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Montgomery GW. Genetic regulation of ovulation rate and multiple births. Reprod Fertil Dev 2024; 36:RD24083. [PMID: 39222471 DOI: 10.1071/rd24083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovulation rate in many mammalian species is controlled to regulate the numbers of offspring and maximise reproductive success. Pathways that regulate ovulation rate still respond to genetic and environmental factors and show considerable variation within and between species. Genetic segregation, positional cloning, and association studies have discovered numerous mutations and genetic risk factors that contribute to this variation. Notable among the discoveries has been the role of mutations in bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15 ), growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9 ) and bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 1B (BMPR1B ) from the intra-ovarian signalling pathway contributing to the evidence that signalling from the oocyte is the key driver in follicle regulation rather than circulating gonadotrophin concentrations. Multiple variants in different domains of BMP15 and GDF9 result in partial or complete loss of function of the proteins providing insights into their functional roles and differential regulation contributing to species differences in ovulation rate. Early success encouraged many more studies in prolific strains of sheep, cattle and goats providing a valuable catalogue of genetic variants of large effect increasing ovulation rate and litter size. More recently, genetic association studies are beginning to identify genetic risk factors with smaller effects. Most genes implicated are from pathways with defined roles in regulation of the ovarian function. However, some genomic regions suggest regulation by novel genes. Continuing genetic and related functional studies will add further to our understanding of the detailed regulation of ovulation rate and litter size with implications for health and animal production systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W Montgomery
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
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Mbarek H, Gordon SD, Duffy DL, Hubers N, Mortlock S, Beck JJ, Hottenga JJ, Pool R, Dolan CV, Actkins KV, Gerring ZF, Van Dongen J, Ehli EA, Iacono WG, Mcgue M, Chasman DI, Gallagher CS, Schilit SLP, Morton CC, Paré G, Willemsen G, Whiteman DC, Olsen CM, Derom C, Vlietinck R, Gudbjartsson D, Cannon-Albright L, Krapohl E, Plomin R, Magnusson PKE, Pedersen NL, Hysi P, Mangino M, Spector TD, Palviainen T, Milaneschi Y, Penninnx BW, Campos AI, Ong KK, Perry JRB, Lambalk CB, Kaprio J, Ólafsson Í, Duroure K, Revenu C, Rentería ME, Yengo L, Davis L, Derks EM, Medland SE, Stefansson H, Stefansson K, Del Bene F, Reversade B, Montgomery GW, Boomsma DI, Martin NG. Genome-wide association study meta-analysis of dizygotic twinning illuminates genetic regulation of female fecundity. Hum Reprod 2024; 39:240-257. [PMID: 38052102 PMCID: PMC10767824 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Which genetic factors regulate female propensity for giving birth to spontaneous dizygotic (DZ) twins? SUMMARY ANSWER We identified four new loci, GNRH1, FSHR, ZFPM1, and IPO8, in addition to previously identified loci, FSHB and SMAD3. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The propensity to give birth to DZ twins runs in families. Earlier, we reported that FSHB and SMAD3 as associated with DZ twinning and female fertility measures. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis (GWAMA) of mothers of spontaneous dizygotic (DZ) twins (8265 cases, 264 567 controls) and of independent DZ twin offspring (26 252 cases, 417 433 controls). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Over 700 000 mothers of DZ twins, twin individuals and singletons from large cohorts in Australia/New Zealand, Europe, and the USA were carefully screened to exclude twins born after use of ARTs. Genetic association analyses by cohort were followed by meta-analysis, phenome wide association studies (PheWAS), in silico and in vivo annotations, and Zebrafish functional validation. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE This study enlarges the sample size considerably from previous efforts, finding four genome-wide significant loci, including two novel signals and a further two novel genes that are implicated by gene level enrichment analyses. The novel loci, GNRH1 and FSHR, have well-established roles in female reproduction whereas ZFPM1 and IPO8 have not previously been implicated in female fertility. We found significant genetic correlations with multiple aspects of female reproduction and body size as well as evidence for significant selection against DZ twinning during human evolution. The 26 top single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from our GWAMA in European-origin participants weakly predicted the crude twinning rates in 47 non-European populations (r = 0.23 between risk score and population prevalence, s.e. 0.11, 1-tail P = 0.058) indicating that genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are needed in African and Asian populations to explore the causes of their respectively high and low DZ twinning rates. In vivo functional tests in zebrafish for IPO8 validated its essential role in female, but not male, fertility. In most regions, risk SNPs linked to known expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs). Top SNPs were associated with in vivo reproductive hormone levels with the top pathways including hormone ligand binding receptors and the ovulation cycle. LARGE SCALE DATA The full DZT GWAS summary statistics will made available after publication through the GWAS catalog (https://www.ebi.ac.uk/gwas/). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Our study only included European ancestry cohorts. Inclusion of data from Africa (with the highest twining rate) and Asia (with the lowest rate) would illuminate further the biology of twinning and female fertility. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS About one in 40 babies born in the world is a twin and there is much speculation on why twinning runs in families. We hope our results will inform investigations of ovarian response in new and existing ARTs and the causes of female infertility. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) Support for the Netherlands Twin Register came from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) and The Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMW) grants, 904-61-193, 480-04-004, 400-05-717, Addiction-31160008, 911-09-032, Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure (BBMRI.NL, 184.021.007), Royal Netherlands Academy of Science Professor Award (PAH/6635) to DIB, European Research Council (ERC-230374), Rutgers University Cell and DNA Repository (NIMH U24 MH068457-06), the Avera Institute, Sioux Falls, South Dakota (USA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH R01 HD042157-01A1) and the Genetic Association Information Network (GAIN) of the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health and Grand Opportunity grants 1RC2 MH089951. The QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute (QIMR) study was supported by grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia (241944, 339462, 389927, 389875, 389891, 389892, 389938, 443036, 442915, 442981, 496610, 496739, 552485, 552498, 1050208, 1075175). L.Y. is funded by Australian Research Council (Grant number DE200100425). The Minnesota Center for Twin and Family Research (MCTFR) was supported in part by USPHS Grants from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (AA09367 and AA11886) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (DA05147, DA13240, and DA024417). The Women's Genome Health Study (WGHS) was funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (HL043851 and HL080467) and the National Cancer Institute (CA047988 and UM1CA182913), with support for genotyping provided by Amgen. Data collection in the Finnish Twin Registry has been supported by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, the Broad Institute, ENGAGE-European Network for Genetic and Genomic Epidemiology, FP7-HEALTH-F4-2007, grant agreement number 201413, National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (grants AA-12502, AA-00145, AA-09203, AA15416, and K02AA018755) and the Academy of Finland (grants 100499, 205585, 118555, 141054, 264146, 308248, 312073 and 336823 to J. Kaprio). TwinsUK is funded by the Wellcome Trust, Medical Research Council, Versus Arthritis, European Union Horizon 2020, Chronic Disease Research Foundation (CDRF), Zoe Ltd and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network (CRN) and Biomedical Research Centre based at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with King's College London. For NESDA, funding was obtained from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (Geestkracht program grant 10000-1002), the Center for Medical Systems Biology (CSMB, NVVO Genomics), Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure (BBMRI-NL), VU University's Institutes for Health and Care Research (EMGO+) and Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, University Medical Center Groningen, Leiden University Medical Center, National Institutes of Health (NIH, ROI D0042157-01A, MH081802, Grand Opportunity grants 1 RC2 Ml-1089951 and IRC2 MH089995). Part of the genotyping and analyses were funded by the Genetic Association Information Network (GAIN) of the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health. Computing was supported by BiG Grid, the Dutch e-Science Grid, which is financially supported by NWO. Work in the Del Bene lab was supported by the Programme Investissements d'Avenir IHU FOReSIGHT (ANR-18-IAHU-01). C.R. was supported by an EU Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action fellowship (H2020-MSCA-IF-2014 #661527). H.S. and K.S. are employees of deCODE Genetics/Amgen. The other authors declare no competing financial interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamdi Mbarek
- Department of Biological Psychology, Netherlands Twin Register, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Qatar Genome Program, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Scott D Gordon
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - David L Duffy
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Nikki Hubers
- Department of Biological Psychology, Netherlands Twin Register, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sally Mortlock
- Institute of Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jeffrey J Beck
- Avera Institute for Human Genetics, Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - Jouke-Jan Hottenga
- Department of Biological Psychology, Netherlands Twin Register, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - René Pool
- Department of Biological Psychology, Netherlands Twin Register, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Conor V Dolan
- Department of Biological Psychology, Netherlands Twin Register, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ky’Era V Actkins
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | - Jenny Van Dongen
- Department of Biological Psychology, Netherlands Twin Register, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Erik A Ehli
- Avera Institute for Human Genetics, Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - William G Iacono
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Matt Mcgue
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Daniel I Chasman
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Samantha L P Schilit
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cynthia C Morton
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Guillaume Paré
- Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Gonneke Willemsen
