Bovine thyroglobulin gene polymorphisms and their association with sexual precocity in Guzerat bulls

FERNANDEZ M.E.; LOAIZA ECHEVERRI M.; HENRY MRJM; DRUMMOND M.; ANDRADE DE OLIVEIRA D.A.; DEMYDA PEYRÁS S.; CUNHA CARDOSO D.; GIOVAMBATTISTA G; LIRÓN J.P.

ANIMAL BIOTECHNOLOGY

TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2017

1049-5398

Puberty is a stage of sexual development determined by the interaction of environmental factors and genetic mechanisms. Among them, thyroid function, which plays a key role in sexual development and spermatogenic function, it is under the control of several genes, including the well described thyroglobulin gene (TG). Previous reports showed a genetic association between thyroid function and selected SNPs in taurine cattle. Therefore, the identification of genetic mechanisms involved in the regulation of this trait can assist with the selection for early pubertal bulls, thus improving genetic progress in livestock breeding. Therefore, the aim of this study was to validate an association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in the thyroglobulin (TG) gene and age at puberty in zebuine bulls. To this end, three SNPs (rs110406764, rs109662686, rs109057985) were genotyped in 159 Guzerat animals using SEQUENOM technology. The possible association between genetic markers and age at puberty was determined. Results showed a significant association (P