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Pompermayer E, Ysebaert MP, Vinardell T, Oikawa MA, Johnson JP, Fernandes T, David F. One-stage surgical case management of a two-year-old Arabian horse affected by male-pseudo hermaphroditism. J Equine Vet Sci 2024; 133:105007. [PMID: 38237706 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
A two-year-old Arabian horse presented for abnormal external genitalia and dangerous stallion-like behavior was diagnosed with disorder of sexual development (DSD), also known as intersex/hermaphroditism. Standing 1-stage surgical procedure performed under sedation, and local anesthesia to concurrently eliminate stallion-like behavior, risk of neoplastic transformation of intraabdominal gonads, and to replace ambiguous external genital with a functional, and cosmetically more acceptable anatomy. Step-1) Laparoscopic abdominal exploration and gonadectomy; Step-2) Rudimentary penis resection and perineal urethrostomy. The horse tolerated surgery well (combined surgery time 185 min) with no complications. At macroscopic examination of the gonads, they resembled hypoplastic testis-like tissues. Microscopic examination confirmed presence of seminiferous tubules, Leydig and Sertoli/granulosa cells. Cytogenetic evaluation revealed a 64,XX karyotype, SRY-negative. The stallion-like behavior subsided within days post-operatively. Long-term follow-up revealed the genitoplasty site healed without urine scalding or urethral stricture. The owner satisfaction was excellent and the horse could be used post-surgery as an athlete.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Pompermayer
- Equine Veterinary Medical Center - Member of Qatar Foundation, Al Shaqab Street, Al Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
| | - M P Ysebaert
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 1601 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1601, USA
| | - T Vinardell
- Equine Care Group, Paalstraat 8, 3560 Lummen, Belgium
| | - M-A Oikawa
- Equine Veterinary Medical Center - Member of Qatar Foundation, Al Shaqab Street, Al Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
| | - J P Johnson
- Equine & Camel Hospital, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - T Fernandes
- Equine Veterinary Medical Center - Member of Qatar Foundation, Al Shaqab Street, Al Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
| | - F David
- EquiTom - Namur, member of the Equine Care Group, 15 Chaussée de Nivelles, 5032 Mazy, Belgium.
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Castaneda C, Radović L, Felkel S, Juras R, Davis BW, Cothran EG, Wallner B, Raudsepp T. Copy number variation of horse Y chromosome genes in normal equine populations and in horses with abnormal sex development and subfertility: relationship of copy number variations with Y haplogroups. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2022; 12:jkac278. [PMID: 36227030 PMCID: PMC9713435 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Structural rearrangements like copy number variations in the male-specific Y chromosome have been associated with male fertility phenotypes in human and mouse but have been sparsely studied in other mammalian species. Here, we designed digital droplet PCR assays for 7 horse male-specific Y chromosome multicopy genes and SRY and evaluated their absolute copy numbers in 209 normal male horses of 22 breeds, 73 XY horses with disorders of sex development and/or infertility, 5 Przewalski's horses and 2 kulans. This established baseline copy number for these genes in horses. The TSPY gene showed the highest copy number and was the most copy number variable between individuals and breeds. SRY was a single-copy gene in most horses but had 2-3 copies in some indigenous breeds. Since SRY is flanked by 2 copies of RBMY, their copy number variations were interrelated and may lead to SRY-negative XY disorders of sex development. The Przewalski's horse and kulan had 1 copy of SRY and RBMY. TSPY and ETSTY2 showed significant copy number variations between cryptorchid and normal males (P < 0.05). No significant copy number variations were observed in subfertile/infertile males. Notably, copy number of TSPY and ETSTY5 differed between successive male generations and between cloned horses, indicating germline and somatic mechanisms for copy number variations. We observed no correlation between male-specific Y chromosome gene copy number variations and male-specific Y chromosome haplotypes. We conclude that the ampliconic male-specific Y chromosome reference assembly has deficiencies and further studies with an improved male-specific Y chromosome assembly are needed to determine selective constraints over horse male-specific Y chromosome gene copy number and their relation to stallion reproduction and male biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin Castaneda
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 7784-4458, USA
| | - Lara Radović
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna 1210, Austria
- Vienna Graduate School of Population Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna 1210, Austria
| | - Sabine Felkel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna 1210, Austria
- Vienna Graduate School of Population Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna 1210, Austria
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Computational Biology, BOKU University of Life Sciences and Natural Resources, Vienna 1190, Austria
| | - Rytis Juras
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 7784-4458, USA
| | - Brian W Davis
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 7784-4458, USA
| | - Ernest Gus Cothran
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 7784-4458, USA
| | - Barbara Wallner