- Department of Biological Psychology, Netherlands Twin Register, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Eva Krapohl
- Medical Research Council Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
- Statistical Sciences & Innovation, UCB Biosciences GmbH, Monheim, Germany
| | - Robert Plomin
- Medical Research Council Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Patrik K E Magnusson
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nancy L Pedersen
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pirro Hysi
- Department of Twin Research & Genetic Epidemiology, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Massimo Mangino
- Department of Twin Research & Genetic Epidemiology, King’s College London, London, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Timothy D Spector
- Department of Twin Research & Genetic Epidemiology, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Teemu Palviainen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland FIMM, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Yuri Milaneschi
- Department of Psychiatry, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Brenda W Penninnx
- Department of Psychiatry, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Adrian I Campos
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Institute of Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Ken K Ong
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, UK
| | - John R B Perry
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, UK
| | - Cornelis B Lambalk
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers Location VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jaakko Kaprio
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland FIMM, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ísleifur Ólafsson
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, National University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Karine Duroure
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Céline Revenu
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | | | - Loic Yengo
- Institute of Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Lea Davis
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Eske M Derks
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Sarah E Medland
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | | | | | - Filippo Del Bene
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Bruno Reversade
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Laboratory of Human Genetics & Therapeutics, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
- Smart-Health Initiative, BESE, KAUST, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Grant W Montgomery
- Institute of Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Dorret I Boomsma
- Department of Biological Psychology, Netherlands Twin Register, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Ji X, Cao Z, Hao Q, He M, Cang M, Yu H, Ma Q, Li X, Bao S, Wang J, Tong B. Effects of New Mutations in BMPRIB, GDF9, BMP15, LEPR, and B4GALNT2 Genes on Litter Size in Sheep. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10040258. [PMID: 37104413 PMCID: PMC10141719 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10040258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Prolificacy is a crucial characteristic of livestock, particularly for species such as sheep that have many births. The objectives of this study were as follows: (1) to investigate the genetic diversity of the 13 new and 7 known variants in the BMPRIB, GDF9, BMP15, LEPR, and B4GALNT2 genes in Ujimqin (UM), the F1 population of Dorper × Ujimqin crossbred (DPU), the F1 population of Suffolk × Ujimqin crossbred (SFKU), Sonid sheep (SN), Tan sheep (Tan), Hu sheep (Hu), and Small-tailed Han sheep (STH) sheep breeds/populations; (2) to perform an association analysis of the above 20 variants with litter size in 325 UM, 304 DPU, and 66 SFKU sheep populations; (3) to compare the frequencies of the litter-size-related alleles of these 20 variants among 8 sheep breeds/populations (the above seven sheep breeds + Mongolia sheep breed). With the use of the Sequenom MassARRAY®SNP assay technology, these 20 mutations were genotyped. The association analysis results showed that the c.746A>G (FecB) mutation in BMPR1B was significantly associated with the litter size of UM and DPU, the c.994A>G (FecGA) in GDF9 was significantly associated with the litter size of SFKU, and the c.31_33CTTinsdel (B1) in BMP15 was significantly associated with the litter size of UM. Our findings might provide valuable genetic markers for expanding sheep litter sizes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuewen Ji
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Ziwei Cao
- Xilingol Mengzhiyuan Animal Husbandry Company, Xilingol 026000, China
| | - Qi Hao
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Mei He
- Xilingol Mengzhiyuan Animal Husbandry Company, Xilingol 026000, China
| | - Ming Cang
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Haiquan Yu
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Qing Ma
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Ningxia Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Yinchuan 750001, China
| | - Xihe Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Siqin Bao
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Jianguo Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
- Correspondence: (J.W.); (B.T.)
| | - Bin Tong
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
- Correspondence: (J.W.); (B.T.)
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Naji MM, Jiang Y, Utsunomiya YT, Rosen BD, Sölkner J, Wang C, Jiang L, Zhang Q, Zhang Y, Ding X, Mészáros G. Favored single nucleotide variants identified using whole genome Re-sequencing of Austrian and Chinese cattle breeds. Front Genet 2022; 13:974787. [PMID: 36238155 PMCID: PMC9552183 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.974787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cattle have been essential for the development of human civilization since their first domestication few thousand years ago. Since then, they have spread across vast geographic areas following human activities. Throughout generations, the cattle genome has been shaped with detectable signals induced by various evolutionary processes, such as natural and human selection processes and demographic events. Identifying such signals, called selection signatures, is one of the primary goals of population genetics. Previous studies used various selection signature methods and normalized the outputs score using specific windows, in kbp or based on the number of SNPs, to identify the candidate regions. The recent method of iSAFE claimed for high accuracy in pinpointing the candidate SNPs. In this study, we analyzed whole-genome resequencing (WGS) data of ten individuals from Austrian Fleckvieh (Bos taurus) and fifty individuals from 14 Chinese indigenous breeds (Bos taurus, Bos taurus indicus, and admixed). Individual WGS reads were aligned to the cattle reference genome of ARS. UCD1.2 and subsequently undergone single nucleotide variants (SNVs) calling pipeline using GATK. Using these SNVs, we examined the population structure using principal component and admixture analysis. Then we refined selection signature candidates using the iSAFE program and compared it with the classical iHS approach. Additionally, we run Fst population differentiation from these two cattle groups. We found gradual changes of taurine in north China to admixed and indicine to the south. Based on the population structure and the number of individuals, we grouped samples to Fleckvieh, three Chinese taurines (Kazakh, Mongolian, Yanbian), admixed individuals (CHBI_Med), indicine individuals (CHBI_Low), and a combination of admixed and indicine (CHBI) for performing iSAFE and iHS tests. There were more significant SNVs identified using iSAFE than the iHS for the candidate of positive selection and more detectable signals in taurine than in indicine individuals. However, combining admixed and indicine individuals decreased the iSAFE signals. From both within-population tests, significant SNVs are linked to the olfactory receptors, production, reproduction, and temperament traits in taurine cattle, while heat and parasites tolerance in the admixed individuals. Fst test suggests similar patterns of population differentiation between Fleckvieh and three Chinese taurine breeds against CHBI. Nevertheless, there are genes shared only among the Chinese taurine, such as PAX5, affecting coat color, which might drive the differences between these yellowish coated breeds, and those in the greater Far East region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maulana M. Naji
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Yifan Jiang
- China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuri T. Utsunomiya
- Department of Production and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Araçatuba, Brazil
| | - Benjamin D. Rosen
- Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory, USDA‐ARS, Beltsville, MD, United States
| | - Johann Sölkner
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Li Jiang
- China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Qin Zhang
- China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangdong Ding
- China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Xiangdong Ding, ; Gábor Mészáros,
| | - Gábor Mészáros
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
- *Correspondence: Xiangdong Ding, ; Gábor Mészáros,
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Shen W, Wang L, Ma Y, Cao Y, Zhang X, Han Q, Wu S, Wu G. Association between BMP15 Gene Polymorphisms of Growth Traits and Litter Size in Qinghai Bamei Pigs. RUSS J GENET+ 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s1022795422080075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Integrated Analysis of mRNAs and Long Non-Coding RNAs Expression of Oviduct That Provides Novel Insights into the Prolificacy Mechanism of Goat ( Capra hircus). Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13061031. [PMID: 35741792 PMCID: PMC9222479 DOI: 10.3390/genes13061031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Artificial directional selection has replaced natural selection and resulted in trait differences across breeds in domestic animal breeding. However, the molecular mechanism by which the oviduct regulates litter size remains largely elusive in goats during the follicular phase. Accumulating data have linked lncRNAs to reproductive activities; however, little is known about the modulation mechanism in the oviduct. Herein, RNA-seq was used to measure mRNA and lncRNA expression levels in low- and high-fecundity goats. We observed distinctive differences in mRNA and lncRNA in terms of different kidding numbers and detected the differential expression of 1640 mRNA transcripts and 271 lncRNA transcripts. Enrichment analysis of differentially expressed mRNAs (DEGs) suggested that multiple pathways, such as the AMPK, PI3K–Akt, calcium signaling pathway, oocyte meiosis, ABC transporter, and ECM–receptor interaction pathways, directly or indirectly affected goat reproduction. Additionally, coexpression of differentially expressed lncRNAs (DEL)-genes analysis showed that XLOC_021615, XLOC_119780, and XLOC_076450 were trans-acting as the DEGs ATAD2, DEPDC5, and TRPM6, respectively, and could regulate embryo development. Moreover, XLOC_020079, XLOC_107361, XLOC_169844, XLOC_252348 were the trans-regulated elements of the DEGs ARHGEF2 and RAPGEF6, and the target DEGs CPEB3 of XLOC_089239, XLOC_090063, XLOC_107409, XLOC_153574, XLOC_211271, XLOC_251687 were associated with prolificacy. Collectively, our study has offered a thorough dissection of the oviduct lncRNA and mRNA landscapes in goats. These results could serve as potential targets of the oviduct affecting fertility in goats.
