Bovine thyroglobulin gene polymorphisms and their association with sexual precocity in Guzerat bulls |
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Authors: | ME Fernández AM Loaiza Echeverri M Henry M Drummond DA Andrade de Oliveira S Demyda Peyrás D Cunha Cardoso G Giovambattista JP Liron |
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Institution: | 1. IGEVET – Instituto de Genética Veterinaria “Ing. Fernando N. Dulout” (UNLP‐CONICET LA PLATA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina;2. Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinarias, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil;3. Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil |
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Abstract: | Puberty is a stage of sexual development determined by the interaction of environmental factors and genetic mechanisms. Among them, thyroid function plays a key role in sexual development and spermatogenic function and is under the control of several genes, including the well‐described thyroglobulin gene (TG). Previous reports have shown genetic association between thyroid function and selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in taurine cattle. Therefore, the identification of genetic mechanisms involved in the regulation of this trait can assist with the selection for early pubertal bulls, thus improving genetic progress in livestock breeding. The aim of this study was to validate the association between TG SNPs and age at puberty in zebuine bulls. Three SNPs (rs110406764, rs109662686, rs109057985) were genotyped in 159 Guzerat animals using SEQUENOM technology. Results showed a significant association (p < .05) between the studied SNPs and puberty age, in agreement with our previous reports in a taurine breed. Interestingly, allele frequencies were different from those already reported, being GAT the most favourable allele for age at puberty in Guzerat (94.4 days lower). Overall, our findings corroborate previous reports and reinforce the importance of genetic influence in the regulation of sexual development and puberty through a thyroid pathway in zebuine cattle. |
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Keywords: | bovine genetic association polymorphism puberty thyroglobulin |
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