520, all P<0.05). (4) Colonic involvement accounted for 85% (17/20) in the 0 -<2 years old CD patients. While in the CD patients over 6 years old, 61% (14/23) had inflammation of ileum and colon, with a significant difference compared to that in patients under 6 years old (19% (5/27) , χ(2)=9.455, P=0.003). Also, the location of bowel inflammation among the four groups were significantly different (χ(2)=21.120, P<0.01). (5) Noncaseating granulomas were found in 15 (30%) CD patients, and crypt abscess was found in 11 (44%) UC patients. (6) Among the 24 patients whose genes were analyzed by high throughput sequencing, 12 had pathogenic single gene mutation. (7) There were 25 patients treated with total enteral nutrition. Among the 25 patients treated with thalidomide, 20 (80%) had clinical remission or partial remission. Among the 19 CD patients treated with infliximab (IFX), 14 had clinical remission at the 6(th) week of treatment, and the proportion of remission maintenance at the 30(th) week of treatment was 12/14. (8) The rate of clinical remission or partial remission was 64% (23/36) in the 0 -<2 years old group, 8/10 in the 2 -<6 years old group, 11/12 in the 6 -<10 years old group, and 83% (24/29) in the 10 -<18 years old group. Conclusions: The proportion of CD was higher than that of UC in this study. Infant onset inflammatory bowel disease was more likely to present with perianal lesions, and was usually associated with leukocytosis, thrombocytosis and anemia, and has high possibility of single gene mutation. IFX may be effective in treating CD.

Measurement of the cosmic ray proton spectrum from 40 GeV to 100 TeV with the DAMPE satellite.

The precise measurement of the spectrum of protons, the most abundant component of the cosmic radiation, is necessary to understand the source and acceleration of cosmic rays in the Milky Way. This work reports the measurement of the cosmic ray proton fluxes with kinetic energies from 40 GeV to 100 TeV, with 2 1/2 years of data recorded by the DArk Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE). This is the first time that an experiment directly measures the cosmic ray protons up to ~100 TeV with high statistics. The measured spectrum confirms the spectral hardening at ~300 GeV found by previous experiments and reveals a softening at ~13.6 TeV, with the spectral index changing from ~2.60 to ~2.85. Our result suggests the existence of a new spectral feature of cosmic rays at energies lower than the so-called knee and sheds new light on the origin of Galactic cosmic rays.

[Clinical and genotypic characteristics of infantile inflammatory bowel disease].

Objective: To analyze the clinical and genotypic characteristics of infantile inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: The age of onset, family history, clinical manifestations, and treatment effect were retrospectively analyzed in 39 infants (male 23 cases, female 16 cases) with IBD who were admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology in Children's Hospital, Capital Institute of Pediatrics from January 2007 to December 2017. Next generation sequencing (NGS) based on target gene panel was used for gene analysis in 17 patients. Results: The median age of onset was 0.5 (0.5, 1.0) month. The most common clinical symptoms included diarrhea (39, 100%), malnutrition (38, 97%), hematochezia (34, 87%), fever (25, 64%), and perianal diseases (24, 61%). Four children had associated family history. Among the 17 patients whose gene was analyzed, 10 were found to have the pathogenic gene variation, within whom 7 had interleukin-10 receptor α subunit (IL-10RA) mutation, 2 had CYBB heterozygous mutation, 1 had interleukin-10 receptor ß subunit (IL-10RB) mutation. The therapeutic medicine included mesalazine, steroids, and thalidomide. Eighteen children (46%) reached clinical remission (10 cases) or partial remission (8 cases). Conclusions: The incidence of single gene mutation in infants with IBD is high, with IL-10RA mutation as the most common. Refractory diarrhea and malnutrition may indicate infantile IBD.

[Interleukin-10 receptor gene mutations induced very early onset inflammatory bowel disease in 6 infants].

