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Loureiro B, Ereno RL, Pupulim AGR, Tramontana MCVB, Tabosa HP, Barros CM, Favoreto MG. Genome-wide association study of Nelore and Angus heifers with low and high ovarian follicle counts. Anim Reprod 2024; 21:e20230110. [PMID: 38384724 PMCID: PMC10878542 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2023-0110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The number of antral follicles is considered an important fertility trait because animals with a high follicle count (HFC) produce more oocytes and embryos per cycle. Identification of these animals by genetic markers such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can accelerate selection of future generations. The aim of this study was to perform a genome wide association study (GWAS) on Nelore and Angus heifers with HFC and low (LFC) antral follicle counts. The groups HFC and LFC for genotyping were formed based on the average of total follicles (≥ 3 mm) counted in each breed consistently ± standard deviation. A total of 72 Nelore heifers (32 HFC and 40 LFC) and 48 Angus heifers (21 HFC and 27 LFC) were selected and the DNA was extracted from blood and hair bulb. Genotyping was done using the Illumina Bovine HD 770K BeadChip. The GWAS analysis showed 181 and 201 SNPs with genotype/phenotype association (P ≤ 0.01) in Nelore and Angus heifers, respectively. Functional enrichment analysis was performed on candidate genes that were associated with SNPs. A total of 97 genes were associated to the 181 SNPs in the Nelore heifers and the functional analysis identified genes (ROBO1 and SLIT3) in the ROBO-SLIT pathway that can be involved in the control of germ cell migration in the ovary as it is involved in lutheal cell migration and fetal ovary development. In the Angus heifers, 57 genes were associated with the 201 SNPs, highlighting Fribilin 1 (FBN1) gene, involved in regulation of growth factors directly involved in follicle activation and development. In summary, GWAS for Nelore and Angus heifers showed SNPs associated with higher follicle count phenotype. Furthermore, these findings offer valuable insights for the further investigation of potential mechanism involved in follicle formation and development, important for breeding programs for both breeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Loureiro
- Laboratório de Fisiologia da Reprodução Animal, Universidade Vila Velha - UVV, Vila Velha, ES, Brasil
| | - Ronaldo Luiz Ereno
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brasil
| | | | | | - Henrique Passos Tabosa
- Laboratório de Fisiologia da Reprodução Animal, Universidade Vila Velha - UVV, Vila Velha, ES, Brasil
| | - Ciro Moraes Barros
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brasil
| | - Maurício Gomes Favoreto
- Laboratório de Fisiologia da Reprodução Animal, Universidade Vila Velha - UVV, Vila Velha, ES, Brasil
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brasil
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Fabbri G, Molinaro L, Mucci N, Pagani L, Scandura M. Anthropogenic hybridization and its influence on the adaptive potential of the Sardinian wild boar (Sus scrofa meridionalis). J Appl Genet 2023; 64:521-530. [PMID: 37369962 PMCID: PMC10457222 DOI: 10.1007/s13353-023-00763-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
The wild boar (Sus scrofa meridionalis) arrived in Sardinia with the first human settlers in the early Neolithic with the potential to hybridize with the domestic pig (S. s. domesticus) throughout its evolution on the island. In this paper, we investigated the possible microevolutionary effects of such introgressive hybridization on the present wild boar population, comparing Sardinian wild specimens with several commercial pig breeds and Sardinian local pigs, along with a putatively unadmixed wild boar population from Central Italy, all genotyped with a medium density SNP chip. We first aimed at identifying hybrids in the population using different approaches, then examined genomic regions enriched for domestic alleles in the hybrid group, and finally we applied two methods to find regions under positive selection to possibly highlight instances of domestic adaptive introgression into a wild population. We found three hybrids within the Sardinian sample (3.1% out of the whole dataset). We reported 11 significant windows under positive selection with a method that looks for overly differentiated loci in the target population, compared with other two populations. We also identified 82 genomic regions with signs of selection in the domestic pig but not in the wild boar, two of which overlapped with genomic regions enriched for domestic alleles in the hybrid pool. Genes in these regions can be linked with reproductive success. Given our results, domestic introgression does not seem to be pervasive in the Sardinian wild boar. Nevertheless, we suggest monitoring the possible spread of advantageous domestic alleles in the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Fabbri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2A, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Ludovica Molinaro
- Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Estonian Biocentre, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Riia 23b, 51010, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Nadia Mucci
- Unit for Conservation Genetics (BIO-CGE), Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Pagani
- Estonian Biocentre, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Riia 23b, 51010, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131, Padua, Italy
| | - Massimo Scandura
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2A, 07100, Sassari, Italy
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Alvarez RH, Duarte KMR, Carvalho JBP, Rocha CC, Junior GAA, Trevisol E, Melo AJF, Pugliesi G. Ovarian morphology and follicular dynamics associated with ovarian aging in Bos indicus beef cows. Anim Reprod Sci 2023:107279. [PMID: 37353462 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2023.107279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
