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ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Genetics and Animal Breeding » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #230017
Title: Quantitative Genomics of Male Reproduction

Author
item Casas, Eduardo
item Ford, Johny
item Rohrer, Gary

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/8/2009
Publication Date: 9/17/2010
Citation: Casas, E., Ford, J.J., Rohrer, G.A. 2010. Quantitative Genomics of Male Reproduction. In: Jiang, Z., and Ott, T. L., Editors. Reproductive Genomics in Domestic Animals. Ames, IA:Wiley-Blackwell. p. 53-66.

Interpretive Summary: This book chapter reviews and describes details on the identification of regions on the chromosomes where there is evidence that genes that influence male reproductive traits reside in livestock. The regions where these genes reside are located on chromosomes 3, 8, and X in swine, and on chromosome 5 in cattle. Discussion focuses on traits related to sperm production, testis size, age at puberty, sperm motility, and follicle-stimulant hormone production. It also includes a detailed account of the genes that have been associated with these traits. The potential for using molecular marker information to improve male reproduction is discussed.

Technical Abstract: The objective of the review was to establish the current status of quantitative genomics for male reproduction. Genetic variation exists for male reproduction traits. These traits are expensive and time consuming traits to evaluate through conventional breeding schemes. Genomics is an alternative to improve selection for male reproduction. Male reproduction traits include testis size, age at puberty, sperm motility, and follicle-stimulant hormone production. Limited information exists about chromosomal regions associated with male reproduction traits. Chromosomes 3, 8, and X have been observed to harbor genes influencing follicle-stimulant hormone in swine. In cattle, chromosome 5 has been identified as a chromosome where genes influencing follicle-stimulant hormones reside. Candidate gene approaches have been associated with sperm volume, sperm concentration, and sperm motility. However, these findings need to be verified. Further studies are needed to ascertain the existence of genes in the previously mentioned chromosomes, as well as in additional genomic regions in livestock.