Equine chorionic gonadotrophin production revealed by the analysis of transferrins and microsatellite alleles

EGLE E.VILLEGAS CASTAGNASSO, VERÓNICA IT, MIGUEL A RISSO, PILAR PERAL GARCÍA.

Porto Seguro

Congreso; 30th International Conference on Animal Genetics; 2006

International Society Of Animals Genetics

The production of equine Chorionic Gonadotropin (eCG) by the endometrial cups derived from the fetus appeared to be necessary for the establishment and maintenance of normal pregnancy. The development of endometrial cups produce a maternal cell mediated immune response to the fetal-placental unit, which is related with cups survival. Transferrin gene (Tf) has been associated with fertility and was consider as a key marker in reproduction traits. In the present study, the level of eCG production was determined by Enzyme Immune Assay (EIA) in 179 mares, during four consecutive years. In addition, polymorphisms of the transferrin gene and five microsatellite markers linked to the Equine Lymphocyte Antigens complex (ELA) were analyzed. The studied microsatellites were the following: LEX 14, LEX 64, LEX 52, UM 011 and VIASH 64. The relationship between a particular genetic profile and eCG production was assessed by the ANOVA test using the algorithm implemented in the software STATISTICA 5.5 for Widows. Significant associations were found between Tf, LEX 52 and UM 011 and production level. The obtained results could assist in the development of genetic testing that might improve the eCG production.