Project description:Using Illumina® BovineHD Genotyping BeadChip assay, we applied single sperms genotyping from one single Holstein bull to preliminarily describe its recombination map. We received 56 single sperms with qualified genotype information and totally detected 1,526 autosomal crossovers.
Project description:The aim of this study was to measure the impact of contrasting feeding regimes in the first 12 wk of life, known to impact age at puberty on the molecular control of the testes in bull calves. Holstein bull calves were designated to high (HI; n=15) or moderate (MOD; n=15) dietary groups, with diets designed to provoke growth rates of 1.0 and 0.5 kg/day, respectively. At 12 wk of age, all calves were euthanized, and testes parenchyma harvested. RNA was extracted from the testes and used for miRNAseq. Bioinformatic analysis identified 7 miRNA as differentially expressed between the HI and MOD treatment groups, with target mRNA genes invovled in pathways related to AMPK and IGF-1 signaling.
Project description:It has been established that enhanced early life nutrition progresses sexual development in the bull calf through neuroendocrine signalling via the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms regulating this process have not been fully elucidated. This study measured the impact of contrasting feeding regimes in the first 12 wk of life, known to impact age at puberty, on the proteomic landscape of the testes of bull calves. Holstein bull calves with a mean (±SD) bodyweight and age of 48.8 (± 5.3) kg and 17.5 (± 2.8) days, were designated to high (HI; n=10) or moderate (MOD; n=10) dietary groups, with diets designed to provoke growth rates of 1.0 and 0.5 kg/day, respectively. At 12 wk of age, all calves were euthanized, and testes parenchyma harvested. HI calves were heavier at slaughter (112.4 v 88.7 (2.98) kg, P<0.001), and had a greater average daily gain (ADG) of (0.88 v 0.58 kg, P<0.001). The turquoise network from the protein analyses contained the protein CDH13 which is involved in testes development. Gene ontology analysis of the turquoise network revealed enrichment of genes with functions related to cholesterol biosynthesis, IGF-1 signalling, insulin receptor/secretion signalling, androgen signalling and Sertoli cell junction signalling.
Project description:High fertility and low fertility bulls were screened from the a 6000 bull database and then identify the sperm-derived DMR and DMC that assoiated with bull ferrtility via whole genome methtlation sequencing
Project description:The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of early calf-hood nutrition on the transcriptomic profile of the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus, the anterior pituitary and the testes in Holstein-Friesian bulls and possible downstream effects on reproduction. Holstein Friesian bull calves with a mean (±S.D.) age and bodyweight of 19 (±8.2) days and 47.5 (±5.3) kg, respectively, were assigned to either a high (n=10) or low (n=10) plane of nutrition. Calves were fed in order to achieve an overall growth rate of 1.2 and 0.5 kg/day for the high and low plane of nutrition treatments, respectively. At 126 days of age, the bulls were euthanized using an intravenous overdose of sodium pentobarbitone and arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus, anterior pituitary and the parenchyma of the testes tissue samples were harvested and RNAseq analysis was performed. At the end of the trial period,
Project description:Pre-pubertal Holstein bull calves fed a higher plane of nutrition had larger testes, earlier puberty, higher serum LH, testosterone and greater sperm production potential than those fed a restricted diet. In addition, pre-pubertal calves fed a high-nutrition diet had higher IGF-I and more proliferating and differentiating Sertoli cells much earlier in life, compared to those fed normal or low-nutrition diets. The objective was to determine changes in mRNA expression of genes in the testes of bulls fed either a high or low pre-pubertal diet. Holstein bull calves maintained on either a high (20% crude protein (CP) and 71.6% Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN)) or low (12% CP and 64.4% TDN) diet from 2 wk of age, were castrated at 8, 16, 24 and 32 wk and testicular mRNA extracted and sequenced. Differential expression of genes mainly occurred at 16 and 24 wk, with minor changes detected at 32 wk. At 16 wks, functional analysis of DE mRNA with DAVID revealed the common biological processes enriched to be "cholesterol" and "fatty acid biosynthesis" with majority of the genes including HMGCR, HMGCS1, HSD17 being upregulated in high-diet bulls (P<0.05). Major pathways enriched at 16 wks were "cholesterol biosynthesis", "steroid metabolism" and "activation of gene expression by Sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)" (P<0.05). Mature Sertoli cell marker Connexin 43, was upregulated at 16 wk, whereas an immature Sertoli cell marker, AMH was downregulated at 24 wk, in the high-diet group. Network analysis using IPA, revealed an indirect interaction between insulin family receptor and most upregulated cholesterol biosynthesis genes, implying regulation of testicular function. Thus, enhanced pre-pubertal nutrition in Holstein bulls enhanced testicular cholesterol/steroid biosynthesis and Sertoli cell maturation to promote early reproductive development.
Project description:Pregnancy rates for elite bulls used in artificial insemination (AI) can vary significantly and therefore the identification of molecular markers for bull fertility and targets to improve bull selection is important. β-defensins are peptides with diverse regulatory roles in sperm function across multiple species. To explore the functional impact of DEFB103 CNV on the uterine response in vivo, 18 heifers were inseminated with sperm from bulls categorized by low, intermediate, and high CN levels. Transcriptomic analysis of uterine tissue collected 12 hours after insemination revealed significant differential expression of 58 genes (FDR<0.1) related to sperm migration, immune signaling, and chemotaxis. These findings highlight the significant role of DEFB103 CN in both sperm function and the uterine response to bull sperm, suggesting its potential influence on pregnancy outcomes in cattle.