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Lett BM, Kirkpatrick BW. Identifying genetic variants and pathways influencing daughter averages for twinning in North American Holstein cattle and evaluating the potential for genomic selection. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:5972-5984. [PMID: 35525609 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-21238] [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: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Multiple birth in dairy cattle is a detrimental trait both economically for producers and for animal health. Genetics of twinning is complex and has led to several quantitative trait loci regions being associated with increased twinning. To identify variants associated with this trait, calving records from 2 time periods were used to estimate daughter averages for twinning for Holstein bulls. Multiple analyses were conducted and compared including GWAS, genomic prediction, and gene set enrichment analysis for pathway detection. Although pathway analysis did not yield many congruent pathways of interest between data sets, it did indicate two of interest. Both pathways have ties to the strong candidate region on BTA11 from the genome-wide association analysis across data sets. This region does not overlap with previously identified quantitative trait loci regions for twinning or ovulation rate in cattle. The strongest associated SNPs were upstream from 2 candidate genes LHCGR and FSHR, which are involved in folliculogenesis. Genomic prediction showed a moderate correlation accuracy (0.43) when predicting genomic breeding values for bulls with estimates from calving records from 2010 to 2016. Future analysis of the region on BTA11 and the relation of the candidate genes could improve this accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth M Lett
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison 53706
| | - Brian W Kirkpatrick
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison 53706.
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Gao Y, Hao Q, Cang M, Wang J, Yu H, Liu Y, Zhang W, Tong B. Association between novel variants in BMPR1B gene and litter size in Mongolia and Ujimqin sheep breeds. Reprod Domest Anim 2021; 56:1562-1571. [PMID: 34543455 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Prolificacy is an important trait of animals, specifically for sheep. The Bone morphogenetic protein receptor 1B (BMPR1B) is a major gene affecting the litter size of many sheep breeds. The well-known FecB mutation (Q249R) was associated fully with the hyper prolific phenotype of Booroola Merino. However, the identification of variation in all exonic regions of BMPR1B was rare. In this study, we sequenced all exonic regions of BMPR1B gene of Mongolia sheep breed, and ten novel variants were detected by direct sequencing. Among them, the litter size of the Mongolia ewes with the CC genotype was significantly higher (0.34 additional lambs, p < .05) than those with the TT genotype of the g.29346567C>T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). The litter size of the Mongolia ewes with the TT genotype was significantly higher (0.19 additional lambs, p < .05 and .31 additional lambs, p < .01, respectively) than those with the GT and GG genotypes of the c.1470G>T SNP. The silent c.1470G>T mutation is predicted to increase the stability of the mRNA secondary structure through reducing minimum free energy and is predicted to change the mRNA secondary structure of BMPR1B. Our findings may give potentially useful genetic markers for increasing litter size in sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Gao
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Qi Hao
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Ming Cang
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Jianguo Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Haiquan Yu
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Yongbin Liu
- Institute of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Hohhot, China
| | - Wenguang Zhang
- College of Animal Sciences, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Bin Tong
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
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9
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Abied A, Ahbara AM, Berihulay H, Xu L, Islam R, El-Hag FM, Rekik M, Haile A, Han JL, Ma Y, Zhao Q, Mwacharo JM. Genome Divergence and Dynamics in the Thin-Tailed Desert Sheep From Sudan. Front Genet 2021; 12:659507. [PMID: 34349777 PMCID: PMC8327097 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.659507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
With climate change bound to affect food and feed production, emphasis will shift to resilient and adapted indigenous livestock to sustain animal production. However, indigenous livestock comprise several varieties, strains and ecotypes whose genomes are poorly characterized. Here, we investigated genomic variation in an African thin-tailed Desert Sheep sampled in Sudan, using 600K genotype data generated from 92 individuals representing five ecotypes. We included data from 18 fat-tailed and 45 thin-tailed sheep from China, to investigate shared ancestry and perform comparative genomic analysis. We observed a clear genomic differentiation between the African thin-tailed Desert Sheep and the Chinese thin-tailed and fat-tailed sheep, suggesting a broad genetic structure between the fat-tailed and thin-tailed sheep in general, and that at least two autosomal gene pools comprise the genome profile of the thin-tailed sheep. Further analysis detected two distinct genetic clusters in both the African thin-tailed Desert Sheep and the Chinese thin-tailed sheep, suggesting a fine-scale and complex genome architecture in thin-tailed sheep. Selection signature analysis suggested differences in adaptation, production, reproduction and morphology likely underly the fine-scale genetic structure in the African thin-tailed Desert Sheep. This may need to be considered in designing breeding programs and genome-wide association studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Abied
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.,Dry Land Research Centre and Animal Production, Agricultural Research Corporation, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Abulgasim M Ahbara
- Small Ruminant Genomics, International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Haile Berihulay
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lingyang Xu
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Rabiul Islam
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Faisal M El-Hag
- Dry Land Research Centre and Animal Production, Agricultural Research Corporation, Khartoum, Sudan.,Arid Land Research Centre, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan
| | - Mourad Rekik
- International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Amman, Jordan
| | - Aynalem Haile
- Small Ruminant Genomics, International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Jian-Lin Han
- CAAS-ILRI Joint Laboratory on Livestock and Forage Genetic Resources, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.,Livestock Genetics Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Yuehui Ma
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qianjun Zhao
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Joram M Mwacharo
- Small Ruminant Genomics, International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.,Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Scotland Rural College and Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), Roslin Institute, Midlothian, United Kingdom
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10
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Widmer S, Seefried FR, von Rohr P, Häfliger IM, Spengeler M, Drögemüller C. A major QTL at the LHCGR/FSHR locus for multiple birth in Holstein cattle. Genet Sel Evol 2021; 53:57. [PMID: 34217202 PMCID: PMC8255007 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-021-00650-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Twin and multiple births are rare in cattle and have a negative impact on the performance and health of cows and calves. Therefore, selection against multiple birth would be desirable in dairy cattle breeds such as Holstein. We applied different methods to decipher the genetic architecture of this trait using de-regressed breeding values for maternal multiple birth of ~ 2500 Holstein individuals to perform genome-wide association analyses using ~ 600 K imputed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). RESULTS In the population studied, we found no significant genetic trend over time of the estimated breeding values for multiple birth, which indicates that this trait has not been selected for in the past. In addition to several suggestive non-significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) on different chromosomes, we identified a major QTL on chromosome 11 for maternal multiple birth that explains ~ 16% of the total genetic variance. Using a haplotype-based approach, this QTL was fine-mapped to a 70-kb window on chromosome 11 between 31.00 and 31.07 Mb that harbors two functional candidate genes (LHCGR and FSHR). Analysis of whole-genome sequence data by linkage-disequilibrium estimation revealed a regulatory variant in the 5'-region of LHCGR as a possible candidate causal variant for the identified major QTL. Furthermore, the identified haplotype showed significant effects on stillbirth and days to first service. CONCLUSIONS QTL detection and subsequent identification of causal variants in livestock species remain challenging in spite of the availability of large-scale genotype and phenotype data. Here, we report for the first time a major QTL for multiple birth in Holstein cattle and provide evidence for a linked variant in the non-coding region of a functional candidate gene. This discovery, which is a first step towards the understanding of the genetic architecture of this polygenic trait, opens the path for future selection against this undesirable trait, and thus contributes to increased animal health and welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Widmer
