Genome-Wide Association Study Demonstrates the Role Played by the CD226 Gene in Rasa Aragonesa Sheep Reproductive Seasonality

Abstract

A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was used to identify genomic regions influencing seasonality reproduction traits in Rasa Aragonesa sheep. Three traits associated with either ovarian function based on blood progesterone levels (total days of anoestrus and progesterone cycling months) or behavioral signs of oestrous (oestrous cycling months) were studied. The GWAS included 205 ewes genotyped using the 50k and 680k Illumina Ovine Beadchips. Only one SNP associated with the progesterone cycling months overcame the genome-wide significance level (rs404991855). Nine SNPs exhibited significant associations at the chromosome level, being the SNPs rs404991855 and rs418191944, that are located in the CD226 molecule (CD226) gene, associated with the three traits. This gene is related to reproductive diseases. Two other SNPs were located close to the neuropeptide Y (NPY) gene, which is involved in circadian rhythms. To validate the GWAS, partial characterization of both genes by Sanger sequencing, and genotyping of two synonymous and two nonsynonymous SNPs in the NPY and CD226 genes, respectively, were performed. SNP association analysis showed that only SNP rs404360094 in the exon 3 of the CD226 gene, which produces an amino acid substitution from asparagine (uncharged polar) to aspartic acid (acidic), was associated with the three seasonality traits. Our results suggest that the CD226 gene may be involved in the reproductive seasonality in Rasa Aragonesa.

Whole genome re-sequencing reveals artificial and natural selection for milk traits in East Friesian sheep

“…The candidate genes B4GALNT4 ( 33 ) involved in lactose synthesis, RCOR1 ( 34 ) related to milk yield and SH3D19 related to lactation process in sheep were also identified ( 35 ). In addition, our results contain a large number of candidate genes related to production traits, such as reproductive trait candidates: FSIP2 ( 17 ), CD226 ( 36 ), SLC44A5 ( 37 ), GPR83 ( 38 ), SUN5 ( 39 ), GPR173 ( 40 ), LHX8 ( 41 ), SIRT3 ( 42 ), FGF16 ( 43 ), POU3F4 ( 44 ), these genes affect reproductive traits by influencing days of estrus, luteal gland, participating in reproductive regulation, and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis regulation. For example, the candidate genes for wool traits: RALY ( 45 ), GLI2 ( 46 ), TXNRD3 ( 47 ), EIF2S2 ( 45 ), IRF2BP2 ( 48 ), etc.…”

Impact of protein source from legume forages on lipid regulation and growth on native ram lambs reared extensively in the south coast of West Java, Indonesia

“…Although LPL causes an increase in the availability of free fatty acids (FFA) due to TAG catabolism, these fatty acids do not immediately circulate in the blood. Still, they are used by muscle cells and other tissues for tissue biosynthesis (Lakhssassi et al 2021). Several research reports also show that this increase in free fatty acids simultaneously stimulates β-oxidation activity (Hernawan et al 2017;Toral et al 2022) and the formation of acetyl-CoA from the fatty acid pathway (Lakhssassi et al 2021), as well as increases oxidation-reduction activity in mitochondria (Mushawwir et al 2021a;Mushawwir et al 2021b).…”

“…Still, they are used by muscle cells and other tissues for tissue biosynthesis (Lakhssassi et al 2021). Several research reports also show that this increase in free fatty acids simultaneously stimulates β-oxidation activity (Hernawan et al 2017;Toral et al 2022) and the formation of acetyl-CoA from the fatty acid pathway (Lakhssassi et al 2021), as well as increases oxidation-reduction activity in mitochondria (Mushawwir et al 2021a;Mushawwir et al 2021b). This metabolic fact can also be why a decrease in TAG is accompanied by a decrease in NEFA based on the results of this study (84.36 without legume to 69.43,71.57,and 72.31 with BS+K,BS+L,and BS+M,respectively).…”

“…Several previous researchers have also demonstrated the quantification of genes related to lipid homeostasis in pig cells by administering high protein in rations, among others (Adriani and Mushawwir 2020;Kharazi et al 2022) that there was a decrease in the expression of the steroid receptor element binding protein-1 (SREBP-1) gene. The study by Lakhssassi et al (2021) showed a decrease in the expression of proliferator peroxisome-activated receptor- (PPAR-) with higher protein consumption. The SREBP-1 and PPAR- decrease with low protein consumption, which decreases the rate of lipogenesis, leading to decreased organ growth.…”

“…The results of studies using various legumes as protein sources for sheep have been widely reported by Lakhssassi et al (2021). Still, no research shows the impact of feeding protein sources on sheep lipid regulation.…”