RESUMO

Sperm motility and kinematics analysis are important to predict bull fertility. However, there are other molecules in the sperm with the ability to improve the pregnancy rate. For example, PLCZ1 is a sperm protein that plays a unique role in the activation of the zygote and is important for the survival of the embryo. The objective of this work was to compare the expression of PLCZ1 mRNA in sperm cells of Chihuahuan Criollo and European bulls in the winter and summer seasons, under a low-input system. Six (3.33 ± 0.43 years old) bulls (three Criollo, three European) were used. Gross and individual motility were measured in semen obtained by electrostimulation. The cell pack was pelletized by centrifugation and stored in liquid nitrogen. The sperm cells were purified and total RNA was extracted. cDNA was synthesized to perform qPCR and measure the relative level of PLCZ1 transcripts in each bull. There were no differences in individual motility, however, gross motility was lower (P < 0.05) in Criollo bulls, both in the winter (71.1 ± 2.8 vs. 76.6 ± 2.8%) and in the summer season (58.9 ± 2.8 vs. 77.7 ± 2.8%). PLCZ1 expression was 5.3 times higher (P < 0.05) in winter than in summer (5.09 ± 1.09 vs 0.959 ± 1.09). No difference (P>0.05) was found in the expression levels of PLCZ1 between both breeds (4.36 ± 1.09 vs 1.69 ± 1.09), for Criollo and European, respectively. Although the animals presented seminal motility within the recommended limits for insemination, the expression levels of PLCZ1 vary depending on the time of the year and this might impact the rate of successful pregnancies. Therefore, it is important to complement conventional analysis of seminal quality with molecular characteristics.

RESUMO

This study analyzed the Sardo Negro breed pedigree (41,521 animals registered from 1958 to 2019) to determine its structure, evolution, and genetic variability (GV). The population genetic parameters evaluated were effective number of founders (fe) and ancestors (fa), pedigree integrity, additive genetic relationship (AGR); number of complete generations (NCG), maximum generations traced (NMGT), and equivalent complete generations (NECG); effective population size (Ne), inbreeding coefficient (F), and generation interval (GI). The average GI was 7.45 years. A total of 7,804 founders and 4,856 ancestors were identified for a fe of 185 and a fa of 97. The average and maximum values of NCG, NECG, and NMGT were 1.6 and 5.0, 2.5 and 6.5, 4.3 and 12, with Ne estimates of 15.9, 25.9, and 69.0, respectively. The increase in F, linked to Ne, ranged from 0.72% to 3.1% per generation. The average values for F and AGR were 3.6% and 1.0%, respectively. The proportion of inbred individuals was 32.0%, with F values ranging from 0.01 to 62.2% and an average of 11.3%. The rate of inbred population was 1.3% per year. The annual rate of AGR was 0.04%. For the continuity and projection of the breed, the evolution of F as a function of Ne and the possible implications of the selection schemes must be considered. The genetic variability sustained over time results from the Ne.

Os objetivos deste estudo foram analisar o pedigree (41.521 registros de 1958 a 2019) da raça Sardo Negro para avaliar a estrutura, evolução e variabilidade genética (VG) da população. Os parâmetros genéticos populacionais utilizados foram: número efetivo de fundadores (fe) e ancestrais (fa); integridade do pedigree; relação genética aditiva (RGA); número de gerações completas (NGC), máximo plotado (NGT) e equivalentes (NGE); tamanho efetivo (Ne); consanguinidade (F); intervalo geracional (IG). O IG médio foi de 7,45 anos. Foram identificados 7.804 fundadores e 4.856 ancestrais, para fe 185 e 97 na fa. As médias e máximas para NGC, NGE e NGT foram 1,6 e 5,0, 2,5 e 6,5, 4,3 e 12, com estimativas de Ne 15,9, 25,9 e 69,0, respectivamente. O aumento de F, vinculado ao Ne, ficou na faixa de 0,72% a 3,1% por geração. A média para F 3,6% e 1,0% em RGA; a proporção de consanguíneos foi de 32,0%, com F na faixa de 0,01 a 62,2% e média de 11,3%. A taxa da população consanguínea foi de 1,3% ao ano. No RGA, a taxa ao ano era de 0,04%. Para a continuidade e projeção da raça, deve-se considerar a evolução de F em função de Ne e as possíveis implicações dos esquemas de seleção. A variabilidade genética sustentada ao longo do tempo resulta do Ne.

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RESUMO

We investigated whether a panel of molecular markers previously associated with temperament has an effect on live growth traits. Phenotypic data from 412 Charolais cows categorized according to their age in adult and young cows were used to determine Pearson's correlations between birth (BW), weaning (WW), and yearling live (YW) weight and temperament traits (measured as exit velocity [EV] and temperament score [TS]). For association analysis, selective genotyping of a group of 80 cows identified as the most docile and temperamental were genotyped with a 151-SNP (single-nucleotide polymorphisms) panel of molecular markers previously associated with temperament. Significant Pearson's correlations between birth weight and weaning weight and the two temperament measurements (EV and TS) were observed only in the young cow group. Significant effects of ten SNP on BW and WW were observed. Four markers located on candidate genes for temperament traits also had an effect on birth weight and weaning weight in Charolais cows, which indicates that both traits could be influenced by the same genes.(AU)

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