Interaction of GH polymorphism with body weight and endocrine functions in Japanese black calves

Phenotype and genotype of Boerka goats raised in Bali

Background and Aim

Boerka goats are the new breed in Bali targeted at meeting the increasing demand for lamb. They are meat-type goats created by crossing male Boer and female Kacang breeds. This new breed is expected to have good adaptation in a poor environment, such as Kacang goats and produce good quality lamb as Boer goats. Therefore, this study aimed to examine phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of Boerka goats raised in Bali.

Materials and Methods

A total of 16 female Boerka goats at 2 years old collected from a group of livestock farmers in Sanda Village were used as samples. This observational study began with observations of qualitative characteristics and morphometric measurements of goats, followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the growth hormone (GH) gene using GH5F and GH5R primers. Polymerase chain reaction products were then sequenced and analyzed with the MEGA 11 program.

Results

The results showed that all Boerka goats had stuck-down ears, the heads were predominantly brown in color (62.5%), the body color pattern tends to be white (87.50%), and the tail color pattern was also dominated by white (62.5%). In morphometric terms, the samples were close to Kacang goats based on the body weight, head length, head width, chest width, depth, and circumference, left front leg circumference, ear length, ear width, tail length, tail width, and flank height except for head height, body length, horn length, and shoulder height. Analysis of the GH gene showed that Boerka goats had a nucleotide composition dominated by the purine base guanine (26.5%) and pyrimidine cytosine (31.8%). Furthermore, they formed a separate cluster with a genetic distance of 14.1% to the Anhui White breed from China, the Tibetan breed, and the Swiss Saanen breed.

Conclusion

Boerka goats raised in Bali have phenotypes, including qualitative characteristics and morphometric measurements close to Kacang goats. As meat-type goats, they also form a separate cluster distinct from similar types worldwide.

MOET Efficiency in a Spanish Herd of Japanese Black Heifers and Analysis of Environmental and Metabolic Determinants

Multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) systems have been intensively implemented in Japanese Black cattle in Japan and to create Japanese Black herds out of these areas. Environmental conditions influence MOET efficiency. Thus, we describe results of 137 in vivo, non-surgical embryo flushings performed between 2016-2020, in a full-blood Japanese Black herd kept in Spain and the possible effects of heat, year, bull, donor genetic value, and metabolic condition. Additionally, 687 embryo transfers were studied for conception rate (CR) and recipient related factors. A total of 71.3% of viable embryos (724/1015) were obtained (5.3 ± 4.34/flushing). Donor metabolites did not affect embryo production (p > 0.1), although metabolite differences were observed over the years, and by flushing order, probably related to the donor age. CR was not affected by embryo type (fresh vs. frozen), recipient breed, and whether suckling or not suckling (p > 0.1). CR decreased significantly with heat (44.3 vs. 49.2%; (p = 0.042)) and numerically increased with recipient parity and ET-number. Pregnant recipients showed significantly higher levels of cholesterol-related metabolites, glucose, and urea (p < 0.05). Therefore, adequate MOET efficiency can be achieved under these conditions, and heat stress should be strongly avoided during Japanese Black embryo transfers. Moreover, recipients' metabolites are important to achieve pregnancy, being probably related to better nutrient availability during pregnancy.

Association of GH polymorphisms with growth traits in buffaloes

Members of the somatotrophic axis, especially GH and IGF1, are essential for growth. The association between GH polymorphisms and growth traits was numerously studied in cattle; however, no data are available for such association studies in buffalo. Therefore, this study was conducted to screen for polymorphisms in the GH gene and to study their putative association with growth traits in 200 Egyptian buffaloes. Polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism and sequencing were applied to look for polymorphisms in 3 loci spanning all exons and introns of buffalo GH. The C (MspI+) >T (MspI-) SNP in intron3, which is well known in cattle, was not detected in the examined buffaloes. However, 2 missense mutations were detected in exon5: one previously detected p.Leu153Val SNP, with very low frequencies for the mutant (Val) allele and one novel p.Asn174His SNP. At weaning age, the p.Leu153Val SNP was significantly associated with weaning body weight and gain with the positive effect of the wild allele (Leu) and higher GH serum, mRNA, and protein levels in animals with Leu/Asn and Leu/His haplotypes. At yearling age, the 2 SNPs associated with yearling weight and gain with positive effect for the mutant (Val and His) alleles with increased GH, and IGF1 serum, mRNA, and protein and GHR mRNA and protein levels in animals with Val/Asn haplotype. Therefore, the selection of Egyptian buffaloes with the Val/Asn haplotype could improve the growth traits of Egyptian buffaloes at yearling age which is the target age for perfect growing.