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Irene M. Häfliger
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Cord Drögemüller
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
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11
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Thermal Mechanisms Preventing or Favoring Multiple Ovulations in Dairy Cattle. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11020435. [PMID: 33567503 PMCID: PMC7915362 DOI: 10.3390/ani11020435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary While cows are usually monovular, the incidence of dizygous twin births has recently increased considerably alongside increasing milk production. Genetic progress and improvements in nutrition and management practices have led to a continuous increase in milk yield and thus also to multiple ovulations and twin pregnancies. Twin pregnancies are undesirable as they seriously compromise the welfare of the cow and herd economy. A better understanding of the processes associated with multiple ovulations should help to reduce rates of twinning. During the stages of the sexual cycle, temperature gradients are established within the ovary and throughout the genital tract. Pre-ovulatory local cooling of the reproductive system favors male and female gamete maturation and subsequent fertilization. In fact, thermal mechanisms may prevent or favor multiple ovulations and thus twinning. The purpose of this review was to update this topic. Abstract While cows are predominantly monovular, over the past 30 years the incidence of multiple ovulations and thus twinning has increased considerably alongside milk production. Multiple pregnancies are not desirable as they negatively affect the health of cows and the herd economy. Although causal mechanisms associated with multiple ovulations have been extensively revised, the process of multiple ovulations is not well understood. Recent studies on the thermal biology of the reproductive system have shown how thermal mechanisms may prevent or favor multiple ovulations. This review focuses on this relationship between thermal dynamics and multiple pregnancies. Cooling of the pre-ovulatory follicle is able to regulate ovulation. In effect, pre-ovulatory local cooling of the female reproductive system favors male and female gamete maturation and promotes fertilization. Thermal stress is proposed here as a model of stress. Periods of high ambient temperature affect the processes of pre-ovulatory follicular cooling and multiple ovulations. While the ratio between unilateral and bilateral multiple pregnancies is normally close to one, under heat stress conditions, this ratio may be 1.4 favoring unilateral multiple pregnancies. A ratio approaching unity is here proposed as an indicator of cow wellbeing.
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12
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Novel Variants in GDF9 Gene Affect Promoter Activity and Litter Size in Mongolia Sheep. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11040375. [PMID: 32235645 PMCID: PMC7230991 DOI: 10.3390/genes11040375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Litter size is an economically important trait in sheep breeding. The objectives of this study were as follows: (1) to ascertain if any of the 19 known variants in the BMPRIB, BMP15, and GDF9 genes are present and associated with the litter size of Mongolia sheep; (2) to identify novel variants in GDF9 and perform association analysis; and (3) to validate the effects of these GDF9 promoter variants on the activity of the gene. The results of the 19 known variants showed that the FecBB affected the litter size of Mongolia sheep (p < 0.001). The association analysis results of novel variants showed that the g.46544883A>G (GenBank accession: NC_040256, the same below) in the 3' untranslated region (3' UTR), the c.1040T>C (Phe347Ser) in the exon 2, and the g.46547859C>T SNP in the promotor of GDF9 were significantly associated with litter size of Mongolia ewes (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, and p < 0.001, respectively). In addition, the GDF9 promoter activity analysis showed that the C allele at the -332 position (g.46547859C>T) could decrease luciferase activity compared with the T allele (p < 0.01). Our findings may facilitate effective marker-assisted selection to increase litter size in Mongolia sheep populations, as well as bring new insights into GDF9 expression.
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13
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Garcia-Guerra A, Kamalludin MH, Kirkpatrick BW, Wiltbank MC. Trio a novel bovine high-fecundity allele: II. Hormonal profile and follicular dynamics underlying the high ovulation rate. Biol Reprod 2019; 98:335-349. [PMID: 29425274 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The newly discovered Trio high-fecundity allele produces multiple ovulations in cattle. This study evaluated (1) size and growth rates of follicles in Trio carriers during a synchronized follicular wave, induced by follicle aspiration; (2) follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) patterns associated with the follicular wave; (3) size of corpora lutea (CL) and circulating progesterone; and (4) intrafollicular estradiol concentrations prior to normal deviation. Trio carriers had mean dominant follicles that were significantly smaller in diameter and volume than noncarriers. Onset of diameter deviation occurred at ∼3 days after the last follicle aspiration in both genotypes despite Trio carriers having much smaller individual follicles. Follicles of Trio carriers grew at a slower rate than noncarrier follicles (∼65% in mm/day or ∼30% in mm3/day) resulting in much smaller individual dominant follicles (∼25% volume). However, total dominant follicle volume, calculated as the sum of all dominant follicles in each animal, was similar in carriers and noncarriers of Trio throughout the entire follicular wave. Circulating FSH was greater in Trio carriers during the 24 h encompassing deviation. Trio carriers had significantly more ovulations than noncarriers, and individual CL volume was smaller, although total luteal tissue volume and circulating P4 were not different. Thus, increased ovulation rate in Trio carriers relates to smaller individual follicles (one-third the volume) near the time of deviation due to slower follicle growth rate, although time of deviation is similar, with increased circulating FSH near deviation leading to selection of multiple dominant follicles in Trio carriers with similar total follicle volume.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Garcia-Guerra
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.,Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.,Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Mamat H Kamalludin
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.,Department Animal Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Brian W Kirkpatrick
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.,Department of Animal Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Milo C Wiltbank
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.,Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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14
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Majd SA, Ahmadi A, Talebi R, Koohi PM, Fabre S, Qanbari S. Polymorphism identification in ovine KISS1R/GPR54 gene among pure and crossbreeds of Iranian sheep. Small Rumin Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2019.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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15
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Rocha LGS, Dos Santos DJA, Tonhati H, Costa RB, de Camargo GMF. Twinning rate in buffaloes: A case report. Reprod Domest Anim 2019; 54:808-811. [PMID: 30821009 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The information of twin pregnancy frequencies in buffaloes is scarce in the literature. Evidence even indicates that twin pregnancies are not carried to term, but it does not seem to be the case. In this case report, the event of twin pregnancy in buffaloes is reported as well as its frequency. Twin birth is the presence of two or more embryos in a single gestation. Multiple births are uncommon in buffaloes since the species is uniparous. We studied a population of Murrah buffaloes in which slightly more than 13,000 births were observed. In this study, the frequency of occurrence of twin births in Murrah buffaloes was 0.14%. This low incidence impaired the estimation of genetic parameters. Twins can have advantages and disadvantages depending on the production system, which are discussed in this case report.
