Genetic and genomic analyses of embryo production in dairy cattle
C. Jaton A , F. S. Schenkel B , T. C. S. Chud B , F. Malchiodi A , M. Sargolzaei C , C. A. Price D , A. Canovàs B , C. Baes B and F. Miglior B E F
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A The Semex Alliance, 5653 ON-6, Guelph, ON N1G 3Z2, Canada.
B Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock (CGIL), University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
C Select Sires Inc., 11740 US-42, Plain City, OH 43064, USA.
D Université de Montréal, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, 3200 Rue Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada.
E Ontario Genomics, 661 University Ave, Suite 490, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada.
F Corresponding author. Email: fmiglior@ontariogenomics.ca
Reproduction, Fertility and Development 32(2) 50-55 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD19275
Published: 2 December 2019
Abstract
The Canadian dairy industry has been using in vivo and in vitro assisted reproductive technologies to produce embryos. Technological improvements have helped increase the number and quality of embryos produced, but genetic and genomic tools for improving these traits have yet to be assessed for the Canadian Holstein population. Genetic parameters and a genome-wide association study were performed in Canadian Holstein for the total number of embryos (NE) and the number of viable embryos (VE). Results showed potential for genetic selection for both NE and VE, with heritability estimates (± s.e.) of approximately 0.15 ± 0.01. Genetic correlations between the number of embryos produced using different procedures (in vivo and in vitro) suggested that a similar number of embryos should be expected from a donor regardless of the procedure used. A region on chromosome 11 of the bovine genome was found to be significantly associated with the number of embryos, indicating a potential regulatory role of this region on embryo production. Overall, these findings are of interest for the Canadian dairy industry because they provide useful information for breeders that are interested in producing embryos from the elite donors in their herds or in the population using assisted reproductive technologies.
References
Asada, Y., and Terawaki, Y. (2002). Heritability and repeatability of superovulatory responses in Holstein population in Hokkaido, Japan. Asian-Australas. J. Anim. Sci. 15, 944–948.| Heritability and repeatability of superovulatory responses in Holstein population in Hokkaido, Japan.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Baruselli, P. S., Ferreira, R. M., Sales, J. N. S., Gimenes, L. U., Sá Filho, M. F., Martins, C. M., Rodrigues, C. A., and Bó, G. A. (2011). Timed embryo transfer programs for management of donor and recipient cattle. Theriogenology 76, 1583–1593.
| Timed embryo transfer programs for management of donor and recipient cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21798580PubMed |
Bényei, B., Gáspárdy, A., Komlósi, I., and Pécsi, A. (2004). Repeatability and heritability of ovulation number and embryos in dam–daughters pairs in superovulated Holstein–Friesian cows. Reprod. Domest. Anim. 39, 99–102.
| Repeatability and heritability of ovulation number and embryos in dam–daughters pairs in superovulated Holstein–Friesian cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 15065991PubMed |
Bó, G. A., and Mapletoft, R. J. (2014). Historical perspectives and recent research on superovulation in cattle. Theriogenology 81, 38–48.
| Historical perspectives and recent research on superovulation in cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24274408PubMed |
Canadian Embryo Transfer Association 2017. Summary of embryo transfer activity in Canada for 2017. Available at https://www.ceta.ca/pdf/2018/07-24/2017-ET-Activity-in-Canada.pdf [verified 1 July 2019].
Chesnais, J. P., Cooper, T. A., Wiggans, G. R., Sargolzaei, M., Pryce, J. E., and Miglior, F. (2016). Using genomics to enhance selection of novel traits in North American dairy cattle. J. Dairy Sci. 99, 2413–2427.
| Using genomics to enhance selection of novel traits in North American dairy cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 26778318PubMed |
Cole, J. B. (2019). Promotion of alleles by genome engineering. CAB Reviews 14, 1–15.
| Promotion of alleles by genome engineering.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cole, J. B., Wiggans, G. R., Ma, L., Sonstegard, T. S., Lawlor, T. J., Crooker, B. A., Van Tassell, C. P., Yang, J., Wang, S., and Matukumalli, L. K. (2011). Genome-wide association analysis of thirty-one production, health, reproduction and body conformation traits in contemporary US Holstein cows. BMC Genomics 12, 408.
| Genome-wide association analysis of thirty-one production, health, reproduction and body conformation traits in contemporary US Holstein cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21831322PubMed |
Cory, A. T., Price, C. A., Lefebvre, R., and Palin, M.-F. (2012). Identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the bovine follicle-stimulating hormone receptor and effects of genotypes on superovulatory response traits. Anim. Genet. 44, 197–201.
| Identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the bovine follicle-stimulating hormone receptor and effects of genotypes on superovulatory response traits.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22670622PubMed |
Eriksson, S., Häggström, M., and Stalhammar, H. (2007). Genetic parameters for superovulatory response in Swedish Red Cattle and Swedish Holstein heifers. In ‘Proceedings of the 58th Annual Meeting of the European Association of Animal Production’, 26–29 Aug 2007, Dublin, Ireland. pp. 1–6. (Wageningen Academic Publishers: Wageningen.)