Cloning, nucleotide sequencing, and bioinformatics analyses of growth hormone mRNA of Assaf sheep and Boer goats reared in Egypt

BACKGROUND

Identification of molecular characterization of genes underlying livestock productive traits may allow applying advanced biotechnology techniques to improve animal productivity. Growth hormone (GH) controls body growth rate, milk production, reproduction as well as carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the genetic variations of growth hormone cDNA sequences between Assaf sheep (As_GH) and Boer goat (Bo_GH) that mainly used for genetic improvement in Egypt using bioinformatics analysis. Growth hormone cDNA was isolated from the pituitary gland tissue of Assaf sheep Boer goat and subcloned into pTZ57R/T cloning vector for sequencing.

RESULTS

Molecular weight of As_GH cDNA was 665 bp and was 774 bp for Bo_GH cDNA. The complete coding sequences (CDS) of As_GH and Bo_GH were registered in the GenBank database under accession number (AC: MH128986 and AC: MG744290, respectively). High homology percentage was observed (99.5%) between AS_GH and Bo_GH protein sequences with one different amino acid in the As_GH protein sequence (Arg194). The protein sequence of As_GH has only one motif signature; Somatotropin_1 from 79 to 112 aa compared to Bo_GH protein sequences and GenBank database that had two motifs signature. The growth hormone cDNA sequence of Assaf sheep has a unique three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (A637A638G639) that encodes for arginine (Arg194); this insertion mutation (AAG) was not found in the growth hormone cDNA sequences of Boer goat in the present study and GenBank database breeds. This mutation can be used to develop SNPs markers for Assaf sheep.

CONCLUSIONS

GH sequence of Assaf and Boer goat is highly conserved and the homogeny in the codon region (99.5%). The Assaf sheep GH sequence has a unique three SNPs that may be used to develop SNPs markers for such breed. Further studies are needed to investigate the genetic variations of growth hormone gene in different sheep and goat breeds in Egypt and document the relationship between these variations and the productive performance of animals.

Assessment of growth hormone gene polymorphism effects on reproductive traits in Holstein dairy cattle in Tunisia

Research to assess the effect of single genes on reproductive traits in bovine species is imperative to elucidate genes' functions and acquire a better perspective of quantitative traits. The present study was undertaken to characterize genetic diversity in the bovine growth hormone (GH) gene in a population of 410 Holstein dairy cows in Tunisia. The analyses were based on single nucleotide polymorphisms, and GH-AluI and GH-MspI detections and genotyping were carried out using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Data were analyzed using a mixed linear model with the MIXED procedure to reveal the possible effect of GH genotypes on reproductive traits. The frequency data of AluI(L//V) and MspI( + // - ) alleles were 87.04//12.96 and 70.06//29.94, respectively. The distribution of the frequency of GH genotypes for LL/LV/VV and ( - / - )//( + / - )//( + / + ) were 77.75//18.59//3.66 and 15.37//29.13//55.50, respectively. The results of the statistical analyses proved that GH-AluI showed a substantial favorable effect on exanimate traits except for the age at first calving; however, only a suggestive effect of GH-MspI on the calving interval (CI) and the days open (DI) was found. The homozygous LL genotype seemed to be advantageous with respect to the CI and the DI compared with LV and VV genotypes. Heterozygous MspI( + / - ) cows tended to have a longer CI and DI than MspI( + / + ) and MspI( - / - ) cows, but the difference was not statistically significant. A significant effect of different GH-AluI-MspI combined genotypes was found on the number of inseminations per conception, the CI and the DI, and the LL/- combined genotype seemed to be associated with better reproductive performance. Based on these results, the LL genotype of the GH locus can be considered to be a favorable genotype for reproductive traits in Holstein dairy cattle, although these findings need to be confirmed by further research before polymorphisms can be used in a marker-assisted selection program.