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna 1210, Austria
| | - Terje Raudsepp
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 7784-4458, USA
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Yao X, El-Samahy MA, Li X, Bao Y, Guo J, Yang F, Wang Z, Li K, Zhang Y, Wang F. LncRNA-412.25 activates the LIF/STAT3 signaling pathway in ovarian granulosa cells of Hu sheep by sponging miR-346. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22467. [PMID: 35929417 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202200632r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Although long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are reported to regulate follicular development and reproductive disease pathogenesis, the underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated. In this study, lncRNA expression profiling of different-sized healthy follicles from Hu sheep with different prolificacy revealed 50 613 lncRNAs. Numerous lncRNAs were differentially expressed among different comparison groups. This study characterized one novel transcript, lncRNA-412.25 (from healthy follicles with a diameter of >5 mm), which was predominantly expressed in the high prolificacy group and localized to the cytoplasm of granulosa cells (GCs). LncRNA-412.25 knockdown promoted and inhibited Hu sheep GC apoptosis and proliferation, respectively. Interestingly, lncRNA-412.25 could directly bind to miR-346, which can target the gene of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). Knockdown of lncRNA-412.25 promoted GC apoptosis by downregulating LIF expression, where this effect was attenuated by miR-346. Moreover, the miR-346 inhibitor mitigated the lncRNA-412.25 knockdown-induced downregulation of phosphorylated protein of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), which was validated using immunofluorescence analysis. Our results demonstrated that lncRNA-412.25 regulates GC proliferation and apoptosis in Hu sheep by binding to miR-346 and then activating the LIF/STAT3 pathway. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying prolificacy in sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolei Yao
- Hu Sheep Academy, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mohamed AbdFatah El-Samahy
- Hu Sheep Academy, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.,Animal Production Research Institute, ARC, Ministry of Agriculture, Giza, Egypt
| | - Xiaodan Li
- Hu Sheep Academy, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yongjin Bao
- Hu Sheep Academy, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiahe Guo
- Hu Sheep Academy, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Hu Sheep Academy, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhibo Wang
- Hu Sheep Academy, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kang Li
- Hu Sheep Academy, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanli Zhang
- Hu Sheep Academy, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Hu Sheep Academy, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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Copy Number Variation (CNV): A New Genomic Insight in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12111435. [PMID: 35681904 PMCID: PMC9179425 DOI: 10.3390/ani12111435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This study aimed to contribute to our knowledge of CNVs, a type of genomic marker in equines, by producing, for the first time, a fine-scale characterization of the CNV regions (CNVRs) in the Pura Raza Española horse breed. We found not only the existence of a unique pattern of genomic regions enriched in CNVs in the PRE in comparison with the data available from other breeds but also the incidence of CNVs across the entire genome. Since these regions could affect the structure and dose of the genes involved, we also performed a gene ontology analysis which revealed that most of the genes overlapping in CNVRs were related to the olfactory pathways and immune response. Abstract Copy number variations (CNVs) are a new-fangled source of genetic variation that can explain changes in the phenotypes in complex traits and diseases. In recent years, their study has increased in many livestock populations. However, the study and characterization of CNVs in equines is still very limited. Our study aimed to investigate the distribution pattern of CNVs, characterize CNV regions (CNVRs), and identify the biological pathways affected by CNVRs in the Pura Raza Española (PRE) breed. To achieve this, we analyzed high-density SNP genotyping data (670,804 markers) from a large cohort of 654 PRE horses. In total, we identified 19,902 CNV segments and 1007 CNV regions in the whole population. The length of the CNVs ranged from 1.024 kb to 4.55 Mb, while the percentage of the genome covered by CNVs was 4.4%. Interestingly, duplications were more abundant than deletions and mixed CNVRs. In addition, the distribution of CNVs across the chromosomes was not uniform, with ECA12 being the chromosome with the largest percentage of its genome covered (19.2%), while the highest numbers of CNVs were found in ECA20, ECA12, and ECA1. Our results showed that 71.4% of CNVRs contained genes involved in olfactory transduction, olfactory receptor activity, and immune response. Finally, 39.1% of the CNVs detected in our study were unique when compared with CNVRs identified in previous studies. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt to reveal and characterize the CNV landscape in PRE horses, and it contributes to our knowledge of CNVs in equines, thus facilitating the understanding of genetic and phenotypic variations in the species. However, further research is still needed to confirm if the CNVs observed in the PRE are also linked to variations in the specific phenotypical differences in the breed.