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16
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Ben Jemaa S, Ruesche J, Sarry J, Woloszyn F, Lassoued N, Fabre S. The high prolificacy of D'man sheep is associated with the segregation of the FecL L mutation in the B4GALNT2 gene. Reprod Domest Anim 2019; 54:531-537. [PMID: 30561778 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in the FecL locus are associated with large variation in ovulation rate and litter size in the French Lacaune sheep breed. It has been shown that the B4GALNT2 gene within the FecL locus is most likely responsible for the high fecundity in the French breed. In this study, we have highlighted the segregation of the FecLL mutation within the B4GALNT2 gene in North African sheep breeds and notably in the highly prolific D'man breed. Genotyping of a sample of 183 Tunisian D'man individuals revealed a high frequency (0.65) of the prolific allele FecLL which was attributed to the adoption of a decades-old breeding strategy based on the selection of ewe lambs born from large litter size. Homozygous LL ewes showed a significantly increased litter size compared to heterozygous and non-carrier ewes (FecLL /FecLL = 2.47 ± 0.09 vs. FecLL /FecL+ = 2.23 ± 0.09, p < 0.05 and FecL+ /FecL+ = 1.93 ± 0.18, p < 0.01). The presence of the FecLL polymorphism in both D'man and Lacaune breeds argues for an ancestral origin of this mutation and brings an answer to the old question of the genetic determinism of the extreme prolificacy of the D'man ewes. The results of this study can help to establish planned genotype-based mating allowing both higher profit for the breeders and an optimal management of the FecLL mutation in D'man sheep populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Slim Ben Jemaa
- Laboratoire des Productions Animales et Fourragères, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique de Tunisie, Université de Carthage, Ariana, Tunisia
| | - Julien Ruesche
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRA, INPT, ENVT, Castanet Tolosan, France
| | - Julien Sarry
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRA, INPT, ENVT, Castanet Tolosan, France
| | - Florent Woloszyn
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRA, INPT, ENVT, Castanet Tolosan, France
| | - Narjess Lassoued
- Laboratoire des Productions Animales et Fourragères, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique de Tunisie, Université de Carthage, Ariana, Tunisia
| | - Stéphane Fabre
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRA, INPT, ENVT, Castanet Tolosan, France
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17
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Matheson SM, Walling GA, Edwards SA. Genetic selection against intrauterine growth retardation in piglets: a problem at the piglet level with a solution at the sow level. Genet Sel Evol 2018; 50:46. [PMID: 30227828 PMCID: PMC6145367 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-018-0417-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In polytocous livestock species, litter size and offspring weight act antagonistically; in modern pig breeds, selection for increased litter size has resulted in lower mean birth weights, an increased number of small piglets and an increased number of those affected by varying degrees of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). IUGR poses life-long challenges, both mental, with morphological brain changes and altered cognition, and physical, such as immaturity of organs, reduced colostrum intake and weight gain. In pigs, head morphology of newborn piglets is a good phenotypic marker for identifying such compromised piglets. Growth retardation could be considered as a property of the dam, in part due to either uterine capacity or insufficiency. A novel approach to this issue is to consider the proportion of IUGR-affected piglets in a litter as an indirect measure of uterine capacity. However, uterine capacity or sufficiency cannot be equated solely to litter size and thus is a trait difficult to measure on farm. Results A total of 21,159 Landrace × Large White or Landrace × White Duroc piglets (born over 52 weeks) with recorded head morphology and birth weights were followed from birth until death or weaning. At the piglet level, the estimated heritability for IUGR (as defined by head morphology) was low at 0.01 ± 0.01. Piglet direct genetic effects of birth weight (h2 = 0.07 ± 0.02) were strongly negatively correlated with head morphology (− 0.93), in that IUGR-affected piglets tended to have lower birth weights. At the sow level, analysis of the proportion of IUGR-affected piglets in a litter gave a heritability of 0.20 ± 0.06, with high and negative genetic correlations of the proportion of IUGR-affected piglets with average offspring birth weight (− 0.90) and with the proportion of piglets surviving until 24 h (− 0.80). Conclusions This suggests that the proportion of IUGR-affected piglets in a litter is a suitable indirect measure of uterine capacity for inclusion in breeding programmes that aim at reducing IUGR in piglets and improving piglet survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M Matheson
- Agriculture, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK.
| | - Grant A Walling
- JSR Genetics, Southburn, Driffield, East Yorkshire, YO25 9ED, UK
| | - Sandra A Edwards
- Agriculture, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
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18
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López-Gatius F, Garcia-Ispierto I, Serrano-Pérez B, Hunter RHF. The presence of two ovulatory follicles at timed artificial insemination influences the ovulatory response to GnRH in high-producing dairy cows. Theriogenology 2018; 120:91-97. [PMID: 30096620 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.07.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Revised: 06/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
This study sought to examine the impact of the presence of two co-dominant (ovulatory) follicles at the time of artificial insemination (AI) on the ovulatory response to GnRH given in a fixed-time AI protocol. The study population comprised 622 lactating dairy cows: 306 (49.2%) with a single follicle, 198 (31.8%) with two bilateral follicles (one follicle per ovary) and 118 (19%) with two unilateral follicles (same ovary). Based on odds ratios, cows with two bilateral or unilateral follicles were less likely (by factors of 0.09 and 0.11, respectively) to undergo ovulation failure compared with cows with one follicle (P = 0.01 and P = 0.02, respectively); the likelihood of ovulation failure decreased 0.75 times with every one-mm increase in follicle diameter for cows with a single follicle, whereas individual follicle diameter was not related to ovulation failure in cows with two bilateral follicles (P = 0.001). The likelihood of double ovulation decreased 0.7 times with every one-mm diameter difference between the larger and smaller follicle for all cows with two follicles (P = 0.001), whereas cows with two unilateral follicles showed a higher (P < 0.05) double ovulation rate than cows with two bilateral follicles. In 116 (58.6%) of the cows with two bilateral follicles, only the larger follicle ovulated in 59.5% cows, whereas only the smaller one ovulated in the remaining 40.5% cows. In these cows, a one-mm size difference between the larger and the smaller follicle gave rise to a 1.12-fold increase in the ovulation failure rate for the larger follicles (P = 0.0001). Cows with two bilateral follicles were more likely (by a factor of 1.5) to conceive than cows with one follicle (P = 0.001). Significant right-left differences were not found in cows with two bilateral follicles, whereas the right ovary was more active than the left in the remaining cows. Our results indicate that cows with two co-dominant follicles at AI show different ovulation patterns to those with one dominant follicle. A higher rate of ovulation failure was observed among cows with one follicle than cows with two follicles, whereas the conception rate was higher for cows with two bilateral follicles than for the remaining cows. In cows with two follicles, double ovulations along with ovulation of the smaller follicle were related to the least size difference between the larger and smaller follicle.
