ARS | Publication request: Polymorphisms of the bovine DAZL gene are associated with male fertility

Submitted to: Plant and Animal Genome Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 5, 2007
Publication Date: January 12, 2008
Citation: Liu, W., Wang, A., Zhang, H. 2008. Polymorphisms of the bovine DAZL gene are associated with male fertility [abstract]. Plant and Animal Genome Conference. p. 162.

Technical Abstract: The Deleted in AZoospermia Like (DAZL) gene is a member of the DAZ family and encodes a RNA binding protein. In humans, there are five highly related members in the DAZ family. Four (DAZ1-4) are on the Y-chromosome, and one (DAZL), on an autosome. Mutations in these genes have been linked to severe spermatogenic failure and infertility in man. We have recently confirmed that there is no DAZ gene on Y-chromosome, but a DAZL gene on chromosome 1 (BTA1) in bovine. We have identified 16 SNPs in the bovine DAZL gene. An association study among bulls from four groups of high fertility (high non-return rate), low fertility (low non-return rate), sub-fertility, and infertility has indicated that these SNPs and their haplotypes are significantly correlated with bull fertility. Our data suggest the bovine DAZL SNPs can be potentially used in marker-assisted selection (MAS) for male fertility in cattle breeding programs. This work was supported by USDA, CSREES to WSL (No. 2005-35205-15455).