Polymorphism in promoter region of growth hormone receptor is associated with potential production capacity of insulin-like growth factor-1 in pre-pubertal Holstein heifers

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is one of the important factors for growth, milk production and reproductive functions and mainly released from the liver in response to growth hormone (GH) via GH receptor (GHR) in cattle. Recently, some single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in the bovine GHR gene. Some GHR-SNPs were shown to be related to plasma IGF-1 concentration in cattle. Hence, the capacity to IGF-1 production in the liver might be affected by GHR-SNP and associated with performance in the future. This study examined whether GHR-SNP is associated with IGF-1 production in the liver of pre-pubertal heifers. In 71 Holstein calves, blood samples for genomic DNA extraction were obtained immediately after birth. To genotype the GHR-SNPs in the promoter region, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products were digested with restriction enzyme NsiI (cutting sites: AA, AG and GG). All heifers at 4 months of age were intramuscularly injected with 0.4 mg oestradiol benzoate. Blood samples were obtained from the jugular vein just before (0 h) and 24 h after injection. The number of AA, AG and GG at the NsiI site was 0, 17 and 54 respectively. In AG and GG, plasma GH concentrations were higher pre-injection than 24 h post-injection (p < 0.01). Moreover, plasma GH concentrations in AG post-injection were higher than in GG (p < 0.05). In contrast, the GG genotype exhibited higher plasma IGF-1 concentrations in pre-injection than post-injection (p < 0.01), although oestradiol did not change IGF-1 concentration in the AG genotype. We conclude that the GG polymorphism in the promoter region of GHR is associated with a higher potential capacity of IGF-1 production in the liver of cattle.

Effects of growth hormone gene polymorphism on lipogenic gene expression levels in diaphragm tissues of Japanese black heifers

Two SNPs, i.e. L127V and T172M, of bovine growth hormone (GH) causing the presence of GH gene haplotypes A, B, and C was previously shown to alter intramuscular fatty acid (FA) composition in Japanese Black (JB) heifers. To determine the SNP effect on somatotropic hormone concentration and lipogenesis, we measured plasma GH, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations. We also measured mRNA levels of fatty acid synthase (FASN), stearoyl-coA desaturase (SCD), and sterol regulatory element binding proteins-1 (SREBP-1) and FA composition in diaphragm tissues. Heifers with genotype CC had the lowest plasma insulin concentration and FASN and SCD mRNA levels among genotypes. FASN mRNA levels in haplotype A tended to positively correlate with saturated FA (SFA) content and negatively correlated with C18:2 and unsaturated FA (USFA) contents. SCD mRNA levels in haplotype A positively correlated with monounsaturated FA (MUFA) contents and negatively correlated with C18:0 content. They also tended to positively correlate with C16:1, C18:1, and USFA contents and USFA/SFA ratio and negatively correlate with SFA content. Taken together, GH gene polymorphism affects the lipogenic genes expression levels and their relationships with fatty acid compositions in diaphragm tissues of JB heifers at 31 months of age.

Identification of SNPs within the sheep PROP1 gene and their effects on wool traits

Regarding mutations of PROP1 (Prophet of POU1F1) gene significantly associating with combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD) in human patients and animals, PROP1 gene is a novel important candidate gene for detecting genetic variation and growth, reproduction, metabolism traits selection and breeding. The aim of this study was to detect PROP1 gene mutation of the exon 1-3 and its association with wool traits in 345 Chinese Merino sheep. In this study, on the basis of PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing methods, ten novel SNPs within the sheep PROP1 gene, namely, AY533708: g.45A>G resulting in Glu15Glu, g.1198A>G, g.1341G>C resulting in Arg63Ser, g.1389G>A resulting in Ala79Ala, g.1402C>T resulting in Leu84Leu, g.1424A>G resulting in Asn91Ser, g.1522C>T, g.1556A>T, g.1574T>C, g.2430C>G were reported. In addition, association analysis showed that three genotypes of P4 fragment were significantly associated with fiber diameter in the analyzed population (P=0.044). These results strongly suggested that polymorphisms of the PROP1 gene could be a useful molecular marker for sheep breeding and genetics through marker-assisted selection (MAS).