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Affiliation(s)
- F López-Gatius
- Agrotecnio Centre, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain; Transfer in Bovine Reproduction SLu, Barbastro, Spain.
| | - I Garcia-Ispierto
- Agrotecnio Centre, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain; Department of Animal Science, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - B Serrano-Pérez
- Agrotecnio Centre, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain; Department of Animal Science, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - R H F Hunter
- Sidney Sussex College, University of Cambridge, UK; Ladfield, Oxnam, Jedburgh, TD8 6RJ, UK
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19
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Comparative mRNA and miRNA expression in European mouflon (Ovis musimon) and sheep (Ovis aries) provides novel insights into the genetic mechanisms for female reproductive success. Heredity (Edinb) 2018; 122:172-186. [PMID: 29784930 PMCID: PMC6327046 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-018-0090-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Revised: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Prolific breeds of domestic sheep (Ovis aries) are important genetic resources due to their reproductive performance, which is characterized by multiple lambs per birth and out-of-season breeding. However, the lack of a comprehensive understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying the important reproductive traits, particularly from the evolutionary genomics perspective, has impeded the efficient advancement of sheep breeding. Here, for the first time, by performing RNA-sequencing we built a de novo transcriptome assembly of ovarian and endometrial tissues in European mouflon (Ovis musimon) and performed an mRNA–miRNA integrated expression profiling analysis of the wild species and a highly prolific domestic sheep breed, the Finnsheep. We identified several novel genes with differentially expressed mRNAs (e.g., EREG, INHBA, SPP1, AMH, TDRD5, and ZP2) between the wild and domestic sheep, which are functionally involved in oocyte and follicle development and fertilization, and are significantly (adjusted P-value < 0.05) enriched in the Gene Ontology (GO) terms of various reproductive process, including the regulation of fertilization, oogenesis, ovarian follicle development, and sperm–egg recognition. Additionally, we characterized 58 differentially expressed miRNAs and 210 associated target genes that are essential for the regulation of female reproduction cycles through specific regulatory networks [e.g., (miR-136, miR-374a, miR-9-5p)-(EREG, INHBA)]. Furthermore, our integrated mRNA and miRNA expression profiling analysis elucidated novel direct and indirect miRNA/mRNA causal regulatory relationships related to the reproductive traits of the Ovis species. This study provides in-depth insights into the genomic evolution underlying the reproductive traits of the Ovis species and valuable resources for ovine genomics.
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20
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Peigné M, Catteau-Jonard S, Robin G, Dumont A, Pigny P, Dewailly D. The numbers of 2– 5 and 6–9 mm ovarian follicles are inversely correlated in both normal women and in polycystic ovary syndrome patients: what is the missing link? Hum Reprod 2018; 33:706-714. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dey017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M Peigné
- CHU Lille, Service de Gynécologie-Endocrinienne et Médecine de la Reproduction, Hôpital Jeanne de Flandre, rue Eugène Avinée 59000, Lille, France
- AP-HP, Unité de Médecine de la Reproduction, Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, 46 rue Henri Huchard, 75018 Paris, France
| | - S Catteau-Jonard
- CHU Lille, Service de Gynécologie-Endocrinienne et Médecine de la Reproduction, Hôpital Jeanne de Flandre, rue Eugène Avinée 59000, Lille, France
| | - G Robin
- CHU Lille, Service de Gynécologie-Endocrinienne et Médecine de la Reproduction, Hôpital Jeanne de Flandre, rue Eugène Avinée 59000, Lille, France
| | - A Dumont
- CHU Lille, Service de Gynécologie-Endocrinienne et Médecine de la Reproduction, Hôpital Jeanne de Flandre, rue Eugène Avinée 59000, Lille, France
| | - P Pigny
- CHU Lille, Service de Biochimie et Hormonologie, Centre de Biologie Pathologie, Bd du Professeur J. Leclercq 59000, Lille, France
| | - D Dewailly
- CHU Lille, Service de Gynécologie-Endocrinienne et Médecine de la Reproduction, Hôpital Jeanne de Flandre, rue Eugène Avinée 59000, Lille, France
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21
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García-Guerra A, Motta JCL, Melo LF, Kirkpatrick BW, Wiltbank MC. Ovulation rate, antral follicle count, and circulating anti-Müllerian hormone in Trio allele carriers, a novel high fecundity bovine genotype. Theriogenology 2017; 101:81-90. [PMID: 28708520 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2017] [Revised: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
High fecundity genotypes in sheep are a valuable model to study the physiological mechanisms underlying follicle selection and the control of ovulation rate. Similar genotypes in cattle had not been described until the recent identification of a major bovine allele, termed Trio, which had a large effect on ovulation rate. The present study was designed to evaluate ovulation rate, antral follicle count (AFC), circulating ant-müllerian hormone (AMH), and the association among these measures in unstimulated and superstimulated Trio carrier cattle. We hypothesized that AFC and AMH would be variable among individual cows but would be similar between Trio carriers and non-carrier control cows and that there would be no association between these measures of follicle numbers and ovulation rate. In experiment 1, ovulation rate was determined during 4 consecutive estrous cycles in Trio carriers (n = 34) and non-carrier controls (n = 27). Ovulation rate, on average, was greater (P < 0.01) in Trio carriers (3.5 ± 0.2) compared to non-carrier controls (1.1 ± 0.1) with ∼70% of carrier cycles (n = 136) having 3-4 ovulations while only ∼5% had single ovulations. In contrast, non-carrier cycles (n = 108) were mostly single ovulation (89%) with none having more than two ovulations. In experiment 2, AFC, determined at wave emergence, was not different (P = 0.54) between Trio carriers (24.5 ± 1.3; n = 45) and non-carrier controls (23.1 ± 0.9; n = 37), and no correlation was found between AFC and mean ovulation rate in either genotype (r = -0.009 and r = -0.07; P > 0.70, respectively). In Experiment 3, circulating AMH was also not different between genotypes (P = 0.65) while correlations were found between AFC and AMH in Trio carriers (r = 0.43; P = 0.05; n = 27) and non-carrier controls (r = 0.78; P < 0.01; n = 19). In experiment 4, AFC and AMH were determined in Trio-carriers (n = 9) in relation to a synchronized follicular wave which was unstimulated or stimulated with exogenous FSH. Stimulation with FSH increased ovulation rate, compared to unstimulated Trio carriers, however no association was found between AFC or AMH and ovulation rate regardless of whether superstimulation with exogenous FSH was used. In conclusion, the novel high fecundity bovine genotype Trio, results in consistent multiple ovulations despite having similar AFC and AMH. Therefore, our results suggest that differences in antral follicle numbers during the final stages of follicle development are not a key component of the mechanism underlying multiple ovulations in Trio carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro García-Guerra
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1675 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI, United States; Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Jéssica C L Motta
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1675 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Leonardo F Melo
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1675 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI, United States; Department of Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Brian W Kirkpatrick
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1675 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI, United States; Department of Animal Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1675 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Milo C Wiltbank
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1675 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI, United States; Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States.
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Genetic parameters and genome-wide associations of twinning rate in a local breed, the Maremmana cattle. Animal 2017; 11:1660-1666. [PMID: 28219476 DOI: 10.1017/s1751731117000283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This study seeks to verify the feasibility of increasing twinning in a herd of the Italian autochtonous Maremmana breed. The data set included 1260 individuals born from 1963 to 2014, 527 males and 733 females, 402 of them calving at least once from 1983 through 2015. Breeding values for twinning were estimated by a single-trait linear animal model. However, since twinning is a dichotomous trait and the frequency of twins is far smaller than the frequency of single births, breeding values were also estimated by a single-trait animal threshold model. Heritability of twinning was 0.014±0.018 and 0.062±0.093 for the linear and the threshold models, respectively. Repeatability was 0.071±0.004 and 0.286± 0.012, respectively, for the two models. Genotyping with the Illumina BovineSNP54 BeadChip was performed for cows living on farm in 2012 (119 cows) and a genome-wide association analysis was performed on the corrected phenotype of all calving during the lifespan of each cow, using the GenABEL package in R and a three step GRAMMAR-GC approach. Genomic heritability, calculated from the genomic kinship matrix estimated through genomic marker data, was 0.29±0.021. The most significant detected single nucleotide polymorphisms (Hapmap22923-BTA-129564) was located in proximity of two genes, ARHGAP8 and TMEM200C, which might be potential functional candidates for twinning rate in cattle.