Objective: To analyze the clinical features and interleukin-10 receptor gene mutations in six infants with very early onset inflammatory bowel disease (VEO-IBD). Methods: Four girls and two boys with VEO-IBD admitted to Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Institute of Pediatrics from June 2016 to September 2017 were reviewed. The clinical data including general condition, clinical symptoms, laboratory tests, and colonoscopy and pathological results were collected and analyzed. Interleukin-10 receptor α subunit (IL-10RA) gene was examined in all patients. Results: Persistent diarrhea and fever were the most common symptoms and were found within 1 month after birth in all 6 patients. Anemia, oral ulcer or perianal lesions and growth retardation were common concomitant symptoms. All patients had colonoscopy examination and the results showed multiple ulcers affecting the colon with biopsies revealing acute and chronic inflammation. Three patients were found to have cryptitis and crypt abscesses. Gene sequencing revealed IL-10RA gene mutations in all six patients, including 3 cases with homozygous mutations (one with c.537G>A and two with c.301C>T) and 3 heterozygous mutations (paternal c.301C>T in all cases; maternal c.299T>G, c.350G>A and c.537G>A, respectively) . After conventional treatment, one got clinical and pathological improvement according to colonoscopy, three improved clinically, one worsened and died, and one died of septic shock secondary to intestinal perforation. Conclusions: VEO-IBD is associated with IL-10RA mutation, usually with severe intestinal symptoms and significant extra-intestinal symptoms, as well as varied responses to conventional treatment. In our study, c.301C>T and c.537G>A are the most common mutations.

Insulin receptor binding motif tagged with IgG4 Fc (Yiminsu) works as an insulin sensitizer to activate Akt signaling in hepatocytes.

Insulin resistance is a key feature of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Interaction of insulin with the insulin receptor (IR) leads to both its auto-phosphorylation and phosphorylation of tyrosine residues on the IR substrate (IRS) proteins, initiating the activation of intracellular signaling cascades. The metabolic effects of IRS are known to be mediated through pathways involving phosphatidyl-inositol 3-kinase (PI-3K), which result in the activation of Akt signaling. The C-terminal region of the IR ectodomain is required to facilitate the conformational changes that are required for high-affinity binding to insulin. Furthermore, the CH2 and CH3 domains in the Fc fragments of immunoglobulins are responsible for their binding to the Fc receptor, which triggers transcytosis. In this study, we created a fusion peptide of the C-terminal end of the human IR ectodomain with the IgG4 Fc fragment, including an intervening polyG fragment to ensure enough space for insulin binding. We named this new peptide "Yiminsu", meaning an insulin sensitizer. The results of our analyses show that Yiminsu significantly facilitates insulin signaling via the activation of Akt in hepatocytes in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Further studies are required to determine whether Yiminsu can act as an insulin sensitizer.

Expression analysis of differentially expressed miRNAs in male and female chicken embryos.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that play key roles in the regulation of development processes of many tissues and organs at the post-transcriptional level. However, little is known about how they affect chicken gonadal development. We examined the expression of four miRNAs (miR-218, -200b, -196, and -206) in chicken embryonic gonads at embryonic days 3.5-6.5. Their target genes were predicted by miRDB, TargetScan and PicTar algorithms. The expression levels of these four miRNAs differed with sex to varying degrees; miR-200b was expressed at a significantly higher level in female gonads during the entire interval. The whole mount in situ hybridization result showed considerably higher expression of miR-200b in females than in males in E5.5 embryos. The miRNA target scanning results indicated several genes with functions in gonad development and gonad function. We conclude that miR-200b is involved in the regulation of gonad development and sexual differentiation of chicken embryos.

Effects of polymorphisms and haplotypes within the MSTN gene on duck growth trait.

