Effects of PRNP polymorphisms on sperm quality traits in Chinese Holstein bulls

Abstract

To analyze the associations of polymorphisms of prion protein gene (PRNP) with reproduction traits in Chinese Holstein bulls, significant statistical results are found in sperm quality traits between individuals with different 23-bp in-del, 12-bp in-del, and 24-bp in-del polymorphic genotypes. The individuals with 12-bp and 23-bp insertion polymorphisms had lower ejaculation volume, the number of straw frozen sperm once ejaculation and the number of straw per year than that of deletion polymorphisms at this two sites(p < 0.05). The individuals with 24-bp in-in genotype had lower number of straw per year than that of 24-bp in-del genotype (p < 0.050). These results showed the trend that resistant cattle PRNP genotypes possibly had negative effects on production traits in bulls. Therefore, this study provided possible molecular markers for bull breeding in resistance selection.