Genetic polymorphism of SRD5A2 gene and its associations with reproductive traits in Hu sheep
CANG Zhen;LIU Xin;MENG Xuming;XIE Jing;MAO Dagan;The expression of steroid 5-alpha reductase type 2(SRD5A2) in animal reproductive system is closely correlated with germ cell maturation and embryo survival. To investigate the impact of SRD5A2 gene variations on the reproductive performance of Hu sheep, ear tissues were collected from 384 individuals for DNA extraction. Pooled PCR and Mass ARRAY genotyping were applied to screen the single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) in SRD5A2 gene, assess its genetic diversity, and analyze the association with litter size and lambing interval. Results showed that four SNPs were found within the 3'UTR of SRD5A2 gene: g. 46 935 A>G, g. 48 348 A>G, g. 48 388 A>T, and g. 48 746 A>G, in each of 4 loci three genotypes were detected, respectively, and in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. At g. 48 388 A>T locus, AA genotypes had a significantly higher litter size from parities 1-2, and 1-3 than AT genotypes. At g. 48 746 A>G locus, AG genotypes produced a significantly higher litter size in the 4 th parity than GG genotypes and AA genotypes exhibited a significantly shorter lambing interval between parities 2-3 than GG genotypes. Moreover, 4 haplotypes and 5 diplotypes were detected in 4 SNPs, and individuals with diplotypes H3H4(GGAATTAG) and H4H4(GGAATTGG) exhibited higher litter sizes. In conclusion, the g. 48 388 A>T and g. 48 746 A>G loci in SRD5A2 gene are associated with the reproductive traits and could be the molecular markers in the marker-assisted selection in Hu sheep.
Comparative analysis of quality and lipidomics of prior to-and post-freezing sperms of Huaibei grey donkeys
LIU Yao;DIAO Zhengyu;WANG Xiang;XU Changzhi;WU Sucheng;ZHU Zhihua;ZONG Yanfeng;LI Haonan;XU Anbang;FENG Jiajing;SONG Yongkang;ZHANG Yunhai;CAO Zubing;National Animal Husbandry Station;This study aimed to evaluate the effects of freezing on sperm quality in Huabei gray donkeys. Fresh semen was collected from three healthy adult Huabei gray donkeys and cryopreserved using a programmable freezing protocol. The samples were divided into a fresh semen group and a frozen-thawed semen group. Dynamic changes in motility,kinematic parameters,and lipidomics of sperms were investigated for sperms prior to-and post-freezing, post-thawing kept at different temperatures and under varying storage conditions,and key differential lipid molecules associated with cryodamage were identified. The results showed that compared to the fresh semen group, sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity,DNA integrity, and kinematic parameters significantly decreased in the frozen-thawed group(P<0. 05). The frozen semen thawing protocol of 40 ℃ for 15 seconds can maintain the optimal motility of sperm; the viability is the highest when preserved in vitro at 4 ℃ for 3 hours(P<0. 05); lipidomic analysis showed that there are 170 differential lipids between the ultra-low temperature frozen group and the fresh semen group(VIP>1,P<0. 05), and the membrane structure-related lipids in the ultra-low temperature frozen group are significantly upregulated compared with the fresh semen group(P<0. 05). indicates that sperm cryoinjury is associated with lipid metabolism disruption.
Research on cryopreservation technology of livestock semen
ZHAO Chengyu;DU Pengju;GAO Qin;WANG Daxiang;LU Honghui;ZHANG Yanli;WANG Ziyu;Semen cryopreservation technology is a key technique for preserving excellent male livestock germplasm resources and promoting the development of modern animal husbandry. This review systematically summarizes the research progress of this technology: it outlines the mechanisms of damage caused by freezing to sperm motility, plasma membrane and acrosome structure, and fertilizing ability, and emphasizes the central role played by oxidative stress; It compares the principles and application limitations of mainstream methods such as slow freezing, vitrification and freeze-drying. The research progress on key additives in semen extenders is discussed, including the roles of various antioxidants(enzymes, vitamins, plant extracts and nanomaterials), sugars, buffers and cryoprotectants(glycerol, egg yolk, novel antifreeze proteins) in improving post-thaw sperm quality. Although this technology has become increasingly mature, effectively inhibiting ice crystal formation, precisely regulating oxidative stress, and optimizing individualized freezing protocols remain critical challenges to be breakthrough in future research.
