Fertility-Associated Polymorphism within Bovine ITGβ5 and Its Significant Correlations with Ovarian and Luteal Traits

Abstract

There is an urgent need to improve bovine fertility, and molecular marker-assisted selection (MAS) can accelerate this process. Genome-wide association studies suggest that Integrin β5 (ITGβ5) might affect fertility in bovines. As a member of the integrins family, ITGβ5 can bind to the extracellular matrix and mediate various cellular processes. In our study, primers spanning six potential insertion/deletion (indel) polymorphisms within the ITGβ5 gene were designed and 696 ovary samples from different individuals, the vast majority not in oestrum were collected for genetic variation detection. A deletion locus, rs522759246, namely P1-D13-bp, was found to be polymorphic. The allele D frequency was 0.152 and the polymorphism information content (PIC) value was 0.224, indicating a low-degree PIC. This locus did not follow the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (p = 1.200E-23). Importantly, associations between P1-D13-bp and ovarian morphological traits were established. Polymorphisms of this locus had significant correlations with ovarian width (p = 0.015). The corpus luteum is also linked to fertility and P1-D13-bp was significantly correlated with corpus luteum diameter (p = 0.005). In conclusion, an indel mutation within the bovine ITGβ5 gene was identified, which was significantly associated with several ovarian and luteal traits.

Bovine FRAS1: mRNA Expression Profile, Genetic Variations, and Significant Correlations with Ovarian Morphological Traits, Mature Follicle, and Corpus Luteum

“…Gonad development is closely related to female reproductive capacity, among which the dimension and weight of ovary play a crucial role in As reported, histology studies confirm that the follicles number and dimension, and the occurrence of atretic follicles, were related to ovarian weight and size of ovary in wild boar, so the macroscopic evaluation of ovaries is a valid method for the assessment of reproductive status [32]. Considering the importance of ovarian dimensions and follicular number on fertility, several candidate genes, including septin 7 [33], DENN domain containing 1A [34], integrin β5 [35], hydroxysteroid 17-beta dehydrogenase 3 (HSD17B3), and adenylate cyclase 5 (ADCY5) [30], which are closely related to fertility and regulate ovarian phenotypic traits, have been identified and verified based on candidate gene strategy.…”

Diversity of Mitochondrial DNA Haplogroups and Their Association with Bovine Antral Follicle Count

“…Considering the random sampling process, the potential effect of family structure and other genes were ignored in this study. Due to low fertility and breeding arrangements, all adult Chinese Holstein cows (5–6 years old) from the Guanzhong Plain were transported to the slaughterhouse for elimination [ 20 , 21 , 22 ]. Relevant morphological traits were recorded, including ovarian volumes (derived from the length, width, and height) and weight, the antral follicle count (number) and size (diameter ≥ 8 mm), and the corpus luteum (CL) types [ 20 , 21 , 22 ].…”

“…Due to low fertility and breeding arrangements, all adult Chinese Holstein cows (5–6 years old) from the Guanzhong Plain were transported to the slaughterhouse for elimination [ 20 , 21 , 22 ]. Relevant morphological traits were recorded, including ovarian volumes (derived from the length, width, and height) and weight, the antral follicle count (number) and size (diameter ≥ 8 mm), and the corpus luteum (CL) types [ 20 , 21 , 22 ]. Morphological phenotypic traits were measured by using a Vernier caliper or a double ruler ( Supplementary Figure S1 ).…”