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Horse Clinical Cytogenetics: Recurrent Themes and Novel Findings. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11030831. [PMID: 33809432 PMCID: PMC8001954 DOI: 10.3390/ani11030831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical cytogenetic studies in horses have been ongoing for over half a century and clearly demonstrate that chromosomal disorders are among the most common non-infectious causes of decreased fertility, infertility, and congenital defects. Large-scale cytogenetic surveys show that almost 30% of horses with reproductive or developmental problems have chromosome aberrations, whereas abnormal karyotypes are found in only 2-5% of the general population. Among the many chromosome abnormalities reported in the horse, most are unique or rare. However, all surveys agree that there are two recurrent conditions: X-monosomy and SRY-negative XY male-to-female sex reversal, making up approximately 35% and 11% of all chromosome abnormalities, respectively. The two are signature conditions for the horse and rare or absent in other domestic species. The progress in equine genomics and the development of molecular tools, have qualitatively improved clinical cytogenetics today, allowing for refined characterization of aberrations and understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms. While cutting-edge genomics tools promise further improvements in chromosome analysis, they will not entirely replace traditional cytogenetics, which still is the most straightforward, cost-effective, and fastest approach for the initial evaluation of potential breeding animals and horses with reproductive or developmental disorders.
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Ghosh S, Carden CF, Juras R, Mendoza MN, Jevit MJ, Castaneda C, Phelps O, Dube J, Kelley DE, Varner DD, Love CC, Raudsepp T. Two Novel Cases of Autosomal Translocations in the Horse: Warmblood Family Segregating t(4;30) and a Cloned Arabian with a de novo t(12;25). Cytogenet Genome Res 2020; 160:688-697. [PMID: 33326979 DOI: 10.1159/000512206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We report 2 novel autosomal translocations in the horse. In Case 1, a breeding stallion with a balanced t(4p;30) had produced normal foals and those with congenital abnormalities. Of his 9 phenotypically normal offspring, 4 had normal karyotypes, 4 had balanced t(4p;30), and 1 carried an unbalanced translocation with tertiary trisomy of 4p. We argue that unbalanced forms of t(4p;30) are more tolerated and result in viable congenital abnormalities, without causing embryonic death like all other known equine autosomal translocations. In Case 2, two stallions produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer from the same donor were karyotyped because of fertility issues. A balanced translocation t(12q;25) was found in one, but not in the other clone. The findings underscore the importance of routine cytogenetic screening of breeding animals and animals produced by assisted reproductive technologies. These cases will contribute to molecular studies of translocation breakpoints and their genetic consequences in the horse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharmila Ghosh
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | | | - Rytis Juras
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Mayra N Mendoza
- Estación Experimental Agraria Chincha, Dirección de Recursos Genéticos y Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria, Ica, Peru
| | - Matthew J Jevit
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Caitlin Castaneda
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Olivia Phelps
- Powder River Veterinary Hospital & Supply, Kaycee, Wyoming, USA
| | - Jessie Dube
- Powder River Veterinary Hospital & Supply, Kaycee, Wyoming, USA
| | - Dale E Kelley
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Dickson D Varner
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Charley C Love
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Terje Raudsepp
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA,
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Affiliation(s)
- R. K. Gormley
- Equine Reproductive Services (UK) Limited Trigger Castle Malton North Yorkshire UK
| | - J. R. Crabtree
- Equine Reproductive Services (UK) Limited Trigger Castle Malton North Yorkshire UK
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Cytogenetic Mapping of 35 New Markers in the Alpaca ( Vicugna pacos). Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11050522. [PMID: 32397072 PMCID: PMC7288448 DOI: 10.3390/genes11050522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Alpaca is a camelid species of broad economic, biological and biomedical interest, and an essential part of the cultural and historical heritage of Peru. Recently, efforts have been made to improve knowledge of the alpaca genome, and its genetics and cytogenetics, to develop molecular tools for selection and breeding. Here, we report cytogenetic mapping of 35 new markers to 19 alpaca autosomes and the X chromosome. Twenty-eight markers represent alpaca SNPs, of which 17 are located inside or near protein-coding genes, two are in ncRNA genes and nine are intergenic. The remaining seven markers correspond to candidate genes for fiber characteristics (BMP4, COL1A2, GLI1, SFRP4), coat color (TYR) and development (CHD7, PAX7). The results take the tally of cytogenetically mapped markers in alpaca to 281, covering all 36 autosomes and the sex chromosomes. The new map assignments overall agree with human–camelid conserved synteny data, except for mapping BMP4 to VPA3, suggesting a hitherto unknown homology with HSA14. The findings validate, refine and correct the current alpaca assembly VicPac3.1 by anchoring unassigned sequence scaffolds, and ordering and orienting assigned scaffolds. The study contributes to the improvement in the alpaca reference genome and advances camelid molecular cytogenetics.
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