Date of Graduation

8-2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Animal Science (MS)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Animal Science

Advisor/Mentor

David L. Kreider

Committee Member

Rick W. Rorie

Second Committee Member

Charles F. Rosenkrans

Keywords

Biological sciences, Bovine, Follice stimulating hormone beta, Polymorphisms, Puberty, Spermatogenesis

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to characterize polymorphisms (SNP) in the bovine FSHβ gene promoter region to examine breed differences in SNP, and to determine effects of SNP on reproduction in beef cattle. Experiment 1 - DNA samples were collected from 5 Angus (ANG), 13 Balancer (BAL), & 16 Brahman influenced (BI) bulls. Polymorphisms were identified by sequencing of 3 sequential PCR products from the promoter region revealed 17 SNP & 4 insertion/deletions (INDEL). Semen samples were collected and sperm quality variables determined via computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA) or stained smears. The MIXED procedure for ANG & BAL indicated interactions of week and SNP 485for LIN, AREA, & MINAB (P ≤ 0.05), effects of SNP 169 & 170 on MINAB & TOTAB (P ≤ 0.07), SNP 485 on MOT, PROG, RAP, VAP, VSL, VCL, ALH, BCF, AREA, & LIVE (P ≤ 0.05),and SNP 1130 on VCL, ALH, LIN (P ≤ 0.05), & STR (P = 0.06). For BI bulls effects of SNP 171, 225, 353, 410, 411, 412, & INDEL 413-414 on MINAB & TOTAB (P ≤ 0.09), SNP 783 on MINAB & TOTAB (P ≤ 0.03), BCF & MAJAB (P ≤ 0.09), SNP 1130 on VCL (P = 0.05), VAP, & VSL (P ≤ 0.09), and SNP 1702 on MINAB & TOTAB (P ≤ 0.04). Experiment 2 - DNA samples were collected from early & late pubertal Brahman heifers and SNP were identified by sequencing 2 upstream segments of FSHâ promoter region. Chi square revealed effects upon puberty for SNP 783 (P = 0.02) and 171 (P = 0.08), breed differences in frequency of occurrence for 10 SNP (171, 225, 321, 353, 410, 411, 412, 783, 887, 1702), and 2 INDEL (411-412 INDEL & 413-414 INDEL). Results indicate breed differences in frequency of occurrence of SNP in FSHâ promoter region, and that SNP may be useful as markers related to semen quality in bulls and puberty in Brahman heifers.

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