This study characterizes the ovarian volume, antral follicle count (AFC), and ovarian dynamics of cows at different ages. Nellore cows (Bos taurus indicus) were used in two experiments. In Experiment 1, 57 lactating cows ranging in age from 3 to 23 years had their estrous cycle synchronized based on progesterone/estradiol treatments. The ovaries were scanned by ultrasound to record ovarian volume and AFC prior to follicle aspiration (AFC1). A second AFC (AFC2) was performed 5 days later to count only the growing antral follicles. In Experiment 2, six long-lived (14- to 23-year-old) and three young (4- to 8-year-old) non-lactating cows were submitted to daily ovarian scanning ultrasound during an interovulatory interval. Blood samples were collected during the estrous cycle to assess serum progesterone concentration. Data were analyzed using Student's t-test, ANOVA, and regression analysis tests. In Experiment 1, there were more (P < 0.05) antral follicles in AFC1 (31.4 ± 3.5) than in AFC2 (22.6 ± 2.4). In AFC1, the volume of the right ovary (6.03 ± 0.5 cm3) was greater (P < 0.01) than that of the left one (4.53 ± 0.4 cm3), although the AFC did not differ between the two ovaries (15.3 ± 1.8 and 16.3 ± 1.8, respectively). In both AFC1 and AFC2, there was a decline in the number of antral follicles as the age of the cow increased (P < 0.01). Ovarian volume (average of both ovaries) was related (P < 0.01) with AFC (R² = 0.1499) and cow age (R² = 0.0911). In Experiment 2, young and old cows under the age of 20 had a pattern of follicular growth waves, while cows over 20 years old did not have waves of follicular growth. The progesterone profiles and corpus luteum size during the estrous cycle did not differ between the groups. In conclusion, although cows had increased ovarian volume and decreased follicular population as they age, the follicular growth pattern and corpus luteum functionality appear to be unaffected by age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael H Alvarez
- Agency for Agribusiness Technology of São Paulo (APTA/SAA), Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
| | - Keila M R Duarte
- Agency for Agribusiness Technology of São Paulo (APTA/SAA), Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - João B P Carvalho
- Agency for Agribusiness Technology of São Paulo (APTA/SAA), Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Cecília C Rocha
- Animal Reproduction Department/FMVZ/USP, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Alfredo J F Melo
- Agency for Agribusiness Technology of São Paulo (APTA/SAA), Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
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Azari-Dolatabad N, Benedetti C, Velez DA, Montoro AF, Sadeghi H, Residiwati G, Leroy JLMR, Van Soom A, Pascottini OB. Oocyte developmental capacity is influenced by intrinsic ovarian factors in a bovine model for individual embryo production. Anim Reprod Sci 2023; 249:107185. [PMID: 36610102 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2022.107185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The ovary and its hormones may have major effects on the in vitro developmental capacity of the oocytes it contains. We related intrinsic ovarian factors namely the presence of corpus luteum (CL) and/or dominant follicle (>8 mm) and the follicular count to cumulus expansion (CE), embryo development, and blastocyst quality in a bovine model. Cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COCs) were aspirated from follicles between 4 and 8 mm in diameter. In vitro embryo production was performed in a fully individual production system. The follicular fluid from which COCs were collected was pooled (per ovary) to evaluate the estrogen, progesterone, and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations. Cumulus oocyte complexes collected from ovaries without a CL presented a greater CE than COCs derived from ovaries bearing CL. The absence of ovarian structures increased the blastocyst rate when compared to oocytes derived from ovaries with a CL, a dominant follicle, or both. Blastocysts derived from ovaries without a dominant follicle presented higher total cell numbers and a lower proportion of apoptosis than blastocysts derived from ovaries containing a dominant follicle. Cumulus oocyte complexes collected from ovaries with high follicular count resulted in higher cleavage than from ovaries with low follicular count, but the blastocyst rate was similar between groups. Ovaries bearing a CL had greater progesterone and IGF-1 follicular fluid concentrations in neighboring follicles than ovaries without a CL. Selection for bovine ovaries without CL or dominant follicle can have positive effects on CE, embryo development, and blastocyst quality in an individual embryo production system set-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nima Azari-Dolatabad
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium; Department of Veterinary Sciences, Gamete Research Center, Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Camilla Benedetti
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Daniel Angel Velez
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium; Research Group in Animal Sciences - INCA-CES, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Universidad CES, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Andrea Fernandez Montoro
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Hafez Sadeghi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Gretania Residiwati
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Jo L M R Leroy
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Gamete Research Center, Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Ann Van Soom
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Osvaldo Bogado Pascottini
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium; Department of Veterinary Sciences, Gamete Research Center, Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