Abstract 1. Polymorphisms of the duck MSTN gene were investigated in 413 individuals by DNA sequencing and polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (G129A, C324T, A981G and C1002A), with A981G and C1002A completely linked, were found in the coding region. 2. Association analysis showed that different genotypes of all the identified SNPs were significantly associated with duck growth rate from week 5, 6 and 2 for G129A, C324T and A981G (C1002A), respectively. The greatest difference in body weight was 180 g at week 9, 106 g at week 8 and 123 g at week 8, respectively, for the three SNP's. 3. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis indicated that C324T, A981G and C1002A were in strong LD. Nine main diplotypes from the reconstructed five main haplotypes were observed, and different diplotypes were significantly associated with growth rate from week 1. Birds with the h1h1 diplotype exhibited the largest body weight from week 1 onwards. 4. It was concluded that the duck MSTN gene was associated with body weight and is an important candidate gene for duck growth. traits and marker-assisted selection.

Molecular cloning, expression and association study with reproductive traits of the duck LRP8 gene.

1. Two splice variants of duck LRP8 were identified, one containing 8 ligand-binding repeats (LRP8-1) and the other containing only 7 repeats (LRP8-2). The two transcripts share ~71-91% nucleic acid identity and ~65-94% amino acid identity with their counterparts in other species. A phylogenetic tree based on amino acid sequences shows that duck LRP8 proteins are closely related to those of chicken, turkey and zebra finch. 2. The semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR )analysis indicates that the two transcripts are expressed in all the examined tissues, and the LRP8-1 transcript is more highly expressed in hypothalamus, ovary and pituitary gland than in other detected tissues. 3. Six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in the coding region. Association analysis demonstrated that the c.528C > T genotypes were associated with egg production (EP) (EP210d, EP300d and EP360d), age at laying the first egg (AFE) and body weight at sexual maturity (BWSM). The c.1371A > G genotypes were associated with egg production (EP210d, EP300d and EP360d). 4. The haplotypes of c.528C > T and c.1371A > G were associated with EP (EP210d, EP300d and EP360d), yolk weight (YW), albumen weight (AW), egg weight (EW), BWSM and the first egg weight (FEW). 5. Duck LRP8 gene was associated with some reproductive traits and is an important candidate gene for the genetic selection of improved reproductive traits.

Temporospatial expression of Dmrt1 in chicken urogenital system (Gallus gallus) using whole mount in situ hybridization.

Doublesex and mab-3-related transcription factor 1 (Dmrt1) is a Z-linked gene that putatively determines the phenotype of gonads in birds. The sex differential expression of Dmrt1 was examined using wholemount in situ hybridization (WISH) in the urogenital systems during embryogenesis. The results revealed that Dmrt1 showed dimorphic expression in chicken gonads, which increased from day 6.5 to day 10.5. The expression of Dmrt1 in male (ZZ) gonads was not twice as much as in female (ZW) gonads, suggesting the existence of other regulatory mechanisms in addition to Z chromosome dosage effect.

Different gene transfer methods at the very early, early, late and whole embryonic stages in chicken.

New technologies in gene transfer combined with experimental embryology make the chicken embryo an excellent model system for gene function studies. The techniques of in ovo electroporation, in vitro culture for ex ovo electroporation and retrovirus-mediated gene transfer have already been fully developed in chicken. Yet to our knowledge, there are no definite descriptions on the features and application scopes of these techniques. The survival rates of different in vitro culture methods were compared and the EGFP expression areas of different gene transfer techniques were explored. It was that the optimal timings of removing embryo for EC culture and Petri dish system was at E1.5 and E2.5, respectively; and optimal timing of injecting retrovirus is at E0. Results indicated that the EC culture, in ovo electroporation, the Petri dish system and retrovirus-mediated method are, respectively, suitable for the very early, early, late and whole embryonic stages in chicken. Comparison of different gene transfer methods and establishment of optimal timings are expected to provide a better choice of the efficient method for a particular experiment.

Variation of meat quality traits among five genotypes of chicken.

