Dataset Information

Genetic Parameters of Semen Traits and Their Correlations with Conformation Traits in Chinese Holstein Bulls.

ABSTRACT: The elite bull plays an extremely important role in the genetic progression of the dairy cow population. The previous results indicated the potential positive relationship of large scrotal circumference (SC) with improved semen volume, concentration, and motility. In order to improve bull's semen quantity and quality by selection, it is necessary to estimate the genetic parameters of semen traits and their correlations with other conformation traits such as SC that could be used for an indirect selection. In this study, the genetic parameters of seven semen traits (n = 66,260) and nine conformation traits (n = 3,642) of Holstein bulls (n = 453) were estimated by using the bivariate repeatability animal model with the average information-restricted maximum likelihood (AI-REML) approach. The results showed that the estimated heritabilities of semen traits ranged from 0.06 (total number of motile sperm, TNMS) to 0.37 (percentage of abnormal sperm, PAS) and conformation traits ranged from 0.23 (pin width, PW) to 0.69 (hip height, HH). The highest genetic correlations were found between semen volume per ejaculation (SVPE), semen concentration per ejaculation (SCPE), total number of sperm (TNS), and TNMS traits that were 0.97, 0.98, 1.00, and 0.99, respectively. Phenotypic correlations between SC and SVPE, SCPE, TNS, and TNMS were 0.35, 0.35, 0.48, and 0.42, respectively. In summary, the moderate or high heritability of semen traits indicates that genetic improvement of semen quality by selection is feasible, where SC could be a useful trait for indirect selection or as correlated information to improve semen quantity and production in the practical bull breeding programs.

SUBMITTER: Wang X

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10843862 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Genetic Parameters of Semen Traits and Their Correlations with Conformation Traits in Chinese Holstein Bulls.

Wang Xiao X Yang Jian J Xue Jie J Zhang Miao M Zhang Fan F Wang Kun K Li Yanqin Y Zhang Yuanpei Y Wu Xiaoping X Wang Feng F Zhao Xiuxin X Ni Junqing J Ma Yabin Y Li Rongling R Wang Lingling L Su Guosheng G Gao Yundong Y Li Jianbin J

Veterinary medicine international 20240129

The elite bull plays an extremely important role in the genetic progression of the dairy cow population. The previous results indicated the potential positive relationship of large scrotal circumference (SC) with improved semen volume, concentration, and motility. In order to improve bull's semen quantity and quality by selection, it is necessary to estimate the genetic parameters of semen traits and their correlations with other conformation traits such as SC that could be used for an indirect ...[more]

PMID: 38318262

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Project description:BackgroundThe reduction in phenotypic performance of a population due to mating between close relatives is called inbreeding depression. The genetic background of inbreeding depression for semen traits is poorly understood. Thus, the objectives were to estimate the effect of inbreeding and to identify genomic regions underlying inbreeding depression of semen traits including ejaculate volume (EV), sperm concentration (SC), and sperm motility (SM). The dataset comprised ~ 330 K semen records from ~ 1.5 K Holstein bulls genotyped with 50 K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) BeadChip. Genomic inbreeding coefficients were estimated using runs of homozygosity (i.e., FROH > 1 Mb) and excess of SNP homozygosity (FSNP). The effect of inbreeding was estimated by regressing phenotypes of semen traits on inbreeding coefficients. Associated variants with inbreeding depression were also detected by regressing phenotypes on ROH state of the variants.ResultsSignificant inbreeding depression was observed for SC and SM (p < 0.01). A 1% increase in FROH reduced SM and SC by 0.28% and 0.42% of the population mean, respectively. By splitting FROH into different lengths, we found significant reduction in SC and SM due to longer ROH, which is indicative of more recent inbreeding. A genome-wide association study revealed two signals positioned on BTA 8 associated with inbreeding depression of SC (p < 0.00001; FDR < 0.02). Three candidate genes of GALNTL6, HMGB2, and ADAM29, located in these regions, have established and conserved connections with reproduction and/or male fertility. Moreover, six genomic regions on BTA 3, 9, 21 and 28 were associated with SM (p < 0.0001; FDR < 0.08). These genomic regions contained genes including PRMT6, SCAPER, EDC3, and LIN28B with established connections to spermatogenesis or fertility.ConclusionsInbreeding depression adversely affects SC and SM, with evidence that longer ROH, or more recent inbreeding, being especially detrimental. There are genomic regions associated with semen traits that seems to be especially sensitive to homozygosity, and evidence to support some from other studies. Breeding companies may wish to consider avoiding homozygosity in these regions for potential artificial insemination sires.

Project description:BackgroundThe body conformation traits of dairy cattle are closely related to their production performance and health. The present study aimed to identify gene variants associated with body conformation traits in Chinese Holstein cattle and provide marker loci for genomic selection in dairy cattle breeding. These findings could offer robust theoretical support for optimizing the health of dairy cattle and enhancing their production performance.ResultsThis study involved 586 Chinese Holstein cattle and used the predicted transmitting abilities (PTAs) of 17 body conformation traits evaluated by the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding in the USA as phenotypic values. These traits were categorized into body size traits, rump traits, feet/legs traits, udder traits, and dairy characteristic traits. On the basis of the genomic profiling results from the Genomic Profiler Bovine 100 K SNP chip, genotype data were quality controlled via PLINK software, and 586 individuals and 80,713 SNPs were retained for further analysis. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) were conducted via GEMMA software, which employs both univariate linear mixed models (LMMs) and multivariate linear mixed models (mvLMMs). The Bonferroni method was used to determine the significance threshold, identifying gene variants significantly associated with body conformation traits in Chinese Holstein cattle. The single-trait GWAS identified 24 SNPs significantly associated with body conformation traits (P < 0.01), with annotation leading to the identification of 21 candidate genes. The multi-trait GWAS identified 54 SNPs, which were annotated to 57 candidate genes, including 39 new SNPs not identified in the single-trait GWAS. Additionally, 14 SNPs in the 86.84-87.41 Mb region of chromosome 6 were significantly associated with multiple traits, such as body size, udder, and dairy characteristics. Four genes-SLC4A4, GC, NPFFR2, and ADAMTS3-were annotated in this region.ConclusionsA total of 63 SNPs were identified as significantly associated with 17 body conformation traits in Chinese Holstein cattle through both single-trait and multi-trait GWAS analyses. Sixty-six candidate genes were annotated, with 12 genes identified by both methods, such as SLC4A4, GC, NPFFR2, and ADAMTS3, which are involved in pathways such as growth hormone synthesis and secretion, sphingolipid signaling, and dopaminergic synapse pathways. These findings provide potential genetic marker information related to body conformation traits for the breeding of Chinese Holstein cattle.

Dataset Information

Genetic Parameters of Semen Traits and Their Correlations with Conformation Traits in Chinese Holstein Bulls.

Publications

Genetic Parameters of Semen Traits and Their Correlations with Conformation Traits in Chinese Holstein Bulls.

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