Candidate gene for age at puberty in Angus bulls: association study targeting 41 candidate genes with 69 SNPs

FERNANDEZ M. E.; LIRON J. P.; PRANDO A.; GOSZCZYNSKI D. E.; ROGBERG MUÑOZ A.; PERAL GARCIA P.; BALDO A.; GIOVAMBATTISTA G.

Xi´an

Congreso; 34th Conference of the International Society of Animal Genetics (ISAG); 2014

ISAG

In bovine, there are significant differences among and within breeds in the time when bulls reach puberty. Reported data indicate that age at puberty has a strong genetic component and is a multigenic trait. However, despite the significant advancements in the field, the gene network controlling puberty is very complex, containing a host of genes that exert their effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, and several aspects of regulation of the HPG axis are yet to be fully elucidated. The objective of this work was to associate 69 SNPs from 41 candidate genes, belonging to lipid metabolism and growth pathways, with age at puberty in bulls. Angus males (N = 276) were weighted and scrotal circumference measured every month. When the first bull calves reached 26 cm of scrotal circumference, sperm quality was added to the monthly measurements for the next three months. The SNPs were genotyped using SEQUENOM technology and the obtained genotypes were associated with four estimated age at puberty (age at scrotal circumference 28 cm?SC28-, age at sperm concentration 50 million -C50-, age at 10% of progressive motility ?M10-, age at C50 + M10). Results showed that SNP rs110383592 in FABP4 was associated with SC28, while a novel SNP in PPARG 5´UTR region was associated with C50. In addition, four SNPs located in 3´UTR region of TG gene were significant associated with age at puberty estimated at C50. Further analysis in independent populations would be necessary to validate these associations, and to confirm the role of these genes in the onset of bull puberty. The results obtained could contribute to the understanding of puberty regulation.