A systems biology framework integrating GWAS and RNA-seq to shed light on the molecular basis of sperm quality in swine.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Genetic pressure in animal breeding is sparking the interest of breeders for selecting elite boars with higher sperm quality to optimize ejaculate doses and fertility rates. However, the molecular basis of sperm quality is not yet fully understood. Our aim was to identify candidate genes, pathways and DNA variants associated to sperm quality in swine by analysing 25 sperm-related phenotypes and integrating genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and RNA-seq under a systems biology framework.

Results

By GWAS, we identified 12 quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated to the percentage of head and neck abnormalities, abnormal acrosomes and motile spermatozoa. Candidate genes included CHD2, KATNAL2, SLC14A2 and ABCA1. By RNA-seq, we identified a wide repertoire of mRNA

SUBMITTER: Godia M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7724732 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature