Blood transcriptome of Rasa Aragonesa rams with different sexual behavior phenotype reveals CRYL1 and SORCS2 as genes associated with this trait.

Reproductive fitness of rams is seasonal, showing the highest libido during short days coinciding with the ovarian cyclicity resumption in the ewe. However, the remarkable variation in sexual behavior between rams impair farm efficiency and profitability. Intending to identify in vivo sexual behavior biomarkers that may aid farmers to select active rams, transcriptome profiling of blood was carried out by analyzing samples from 6 sexually active (A) and 6 nonactive (NA) Rasa Aragonesa rams using RNA-Seq technique.

Characterization of the and hypothalamus transcriptome in female sheep under different reproductive stages.

For understanding the molecular events underlying the follicular (F) and luteal (L) phases of estrous cycle, and anestrous (A) phase, the (PT), and hypothalamus (HT) transcriptomes of 21 ewes were studied. In HT, 72 and 3 differential expression genes (DEGs) were found when comparing F A and L . A, respectively.

Exploring differentially expressed genes in hypothalamic, pars tuberalis and pineal gland transcriptomes in different sexual behavior phenotypes in rams using RNA-Seq.

Reproductive seasonality is a limiting factor in sheep production. Sexual behavior is a key element in reproductive efficiency, and this function is regulated by the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. To understand the mechanisms of sexual behavior, transcriptomic sequencing technology was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the hypothalamus (HT), pars tuberalis (PT) and pineal gland (PG) in Rasa Aragonesa rams with different sexual behavior.

Genome-Wide Association Study Demonstrates the Role Played by the Gene in Rasa Aragonesa Sheep Reproductive Seasonality.

A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was used to identify genomic regions influencing seasonality reproduction traits in Rasa Aragonesa sheep. Three traits associated with either ovarian function based on blood progesterone levels (total days of anoestrus and progesterone cycling months) or behavioral signs of oestrous (oestrous cycling months) were studied. The GWAS included 205 ewes genotyped using the 50k and 680k Illumina Ovine Beadchips.

The Gene Is Associated with Reproductive Seasonality Traits in Rasa Aragonesa Sheep.

The aim of this study was to characterize and identify causative polymorphisms in the () gene responsible for the seasonal variation of reproductive traits in sheep. Three reproductive seasonality traits were studied: the total days of anoestrous (TDA), the progesterone cycling months (P4CM) and the oestrous cycling months (OCM). In total, 18 SNPs were detected in 33 ewes with extreme values for TDA and OCM.

A new allele in the BMP15 gene (FecX) that affects prolificacy co-segregates with FecX and FecX in Rasa aragonesa sheep.

A FecX-mutated allele called FecX in the BMP15 gene has been described in Rasa aragonesa sheep. FecX causes increased prolificacy when heterozygous and sterility when homozygous in ewes. However, highly prolific ewes without the FecX allele have been found in this breed.

Ovine oocytes display a similar germinal vesicle configuration and global DNA methylation at prepubertal and adult ages.

Epigenetic mechanisms are thought to be involved in the reduced developmental capacity of early prepubertal ewe oocytes compared to their adult counterparts. In this study, we have analyzed the global DNA methylation pattern and in vitro meiotic and developmental competence of oocytes at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage obtained from adult and 3-month-old donors. All oocytes were aspirated from antral follicles with a diameter ≥3 mm, and DNA methylation on 5-methylcytosine was detected by immunofluorescence using an anti-methyl cytosine antibody.

Genome-wide association studies for reproductive seasonality traits in Rasa Aragonesa sheep breed.

Sheep breeds from Mediterranean area show reproductive seasonal patterns of oestrous behaviour and ovulatory activity, mainly regulated by variation in the photoperiod. Maximal reproductive activity is associated with short days from August to March. The aim of this study therefore was, to identify new SNPs and genes associated to reproductive seasonality in sheep by using the Illumina OvineSNP50 Beadchip.

BMP15 regulates the inhibin/activin system independently of ovulation rate control in sheep.

Polymorphisms in the gene encoding bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) have been associated with multiple ovulations in sheep. As BMP15 regulates inhibin expression in rodents, we assumed that the ovarian inhibin/activin system could mediate part of the effect of BMP15 mutations in the regulation of ovulation rate in sheep. To answer this question, we have studied the effects of two natural loss-of-function mutations of BMP15 on the expression of components of this system.

The Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 Up-Regulates the Anti-Müllerian Hormone Receptor Expression in Granulosa Cells.

Context: Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is produced by the granulosa cells (GCs) of growing follicles and inhibits follicular development.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the regulation of the AMH-specific type 2 receptor (AMHR2) gene expression in GCs by bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)15, BMP4 and growth differentiation factor (GDF)9.

Design, Setting, And Patients: Their effects on AMHR2 and AMH mRNAs were studied in luteinized human GCs and in ovine GCs (oGCs) from small antral follicles.

Anti-Müllerian hormone plasma concentration in prepubertal ewe lambs as a predictor of their fertility at a young age.

Background: In mammals, the ovarian follicular reserve is highly variable between individuals and impacts strongly on ovarian function and fertility. Nowadays, the best endocrine marker of this reserve in human, mouse and cattle is the anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). The objectives of this work were to determine whether AMH could be detected in the plasma of prepubertal ewe lambs and to assess its relationship with their fertility at a young age.