Testis-specific changes in gene expression of post-pubertal beef bulls divergent for residual feed intake and exposure to different pre-natal diets
Chinju Johnson A , Carolyn Fitzsimmons B , Igor Kovalchuk C , John Kastelic A and Jacob Thundathil A D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Production Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada.
B Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, 2-06 Agriculture Forestry Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2P5, Canada.
C Department of Biological Sciences, 4401 University Drive, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, TIK 3M4, Canada.
D Corresponding author. Email: jthundat@ucalgary.ca
Animal Production Science 60(12) 1491-1502 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN19524
Submitted: 13 September 2019 Accepted: 29 January 2020 Published: 21 May 2020
Abstract
Context: Selection for residual feed intake (RFI) and its impact on male reproductive development has had mixed reviews in the past. Our previous studies demonstrated earlier puberty, larger testes and greater percentage of progressively motile sperm in high-RFI bulls. However, the molecular mechanisms within testes of bulls with varying RFI remain unclear.
Aims: To determine the effect of RFI and pre-natal diet on the expression patterns of testicular genes and use this information to explain differences observed across RFI.
Methods: The study included 25 purebred-Angus bulls with a genetic background of either high or low RFI and fed either normal or low pre-natal nutrition from 30 to 150 days post conception. After slaughter (17 months), testicular tissue was recovered, and RNA was extracted and sequenced.
Key results: Of 19 218 expressed genes, 17 were differentially expressed for RFI (including PLCD1, INPP4B), with no differences being observed for pre-natal diet or diet × RFI interaction (false discovery rate) < 0.1%). KEGG pathway analysis indicated that differentially expressed genes were associated with inositol phosphate metabolism, and phosphatidylinositol signalling. On the basis of a candidate gene-expression study, IGF1R was upregulated in high-RFI bulls (P < 0.1).
Conclusions: Increased expression of IGF1R and lowered PLCD1 and INPP4B expression could activate PI3K–Akt signalling responsible for cell growth, proliferation and steroid metabolism in high-RFI bulls.
Implications: Selecting bulls for feed efficiency might affect molecular networks associated with reproduction and fertility.
Additional keywords: cattle, IGF1R, inositol phosphate metabolism, PI3K–Akt signalling, RNA-seq.
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