Investigation on Association and Expression of ESR2 as a Candidate Gene for Boar Sperm Quality and Fertility

Abstract

ESR2 is involved in oestrogen-related apoptosis in cell cycle spermatogenesis but their effects have not yet confirmed in pig. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the association of ESR2 polymorphism with sperm quality and boar fertility traits and to analyse the ESR2 mRNA and protein expressions in boar reproductive tissues. DNA samples from 203 Pietrain (PI) and 100 Pietrain × Hampshire (PIHA) pigs with records of sperm quality [sperm concentration (SCON), motility (MOT), semen volume (VOL), plasma droplet rate (PDR) and abnormal spermatozoa rate (ASR)] and fertility [non-return rate (NRR) and number of piglet born alive (NBA)] traits were available. A SNP in coding region of ESR2 g.35547A>G in exon 5 was associated with MOT and PDR in the PI and with SCON, VOL, MOT and PDR in PIHA population. For mRNA and protein expression study, a total of six boars were divided into two groups with group I (G-I) and group II (G-II) where G-I characterized for relatively a better sperm quality according to the mean of two groups. mRNA expression was higher in brain and testis than that in all parts of epididymis. Both qRT-PCR and western blot analysis revealed that the ESR2 gene expression and protein expression were significantly higher in testis collected from G-II compared with that of G-I boars. Moreover, ESR2 protein localization in germ cell, Leydig and Sertoli cells, epithelial cells and spermatozoa was remarkable, which indicated the important role of ESR2 in spermatogenesis process. These results might shed new light on the roles of ESR2 in spermatogenesis as candidate for boar fertility, but still the lack of association across populations should be considered.

SNP g.1007A>G within the porcine DNAL4 gene affects sperm motility traits and percentage of midpiece abnormalities

“…Furthermore, the data indicate effects of SNP g.1007A>G on the three motility traits and the trait AM. This is in contrast to other studies that have claimed associations between SNP on both motility and plasma droplet rate at the same time, that is SNP g.672C>T in ESR1 (Gunawan et al., ), SNP g.35547A>G) in ESR2 (Gunawan et al., ), SNP g.358A>T in the CD9 gene (Kaewmala et al., ). Further, Lin et al.…”

“…Xing et al (2009) have detected 14 suggestive QTL for semen and ejaculation traits, and a SNP within the coding region of the oestrogen receptor 1 gene (ESR1) has been associated with sperm motility (Gunawan et al, 2011). Later the oestrogen receptor 2 gene (ESR2), located on SSC1, has further been proposed as candidate gene for boar fertility (Gunawan et al, 2012). Finally,SNP (g.358A>T) in the Tetraspanin-29-gene (CD9) located on SSC5q25 (Yubero et al, 2003) has been identified as QTL for sperm motility, plasma droplet rate and abnormal spermatozoa rate by Kaewmala et al (2011).…”

Whole genome detection of signature of positive selection in African cattle reveals selection for thermotolerance

“…ESR2 belongs to the nuclear receptor family of transcription factors involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis. It is associated with sperm quality and fertility traits in boars (Gunawan et al 2012). SERPINA6, HOXC12 and HOXC13 are directly or indirectly involved in reproduction pathways and are previously reported to be under selection in an African indigenous cattle (Makina et al 2015).…”

Preliminary study of FMO1, FMO5, CYP21, ESR1, PLIN2 and SULT2A1 as candidate gene for compounds related to boar taint

“…Since the genotype segregated into 3 genotypes, we convinced that these associations as reliable. Large differences between frequencies of ESRs have reported previously (Gunawan et al, 2011(Gunawan et al, , 2012 in pigs. The high genetic correlations between androstenone and these fertility related hormones are needed to be taken into account while considering selection against boar taint.…”