Association of SNPs in GnRH gene with sperm quality traits of Chinese water buffalo

Abstract

Hypothalamic gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) controls the activity of hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis and plays a key role in the reproductive performance of animals. In this study, five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), namely g.991T > C, g.1041T > C g.3424T > C, g.3462C > A and g.3463Inde A, were detected in the GnRH gene of 162 water buffaloes by Sanger sequencing. Each SNP was associated with more than two sperm quality traits of ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, post‐thaw sperm motility and sperm abnormality. g.3424T > C and g.3462C > A were related to these four traits and had a remarkable effect on ejaculate volume. The three other SNPs were related to sperm concentration, post‐thaw sperm motility and sperm abnormality. Moreover, six haplotypes (H1: TCCAI, H2: CTTC‐, H3: TCCCI, H4: CTTA‐, H5: CCTA‐ and H6: CTCC‐) composed of five SNPs comprising seven different combined genotypes were generated by linkage disequilibrium analysis. Statistics followed by one‐way ANOVA indicated that water buffaloes with the haplotype combination H1H1 had the highest genotypic frequency, and those with the H4H4 haplotype combination had the highest ejaculate volume. The sperm concentration of those with haplotype combination H1H5 was higher than that of the other genotypes. In summary, our study showed a remarkable association between the SNPs of GnRH and sperm quality traits of Chinese water buffalo.

Association Analysis Between Polymorphism of Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone Genes and Growth Traits of Quail (Coturnix Coturnix)

“…Du QZ (2011) demonstrated that for A883G of GnRH gene, the original sperm activity of individuals with AB genotype was far higher than that with BB genotype in Holstein cattle, based on which, he deduced that A allele might be positively related with characteristics of original sperms. Wang et al (2020) found a remarkable association between the SNPs of GnRH and sperm quality traits of Chinese water buffalo. found a highly significant association between G840327C of the GnRH-I gene and age at first egg (AFE) (p<0.01) in a Chinese chicken population.…”

“…Hameed et al (2020) discussed influences of GnRH gene and short-term progesterone combined with electrocardiogram (ECG) on reproduction parameters of anestrous Beetal goat during the nonbreeding stage. Wang et al (2020) found a remarkable association between the SNPs of GnRH and sperm quality traits of Chinese water buffalo. found a highly significant association between G840327C of the GnRH-I gene and age at first egg (AFE) (p<0.01) , but no significant association was detected between G840327C and egg number at 300 days of age (p>0.05) in a Chinese chicken population.…”

Impact of Cryopreservation on Spermatozoa Freeze-Thawed Traits and Relevance OMICS to Assess Sperm Cryo-Tolerance in Farm Animals

“…Five SNP markers have been identified and are closely correlated with sperm freeze-thawed consistency and possible GnRH gene polymorphism in Chinese water buffalo. An association study found that g.3424T > C and g.3462C > A were used as high ejaculate volume markers, while g.991T > C, g.1041T > C, g.3424T > C, and g.3462C > A were used for decreasing sperm abnormality markers (115). Although evidence is present among the 3-UTR variants of the targeted mRNA, an association with semen quality has been shown (116).…”

GnRHR gene polymorphism and its correlation with semen quality in Buffalo bulls (Bubalus bubalis)

“…It was a study in Chinese water buffalo recorded a significant correlation between ejaculate volume of the sperm and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the GnRHR gene (12). Recently, another study in Chinese water buffalo by Wang et al (13) showed a significant association between the SNPs of GnRH and sperm quality. Therefore, the authors recommended the working on additional animal breeds to confirm whether the GnRH gene is the major gene that can influence semen qualities.…”