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Monestier O, Blanquet V. WFIKKN1 and WFIKKN2: "Companion" proteins regulating TGFB activity. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2016; 32:75-84. [PMID: 27325460 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2016.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Revised: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The WFIKKN (WAP, Follistatin/kazal, Immunoglobulin, Kunitz and Netrin domain-containing) protein family is composed of two multidomain proteins: WFIKKN1 and WFIKKN2. They were formed by domain shuffling and are likely present in deuterostoms. The WFIKKN (also called GASP) proteins are well known for their function in muscle and skeletal tissues, namely, inhibition of certain members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFB) superfamily such as myostatin (MSTN) and growth and differentiation factor 11 (GDF11). However, the role of the WFIKKN proteins in other tissues is still poorly understood in spite of evidence suggesting possible action in the inner ear, brain and reproduction. Further, several recent studies based on next generation technologies revealed differential expression of WFIKKN1 and WFIKKN2 in various tissues suggesting that their function is not limited to MSTN and GDF11 inhibition in musculoskeletal tissue. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about the WFIKKN proteins and propose that they are "companion" proteins for various growth factors by providing localized and sustained presentation of TGFB proteins to their respective receptors, thus regulating the balance between the activation of Smad and non-Smad pathways by TGFB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Monestier
- INRA, UR1037 Laboratory of Fish Physiology and Genomic, Growth and Flesh Quality Group, Campus de Beaulieu, 35000 Rennes, France.
| | - Véronique Blanquet
- INRA, UMR1061 Unité de Génétique Moléculaire Animale, 87060 Limoges, France; Université de Limoges, 87060 Limoges, France.
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24
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Review: Towards the agroecological management of ruminants, pigs and poultry through the development of sustainable breeding programmes. II. Breeding strategies. Animal 2016; 10:1760-1769. [DOI: 10.1017/s1751731116001051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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25
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Marchitelli C, Nardone A. Mutations and sequence variants in GDF9, BMP15, and BMPR1B genes in Maremmana cattle breed with single and twin births. RENDICONTI LINCEI-SCIENZE FISICHE E NATURALI 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s12210-015-0418-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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26
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Huang H, Clancy KBH, Burhance C, Zhu Y, Madrigal L. Women who deliver twins are more likely to smoke and have high frequencies of specific SNPs: Results from a sample of African-American women who delivered preterm, low birth weight babies. Am J Hum Biol 2015; 27:605-12. [PMID: 25882505 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.22723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2014] [Revised: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We examine if there are genetic and environmental differences between mothers of singleton and multiple pregnancies in a sample of African-American mothers. METHODS We focus on genomic areas suggested to increase or decrease the odds of multiple pregnancies. We computed the odds ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) for each SNP unadjusted or adjusted with smoking. SNPs' allelic differences between mothers of multiple pregnancies and singletons were also tested using Fisher's exact test. We considered additive terms for the SNPs' genotypes, smoking, and a multiplicative interaction term of two selected SNPs' genotypes. RESULTS We found significant interactions between smoking and SNPs of the CYP19A, MDM4, MTHFR and TP53 genes which correlated with higher odds of twinning. We also found a significant interaction between SNPs at the TP53 (rs8079544) and MTHFR gene (rs4846049), where the interaction between the homozygotes (TT for rs8079544, GG for rs4846049) correlated with lowered odds of multiple pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS We provide a mechanistic explanation and preliminary evidence for previous reports that mothers of twins are more likely to have smoked, despite seemingly conflicting evidence for the fertility-reducing effects of nicotine. Nicotine, as an aromatase inhibitor, inhibits estrogen synthesis and may allow for greater production of gonadotropins. While smoking may have deleterious effects on fertility across many genotypes, in women of specific genotypes it may raise their odds of producing twins. TP53 involvement suggests the necessity of future work examining relationships between women who bear multiples and cancer risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Huang
- School of Information, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Av, Tampa, Florida, 33620
| | - Kathryn B H Clancy
- Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 109 Davenport Hall, 607 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana, Illinois, 61801
| | - Crystal Burhance
- Department of Anthropology, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Av, Tampa, Florida, 33620
| | - Yilliang Zhu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of South Florida
| | - Lorena Madrigal
- Department of Anthropology, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Av, Tampa, Florida, 33620
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Chen HY, Shen H, Jia B, Zhang YS, Wang XH, Zeng XC. Differential gene expression in ovaries of Qira black sheep and Hetian sheep using RNA-Seq technique. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0120170. [PMID: 25790350 PMCID: PMC4366253 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0120170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2014] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Qira black sheep and the Hetian sheep are two local breeds in the Northwest of China, which are characterized by high-fecundity and low-fecundity breed respectively. The elucidation of mRNA expression profiles in the ovaries among different sheep breeds representing fecundity extremes will helpful for identification and utilization of major prolificacy genes in sheep. In the present study, we performed RNA-seq technology to compare the difference in ovarian mRNA expression profiles between Qira black sheep and Hetian sheep. From the Qira black sheep and the Hetian sheep libraries, we obtained a total of 11,747,582 and 11,879,968 sequencing reads, respectively. After aligning to the reference sequences, the two libraries included 16,763 and 16,814 genes respectively. A total of 1,252 genes were significantly differentially expressed at Hetian sheep compared with Qira black sheep. Eight differentially expressed genes were randomly selected for validation by real-time RT-PCR. This study provides a basic data for future research of the sheep reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Ying Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Hong Shen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Bin Jia
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Yong Sheng Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Xu Hai Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Xian Cun Zeng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
- * E-mail:
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28
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Monestier O, Servin B, Auclair S, Bourquard T, Poupon A, Pascal G, Fabre S. Evolutionary origin of bone morphogenetic protein 15 and growth and differentiation factor 9 and differential selective pressure between mono- and polyovulating species. Biol Reprod 2014; 91:83. [PMID: 25100713 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.114.119735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and growth and differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) are TGFbeta-like oocyte-derived growth factors involved in ovarian folliculogenesis as critical regulators of many granulosa cell processes and ovulation rate. Ovarian phenotypic effect caused by alterations in BMP15 and GDF9 genes appears to differ between species and may be relevant to their mono- or polyovulating status. Through phylogenetic analysis we recently showed that these two paralogous genes are strongly divergent and in rapid evolution as compared to other members of the TGFbeta superfamily. Here, we evaluate the amino acid substitution rates of a set of proteins implicated in the ovarian function, including BMP15 and GDF9, with special attention to the mono- or polyovulating status of the species. Among a panel of mono- and polyovulating mammals, we demonstrate a better conservation of some areas in BMP15 and GDF9 within mono-ovulating species. Homology modeling of BMP15 and GDF9 homodimer and heterodimer 3-D structures was suggestive that these areas may be involved in dimer formation and stability. A phylogenetic study of BMP15/GDF9-related proteins reveals that these two genes diverged from the same ancestral gene along with BMP3 and GDF10, two other paralogous genes. A substitution rate analysis based on this phylogenetic tree leads to the hypothesis of an acquisition of BMP15/GDF9-specific functions in ovarian folliculogenesis in mammals. We propose that high variations observed in specific areas of BMP15 and GDF9 in polyovulating species change the equilibrium between homodimers and heterodimers, modifying the biological activity and thus allowing polyovulation to occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Monestier
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1388 Génétique, Physiologie et Systèmes d'Elevage, Castanet-Tolosan, France Université de Toulouse, Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse, École Nationale Supérieure Agronomique de Toulouse, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1388 Génétique, Physiologie et Systèmes d'Elevage, Castanet-Tolosan, France Université de Toulouse, Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse, École nationale vétérinaire de Toulouse, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1388 Génétique, Physiologie et Systèmes d'Elevage, Toulouse, France
| | - Bertrand Servin
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1388 Génétique, Physiologie et Systèmes d'Elevage, Castanet-Tolosan, France Université de Toulouse, Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse, École Nationale Supérieure Agronomique de Toulouse, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1388 Génétique, Physiologie et Systèmes d'Elevage, Castanet-Tolosan, France Université de Toulouse, Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse, École nationale vétérinaire de Toulouse, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1388 Génétique, Physiologie et Systèmes d'Elevage, Toulouse, France
| | - Sylvain Auclair
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Nouzilly, France Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7247 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Nouzilly, France Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation, Nouzilly, France
| | - Thomas Bourquard
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Nouzilly, France Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7247 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Nouzilly, France Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation, Nouzilly, France
| | - Anne Poupon
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Nouzilly, France Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7247 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Nouzilly, France Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation, Nouzilly, France
| | - Géraldine Pascal
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1388 Génétique, Physiologie et Systèmes d'Elevage, Castanet-Tolosan, France Université de Toulouse, Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse, École Nationale Supérieure Agronomique de Toulouse, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1388 Génétique, Physiologie et Systèmes d'Elevage, Castanet-Tolosan, France Université de Toulouse, Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse, École nationale vétérinaire de Toulouse, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1388 Génétique, Physiologie et Systèmes d'Elevage, Toulouse, France
| | - Stéphane Fabre
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1388 Génétique, Physiologie et Systèmes d'Elevage, Castanet-Tolosan, France Université de Toulouse, Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse, École Nationale Supérieure Agronomique de Toulouse, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1388 Génétique, Physiologie et Systèmes d'Elevage, Castanet-Tolosan, France Université de Toulouse, Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse, École nationale vétérinaire de Toulouse, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1388 Génétique, Physiologie et Systèmes d'Elevage, Toulouse, France
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Anti-Müllerian hormone concentration in sheep and its dependence of age and independence of BMP15 genotype: An endocrine predictor to select the best donors for embryo biotechnologies. Theriogenology 2014; 81:347-57. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2013.09.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2013] [Revised: 09/16/2013] [Accepted: 09/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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30
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Drouilhet L, Mansanet C, Sarry J, Tabet K, Bardou P, Woloszyn F, Lluch J, Harichaux G, Viguié C, Monniaux D, Bodin L, Mulsant P, Fabre S. The highly prolific phenotype of Lacaune sheep is associated with an ectopic expression of the B4GALNT2 gene within the ovary. PLoS Genet 2013; 9:e1003809. [PMID: 24086150 PMCID: PMC3784507 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2013] [Accepted: 08/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Prolific sheep have proven to be a valuable model to identify genes and mutations implicated in female fertility. In the Lacaune sheep breed, large variation in litter size is genetically determined by the segregation of a fecundity major gene influencing ovulation rate, named FecL and its prolific allele FecL(L) . Our previous work localized FecL on sheep chromosome 11 within a locus of 1.1 Mb encompassing 20 genes. With the aim to identify the FecL gene, we developed a high throughput sequencing strategy of long-range PCR fragments spanning the locus of FecL(L) carrier and non-carrier ewes. Resulting informative markers defined a new 194.6 kb minimal interval. The reduced FecL locus contained only two genes, insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 1 (IGF2BP1) and beta-1,4-N-acetyl-galactosaminyl transferase 2 (B4GALNT2), and we identified two SNP in complete linkage disequilibrium with FecL(L) . B4GALNT2 appeared as the best positional and expressional candidate for FecL, since it showed an ectopic expression in the ovarian follicles of FecL(L) /FecL(L) ewes at mRNA and protein levels. In FecL(L) carrier ewes only, B4GALNT2 transferase activity was localized in granulosa cells and specifically glycosylated proteins were detected in granulosa cell extracts and follicular fluids. The identification of these glycoproteins by mass spectrometry revealed at least 10 proteins, including inhibin alpha and betaA subunits, as potential targets of B4GALNT2 activity. Specific ovarian protein glycosylation by B4GALNT2 is proposed as a new mechanism of ovulation rate regulation in sheep, and could contribute to open new fields of investigation to understand female infertility pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence Drouilhet
- INRA-ENVT, UMR 444, Laboratoire de Génétique Cellulaire, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Camille Mansanet
- INRA UMR 85, CNRS UMR 7247, Université de Tours, IFCE, Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Nouzilly, France
| | - Julien Sarry
- INRA-ENVT, UMR 444, Laboratoire de Génétique Cellulaire, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Kamila Tabet
- INRA-ENVT, UMR 444, Laboratoire de Génétique Cellulaire, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Philippe Bardou
- INRA, SIGENAE, Laboratoire de Génétique Cellulaire, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Florent Woloszyn
- INRA-ENVT, UMR 444, Laboratoire de Génétique Cellulaire, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Jérome Lluch
- INRA, GeT-PlaGe Genotoul, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Grégoire Harichaux
- INRA UMR 85, CNRS UMR 7247, Université de Tours, IFCE, Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Nouzilly, France
- INRA, Plate-forme d'Analyse Intégrative des Biomolécules, Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse, Nouzilly, France
| | - Catherine Viguié
- UMR 1331 INRA-ENVT-EIP-INPT-UPS, Toxicologie Alimentaire, Toulouse, France
| | - Danielle Monniaux
- INRA UMR 85, CNRS UMR 7247, Université de Tours, IFCE, Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Nouzilly, France
| | - Loys Bodin
- INRA, UR 631, Station d'Amélioration Génétique des Animaux, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Philippe Mulsant
- INRA-ENVT, UMR 444, Laboratoire de Génétique Cellulaire, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Stéphane Fabre
- INRA-ENVT, UMR 444, Laboratoire de Génétique Cellulaire, Castanet-Tolosan, France
- INRA UMR 85, CNRS UMR 7247, Université de Tours, IFCE, Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Nouzilly, France
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31
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Demars J, Fabre S, Sarry J, Rossetti R, Gilbert H, Persani L, Tosser-Klopp G, Mulsant P, Nowak Z, Drobik W, Martyniuk E, Bodin L. Genome-wide association studies identify two novel BMP15 mutations responsible for an atypical hyperprolificacy phenotype in sheep. PLoS Genet 2013; 9:e1003482. [PMID: 23637641 PMCID: PMC3636084 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2012] [Accepted: 03/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Some sheep breeds are naturally prolific, and they are very informative for the studies of reproductive genetics and physiology. Major genes increasing litter size (LS) and ovulation rate (OR) were suspected in the French Grivette and the Polish Olkuska sheep populations, respectively. To identify genetic variants responsible for the highly prolific phenotype in these two breeds, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) followed by complementary genetic and functional analyses were performed. Highly prolific ewes (cases) and normal prolific ewes (controls) from each breed were genotyped using the Illumina OvineSNP50 Genotyping Beadchip. In both populations, an X chromosome region, close to the BMP15 gene, harbored clusters of markers with suggestive evidence of association at significance levels between 1E(-05) and 1E(-07). The BMP15 candidate gene was then sequenced, and two novel non-conservative mutations called FecX(Gr) and FecX(O) were identified in the Grivette and Olkuska breeds, respectively. The two mutations were associated with the highly prolific phenotype (p FecX (Gr) = 5.98E(-06) and p FecX(O) = 2.55E(-08)). Homozygous ewes for the mutated allele showed a significantly increased prolificacy (FecX(Gr)/FecX(Gr), LS = 2.50 ± 0.65 versus FecX(+)/FecX(Gr), LS = 1.93 ± 0.42, p<1E(-03) and FecX(O)/FecX(O), OR = 3.28 ± 0.85 versus FecX(+)/FecX(O), OR = 2.02 ± 0.47, p<1E(-03)). Both mutations are located in very well conserved motifs of the protein and altered the BMP15 signaling activity in vitro using a BMP-responsive luciferase test in COV434 granulosa cells. Thus, we have identified two novel mutations in the BMP15 gene associated with increased LS and OR. Notably, homozygous FecX(Gr)/FecX(Gr) Grivette and homozygous FecX(O)/FecX(O) Olkuska ewes are hyperprolific in striking contrast with the sterility exhibited by all other known homozygous BMP15 mutations. Our results bring new insights into the key role played by the BMP15 protein in ovarian function and could contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of women's fertility disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Demars
- INRA, UMR444 Laboratoire de Génétique Cellulaire, Castanet-Tolosan, France.
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