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Snider AP, Yake HK, Granger CD, Rosasco SL, McDaneld TG, Snelling WM, Chase CC, Miles JR, Lents CA, Quail LK, Rich JJ, Epperson KM, Crouse MS, Summers AF, Perry GA, Bennett GL, Cushman RA. Polymorphism of the follicle stimulating hormone receptor does not impact reproductive performance or in-vitro embryo production in beef heifers. Theriogenology 2023; 195:131-137. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Antral follicular count and its relationship with ovarian volume, preantral follicle population and survival, oocyte meiotic progression and ultrastructure of in vitro matured bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes. ZYGOTE 2020; 28:495-503. [PMID: 32811580 DOI: 10.1017/s0967199420000386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between antral follicular count (AFC) and ovarian volume (OV), preantral follicular population and survival, meiotic progression and ultrastructure of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) after in vitro maturation. In experiment 1, the relationship between AFC and preantral follicle population and survival was evaluated by classical histology. In experiment 2, the relationship among AFC, OV, ability of oocytes to resume meiosis and ultrastructure of in vitro matured bovine COCs was studied. A positive correlation (P < 0.05) between AFC and the numbers of healthy primordial, degenerate and total follicles was observed, as well as with healthy secondary follicles and total follicles. The numbers of grades I and II oocytes in ovaries of high AFC class were higher compared with those with intermediate or lower AFC. After in vitro maturation, COCs from ovaries of high AFC had a higher percentage of oocytes in metaphase II compared with those of intermediate and low AFC (P < 0.0001). Ovaries of intermediate AFC had a higher percentage of oocytes in metaphase II compared with ovaries with low AFC (P < 0.0001). The proportion of oocytes in metaphase I, telophase I and anaphase I in COCs from ovaries of intermediate AFC (26.04%) was higher (P < 0.05) compared with that seen in COCs of ovaries with high (8.55%) and low (14.15%) AFC. No differences in the ultrastructure of oocytes were seen. In conclusion, after in vitro maturation, cow ovaries with high AFC have higher numbers of oocytes that reach in metaphase II (MII), but they also have higher numbers of degenerated primordial and primary follicles.
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Cushman RA, Soares ÉM, Yake HK, Patterson AL, Rosasco SL, Beard JK, Northrop EJ, Rich JJJ, Miles JR, Chase CC, Gonda MG, Perry GA, McNeel AK, Summers AF. Brangus cows have ovarian reserve parameters more like Brahman than Angus cows. Anim Reprod Sci 2019; 209:106170. [PMID: 31514925 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2019.106170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Bos indicus females have more surface antral follicles than Bos taurus females; however, histological studies demonstrated no difference in total number of primordial follicles between these two biological types of cattle. Primordial follicle density in the ovary was less in Nelore ovaries compared to Angus ovaries, but no studies have examined the primordial follicle density in Bos indicus cross-bred females. It, therefore, was hypothesized that primordial follicle density in the ovary would decrease as percentage Bos indicus increased. Ovaries were collected from cross-bred Angus (n = 32, no Bos indicus influence), Brangus (n = 15), or Brahman (n = 9) cows and prepared for histological evaluation. There was no difference in total number of primordial follicles per ovary between breeds (P > 0.10). When numbers of primordial follicles were expressed on a per gram of ovarian tissue basis, there were fewer primordial follicles per gram of ovarian tissue in Brangus and Brahman cows than in Angus cows (P < 0.05). Brangus cows did not differ from Brahman cows in primordial follicle density (P > 0.10). Differences in primordial follicle density could indicate differences in capacity of ovarian stroma to produce factors necessary for oogonial proliferation and primordial follicle formation among breeds. Identifying these factors could improve the aprroach for culturing pre-antral follicles of cattle. Furthermore, these results explain why ultrasonographic antral follicle counts may need to be adjusted to a greater threshold to predict size of the ovarian reserve and determine ovarian reserve related reproductive traits in Bos indicus females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Cushman
- USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE, USA.
| | - Émerson M Soares
- Federal University of Santa Maria, Animal Science Department, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Hannah K Yake
- University of Tennessee, Animal Science Department, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | | | - Shelby L Rosasco
- New Mexico State University, Department of Animal and Range Sciences, Las Cruces, NM, USA
| | - Joslyn K Beard
- New Mexico State University, Department of Animal and Range Sciences, Las Cruces, NM, USA
| | - Emmalee J Northrop
- South Dakota State University, Department of Animal Science, Brookings, SD, USA
| | - Jerica J J Rich
- South Dakota State University, Department of Animal Science, Brookings, SD, USA
| | - Jeremy R Miles
- USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE, USA
| | - Chadwick C Chase
- USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE, USA
| | - Michael G Gonda
- South Dakota State University, Department of Animal Science, Brookings, SD, USA
| | - George A Perry
- South Dakota State University, Department of Animal Science, Brookings, SD, USA
| | - Anthony K McNeel
- USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE, USA
| | - Adam F Summers
- New Mexico State University, Department of Animal and Range Sciences, Las Cruces, NM, USA.
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