Effects of GH gene polymorphism and sex on carcass traits and fatty acid compositions in Japanese Black cattle

To investigate the effects of bovine growth hormone (bGH) gene polymorphism on carcass traits and fatty acid compositions in Japanese Black cattle caused by nucleotide substitution of CTG (allele A)/GTG (allele B) at codon 127 and of ACG (allele A and B)/ATG (allele C) at codon 172 of bGH, GH genotypes of 135 cattle were determined using allele specific-multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Allele A gave greater rib thickness and lower melting point of fat (MP) while allele B gave higher C18:1% (P < 0.05). Allele C gave higher C18:1, monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), unsaturated fatty acid (USFA) percentages (P < 0.05). It also gave lower saturated fatty acid (SFA) percentages, higher MUFA/SFA and USFA/SFA ratios, and lower MP (P < 0.05). Interactions of sex and GH alleles were analyzed. In heifers, allele A gave higher carcass weight, daily carcass gain, rib eye area, rib thickness, subcutaneous fat thickness, and BMS while allele B gave greater rib eye area and rib thickness (P < 0.05). Allele C gave higher C18:1 (P < 0.01), MUFA (P < 0.01), USFA percentages (P < 0.05) and MUFA/SFA and USFA/SFA ratios (P < 0.01), and lower C16:0 and SFA percentages (P < 0.05) and MP (P < 0.01). GH gene polymorphism affected carcass traits and fatty acid compositions although the effects were more pronounced in heifers.

Novel polymorphisms of the growth hormone gene and their effect on growth traits in Chinese goats

The polymorphisms of the growth hormone (GH) gene were analyzed in 686 individuals from four goat populations, Three haplotypes (A, B and C) and three observed genotypes (AA, AB and AC) were detected at the P2 locus, and three haplotypes (E, F and G) and three observed genotypes (EE, EF and EG) were also detected at the P4 locus. In addition, five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)-A112G, C142T (Gly>Ser), C214T (P2 locus), C266A (Pro>His) and C214T (P4 locus, Arg>Trp), were identified by GH gene sequencing and PCR-SSCP analysis. The SNPs loci were in Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium in three goat populations (P<0.05). Association of polymorphisms with growth traits was done in BG, F1 and F1 populations, which were shown to be associated with growth traits in three goat populations. The SNPs in the goat GH gene had significant effects on growth traits (P<0.05). suggesting that the GH gene is a strong candidate gene that affects growth traits in goat.

Survival of the thriftiest: restricted nurture reveals the thrifty nature of a growth gene in Bos indicus

Growth hormone (GH) is a part of the somatotropic axis that controls metabolism, growth, development and aging in a wide range of animals. Mutations that reduce GH signaling have been associated with extended life spans and increased longevity in ways similar to what is observed in dietary restriction (DR) models. However, the mechanism by which DR works is not well understood. Here, we show that DR works as a factor in the evolution of the genetic make-up of domestic cattle. In a series of 6864 bovines of seven Bos indicus and tropically adapted Bos taurus breeds, the frequency of a short, wild-type allele of the promoter region of the bovine GH gene, G1 allele, varied from 2.7 to 17.7%. The frequency of the long, domestic G2 allele increased from 88 to 95% along 20 calf crops of commercial Bos indicus cattle of the Nelore breed undergoing selection for increasing post-weaning weight gain with ad libitum nutrient intake. Under DR, however, the G1 allele sustained growth better than the G2 allele, as observed in a series of feeding tests. The G2 allele was even detrimental or abiotropic, as it caused rapid body decay under DR. We observed a reflection symmetry of GH allele substitution effects on body weight under different dietary schemes. The G2 allele is featured as the "demanding allele", because it is optimally fitted to ad libitum nutrient intake. The G1 allele is featured as the "thrifty allele" because it is optimally fitted to DR. Our results show that dietary regimens need not extend lifespan or increase longevity in the sense of age-specific fitness. Instead, adaptation to any particular dietary regimen is just as much a consequence of selection as its cause; dietary regimens work as do any selection force, optimizing genotypic fitness to nutritional conditions.

Plasma hormone and metabolite concentrations involved in the somatotropic axis of Japanese Black heifers in association with growth hormone gene polymorphism