The main objective of this study was to examine the diversity of meat quality traits among 5 chicken genotypes. The genotypes included 2 Chinese native breeds (Wenchang,WCH, and Xianju), 1 commercial broiler line (Avian, AV), 1 commercial layer line (Hy-Line Brown, HLB), and 1 Chinese commercial broiler line (Lingnanhuang, LNH) synthesized by exotic and native breeds, which were slaughtered at their market ages: 16, 7, 16, and 8 wk, respectively. The effects of genotype, muscle type, and sex on meat quality traits were examined. Birds from slow-growing genotypes (WCH, Xianju, and HLB) exhibited higher shear value, inosine-5'-monophosphate concentration, lower cook loss, and more fat than those from fast-growing genotypes (AV and LNH). Chickens from WCH possessed the lowest expressible moisture, cook loss, and the highest lipid (%) among the 3 slow-growing genotypes. The HLB birds were intermediate in expressible moisture and cook loss and lowest in lipid among all genotypes. The LNH cross birds were similar to AV broilers in most meat quality parameters, although they had a lower shear force value and higher fat content than AV broilers. Breast muscle had higher expressible moisture, shear force, protein (%), inosine-5'-monophosphate content, lower cook loss, and lipid (%) than leg muscle. Muscles from male chickens had higher expressible moisture than those from the females. Variability of meat quality characteristics is mainly related to genotype and muscle type differences.

Identification of mutations of zona pellucida glycoprotein (ZP3) and its association with pig reproductive traits.

Reproduction is a complex trait, controlled by genetic and environmental factors. Genetic improvement of this trait is important for animal breeders to improve the animal's production efficiency. Apart from genetic factors, animal production can be affected by environmental factors, i.e. the nursing ability of the sow, which is in turn affected directly by effective teat number (teats producing milk normally, TN) and number of piglets born alive (NBA). The objective of this study was to find new mutations, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the Zona Pellucida glycoprotein gene (ZP3) using Single Strand Chain Polymorphism (SSCP) and nucleotide sequencing and to investigate association between genetic variations and sow reproductive traits. We identified 13 new SNPs from exon 1, two new SNPs from intron 2, one SNP from intron 6 and a 18 bp (GCACGTGGTCCTCCTGG)-deletion/insertion from intron 2 of the ZP3 gene. Five out of these mutations were selected to genotype in five different breeds (Small Meishan, Qingping, Duroc, Landrace and Large White) and association with reproductive traits in European breeds (Duroc, Landrace and Large White). The sows with genotype AA had more 1.11 piglets NBA than of the sows with genotype AB (p < 0.05) in the 18 bp deletion/insertion of intron 2, while non-significant associations between the other mutations and reproductive traits (NBA and TN) were found.

Association of four new single-nucleotide polymorphisms in follicle-stimulating hormone receptor and zona pellucida glycoprotein with reproductive traits in pigs.

Two new single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (C1166T and G1190A) were discovered in the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) gene and two (G261A and T302C) in the zona pellucida glycoprotein (ZP3) gene. These SNPs were genotyped in three Chinese domestic purebred sow lines (42 Small Meishan, 46 Qingping and 41 Jinhua sows) and three European purebred sow lines (225 Duroc, 195 Large White and 65 Landrace sows) by using SNP chips. Phenotypic data including the functional teat number (i.e. milk-producing teats, TN) and number of piglets born alive per litter (NBA). These traits were tested for association with the genotypes of four SNPs. The association analysis revealed genotype of G261A in the ZP3 gene was significantly (P < 0.01) associated with overall NBA and NBA at later parities (NBA2+) but not with NBA at first parity (NBA1). There was a significant (P < 0.05) difference between sows with genotype GG (14.83 ± 0.18) and AA (14.26 ± 0.09) in TN at position 261 in the ZP3 gene. No significant associations were observed for the SNPs in the FSHR gene with NBA or TN in our populations. The results showed that the new SNPs in the ZP3 gene may be an effective potential marker to be used in conjunction with traditional selection methods.