Research advances in epigenetic modifications influencing the spermatogenesis process in livestock
LIU Chunjiang;PANG Jing;SHEN Yifei;WEI Zongyou;YANG Hua;Spermatogenesis determines the reproductive capacity of male livestock. This review summarizes the regulatory roles of epigenetic modifications in the spermatogenesis process of livestock, with a focused analysis on the research progress regarding the involvement of three major types of modifications—DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs—in key stages such as spermatogonial stem cell renewal, meiosis, and sperm maturation. It introduces how epigenetic factors play crucial roles in spermatogenesis and the maintenance of male fertility by regulating gene expression, chromatin remodeling and transposon silencing. Furthermore, the review prospects the application potential of multi-omics technologies and epigenetic editing techniques in future breeding programs, aiming to provide a theoretical basis and novel insights for in-depth research into the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying male livestock reproductive efficiency.
Cloning and expression of the BECN1 gene in Ganjia sheep
QI Xingcai;WU Yi;WANG Huihui;MA Youji;This study aims to analyze the sequence characteristics of BECN1 in Ganjia sheep and its expression and distribution patterns in the testis. Healthy male Ganjia sheep at three developmental stages, three months(pre-sexual maturity), one year(sexual maturity) and three years(adulthood), were selected, with three individuals per group, and the complete coding sequence(CDS) of BECN1 was cloned. Bioinformatics software was used to analyze its features. Western blot was employed to detect BECN1 expression in testicular tissues across the three developmental stages. The results revealed that the CDS region of the BECN1 gene in Ganjia sheep is 1 347 bp in length, encoding 448 amino acids, predominantly composed of α-helices and random coil, lacking a signal peptide. BECN1 is highly conserved among different mammalian species. BECN1 protein expression stabilized after sexual maturity, with significantly higher levels in the 1-year and 3-year groups compared to the 3-month group(P<0. 01). In conclusion, the BECN1 gene may play a role in regulating testicular development and spermatogenesis in Ganjia sheep, which providing important insights into the mechanisms of autophagy-mediated testicular development.
Determination of production performance and construction of growth curve model for plateau-type Tibetan sheep in Qinghai
LI Taichun;MA Shike;JIN Xiayang;MA Yuhong;SUN Wu;The experiment aims to scientifically assess the growth performance of Tibetan sheep and construct a growth curve model for Tibetan sheep on the Qinghai Plateau, providing a theoretical basis for the breeding and management of Tibetan sheep in plateau regions. In a breeding farm in Gangcha county, Haibei prefecture, Qinghai province, 40 randomly selected newborn lambs(20 ♂ and 20 ♀) were used to determine the measurements of body weight, body height, body length and chest circumference at 1 st, 3 rd, 4 th, 5 th and 6 th month of age. Correlation analysis and polynomial regression modeling were conducted using Python, and the model performance was evaluated through 5-fold cross-validation. The results suggested that the growth performance measurements of Plateau-type Tibetan sheep in Qinghai increased with aging by months, and that body weight was significantly positively correlated with body height, body length, and chest circumstances(correlation coefficients are 0. 84, 0. 84 and 0. 78, respectively). The polynomial regression model was constructed as: Y = 7. 59 + 0. 35A + 0. 19H + 0. 05L + 0. 002C, where y is for body weight, A is for month age, H is for body height, L is for length, and C is for chest circumference. The goodness of fit(R2) of this model is 0. 656 7, demonstrating good predictive capability and generalization performance. In summary, the growth curve model established in this study can be used to predict the growth performance of plateau-type Tibetan sheep in Qinghai.
Tracking the information about your manuscript
Communicate with the editorial office
Query manuscript payment status Edit officeCollecting, editing, reviewing and other affairs offices
Managing manuscripts
Managing author information and external review Expert Information Expert officeOnline Review
Online Communication with the Editorial Department
Downloads
Expert Spotlight
Page Views
Page visits today: 12
Sow Batch Production | Paper
Research advances in single fixed-time artificial insemination in sows Practical exploration of batch production to improve reproduction efficiency in sows Carbetocin-induced synchronous daytime parturition in sows Research progress in estrus induction and detection in pigs
Album Embryo Production in Sheep
Album Gamete and Embryonic Development
Album Dairy Breeding Techniques
Album Bovine Embryo Transfer