Bovine growth hormone (bGH) gene polymorphism of leucine (Leu)-threonine (Thr) (allele A), valine (Val)-Thr (allele B), and Val-methionine (Met) (allele C) at codons 127 and 172 was shown to relate with carcass trait variations in Japanese Black cattle. In this study, 10-mo-old Japanese Black heifers with growth hormone (GH) genotypes AA, AB, BB, AC, BC, and CC (N=141) were compared for basal GH, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin, ghrelin, glucose, and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations. Growth hormone release was also measured as response to growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) (0.4 microg/kg body weight [BW]) using 18 heifers with GH genotypes AA, BB, and CC (n=6 for each group). The genotype AA heifers showed the greatest BW among genotypes (P<0.05). Genotype AC, BC, and CC heifers showed greater GH concentrations than genotype AA, AB, or BB heifers, in which genotype CC heifers had the highest concentrations (P<0.05). However, IGF-1 concentrations did not significantly differ. The genotype AA and BB heifers had a greater GH release at 60 min following GHRH injection than did the genotype CC heifers. The area under the curve (AUC; P<0.07) and incremental area (IA; P<0.08) of GH responses to the GHRH challenge tended to be the highest in the genotype AA heifers and the lowest in the genotype CC heifers. In conclusion, GH gene polymorphism altered GH, which may have contributed to differences in BW and carcass traits among genotypes.

A novel missense (A79V) mutation of goat PROP1 gene and its association with production traits

As a paired class homeodomain transcription factor, mutations of PROP1 (Prophet of POU1F1) are responsible for deficiencies of GH, PRL, TSH, LH and FSH. Regarding mutations of GH, PRL, and POU1F1 genes significantly associating with different production traits, PROP1 gene is a novel important candidate gene for detecting genetic variation and association analysis in marked-assist selection (MAS) program. Therefore, the objective of this study is to detect goat PROP1 gene mutation and its association with production traits. Herein, a novel mutation (AF453512:g.1795C>T) within PROP1 gene is revealed by PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing methods, and genotyped by Hin6I PCR-RFLP method in 1,344 individuals belonging to eight goat breeds. Only two genotypes (CC and CT) are revealed and the frequencies of allele C go from 0.9014 to 1.000 in analyzed populations. The genetic diversity analysis reveals that all PIC values are less than 0.1619, implying that the Hin6I locus within PROP1 gene possesses low genetic diversity in goat. Furthermore, nucleotide sequence analysis shows that AF453512:g.1795C>T results in a missense amino acid (A79V). But, association analysis demonstrates no significant differences between different genotypes and production traits (such as body weight, cashmere yield, fiber length and wool thickness) of Inner Mongolia White Cashmere goat (P > 0.05), as well as no significant relationship between different genotypes and average milk yield (P > 0.05). Although Hin6I polymorphism can not be used as a molecular marker for production traits in MAS, the present work presents preliminary novel missense mutation which extends the spectrum of genetic variations of goat PROP1 gene and may benefit for considering its association with other biophysical and biochemical indexes.

Metabolic traits affecting growth rates of pre-pubertal calves and their relationship with subsequent survival

This study related growth and metabolic traits in Holstein-Friesian calves (n=45) to subsequent performance and longevity. Animals were measured at birth, 3, 6 and 9 months (weight, crown rump length (CRL), heart girth and height). Endocrine and metabolic traits were assessed at 6 months of age. These traits were not influenced by sire (n=5). Milk production and mortality records were obtained through 3 lactations. Seven heifers failed to achieve a lactation, 6 were culled after one, 17 after two and 15 (33%) survived >/=3 lactations. Birth weight and girth but not skeletal measures were highly positively correlated with the repeated size measurements at 3-9 months. Calves with higher cortisol at 6 months were smaller in weight and girth at 3 months, with reduced 3-6 months skeletal growth. GH secretion was related to height, weight and growth, whereas urea was most strongly related to CRL. Calves not achieving a single lactation had lower IGF-I. Calves with higher glucose or BHB were more likely to be culled after 2 lactations, an effect which was independent of yield. Size and metabolic measurements of growing calves may therefore prove useful in predicting longevity.

Polymorphism of the growth hormone gene and its association with growth traits in Boer goat bucks

In the present study, the polymorphism of growth hormone (GH) gene was analyzed as a genetic marker candidate for growth traits in Boer goat bucks. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) - A781G (Ser/Gly35) and A1575G (Leu147), were identified by GH gene sequencing and PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism) analysis. AA genotype resulted in a significant decrease in birth chest girth (P=0.03) and weaning weight (P=0.014) comparing to AB genotype, while CC genotype contributed to weaning height (P=0.04) greater than CD genotype. When in combination, AACD genotype was undesired for lower scores in a series of growth traits including body weight, length, height, and chest girth at birth and weaning, as well as the pre-weaning daily gain and body weight at age of 11 months. These results indicate that new molecular markers associated with caprine growth traits can be used in MAS (marker-assisted selection) in Boer goat bucks.