Ireland, J. J., Ward, F., Jimenez-Krassel, F., Ireland, J. L. H., Smith, G. W., Lonergan, P., and Evans, A. C. O. (2007). Follicle numbers are highly repeatable within individual animals but are inversely correlated with FSH concentrations and the proportion of good-quality embryos after ovarian stimulation in cattle. Hum. Reprod. 22, 1687–1695.
| Follicle numbers are highly repeatable within individual animals but are inversely correlated with FSH concentrations and the proportion of good-quality embryos after ovarian stimulation in cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17468258PubMed |
Jaton, C., Koeck, A., Sargolzaei, M., Malchiodi, F., Price, C. A., Schenkel, F. S., and Miglior, F. (2016a). Genetic analysis of superovulatory response of Holstein cows in Canada. J. Dairy Sci. 99, 3612–3623.
| Genetic analysis of superovulatory response of Holstein cows in Canada.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 26923051PubMed |
Jaton, C., Koeck, A., Sargolzaei, M., Price, C. A., Baes, C., Schenkel, F. S., and Miglior, F. (2016b). Genetic correlations between number of embryos produced using in vivo and in vitro techniques in heifer and cow donors. J. Dairy Sci. 99, 8222–8226.
| Genetic correlations between number of embryos produced using in vivo and in vitro techniques in heifer and cow donors.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 27522410PubMed |
Jaton, C., Schenkel, F. S., Malchiodi, F., Sargolzaei, M., Price, C. A., Baes, C., and Miglior, F. (2017). Genetic analysis for quality of frozen embryos produced by Holstein cattle donors in Canada. J. Dairy Sci. 100, 7320–7329.
| Genetic analysis for quality of frozen embryos produced by Holstein cattle donors in Canada.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 28711250PubMed |
Jaton, C., Schenkel, F. S., Sargolzaei, M., Cánovas, A., Malchiodi, F., Price, C. A., Baes, C., and Miglior, F. (2018). Genome-wide association study and in silico functional analysis of the number of embryos produced by Holstein donors. J. Dairy Sci. 101, 7248–7257.
| Genome-wide association study and in silico functional analysis of the number of embryos produced by Holstein donors.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 29753485PubMed |
Jiang, J., Ma, L., Prakapenka, D., VanRaden, P. M., Cole, J. B., and Da, Y. (2019). A large-scale genome-wide association study in U.S. Holstein cattle. Front. Genet. 10, 412.
| A large-scale genome-wide association study in U.S. Holstein cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 31139206PubMed |
Kemper, K. E., Bowman, P. J., Pryce, J. E., Hayes, B. J., and Goddard, M. E. (2012). Long-term selection strategies for complex traits using high-density genetic markers. J. Dairy Sci. 95, 4646–4656.
| Long-term selection strategies for complex traits using high-density genetic markers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22818479PubMed |
König, S., Bosselmann, F., Von Borstel, U. U., and Simianer, H. (2007). Genetic analysis of traits affecting the success of embryo transfer in dairy cattle. J. Dairy Sci. 90, 3945–3954.
| Genetic analysis of traits affecting the success of embryo transfer in dairy cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17639006PubMed |
Loi, P., Toschi, P., Zacchini, F., Ptak, G., Scapolo, P. A., Capra, E., Stella, A., Marsan, P. A., and Williams, J. L. (2016). Synergies between assisted reproduction technologies and functional genomics. Genet. Sel. Evol. 48, 53.
| Synergies between assisted reproduction technologies and functional genomics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 27481215PubMed |
Mapletoft, R. J. (2006). Bovine embryo transfer. In ‘IVIS Reviews in Veterinary Medicine’. (Ed. IVIS.) R0104.1106. (International Veterinary Information Service: Ithaca NY.)
Marigorta, U. M., Rodríguez, J. A., Gibson, G., and Navarro, A. (2018). Replicability and prediction: lessons and challenges from GWAS. Trends Genet. 34, 504–517.
| Replicability and prediction: lessons and challenges from GWAS.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 29716745PubMed |
Merton, J. S., de Roos, A. P., Mullaart, E., de Ruigh, L., Kaal, L., Vos, P. L., and Dieleman, S. J. (2003). Factors affecting oocyte quality and quantity in commercial application of embryo technologies in the cattle breeding industry. Theriogenology 59, 651–674.
| Factors affecting oocyte quality and quantity in commercial application of embryo technologies in the cattle breeding industry.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 12499010PubMed |
Merton, J. S., Ask, B., Onkundi, D. C., Mullaart, E., Colenbrander, B., and Nielen, M. (2009). Genetic parameters for oocyte number and embryo production within a bovine ovum pick-up–in vitro production embryo-production program. Theriogenology 72, 885–893.
| Genetic parameters for oocyte number and embryo production within a bovine ovum pick-up–in vitro production embryo-production program.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19716168PubMed |
Nayeri, S., Sargolzaei, M., Abo-Ismail, M., Miller, S., Schenkel, F., Moore, S., and Stothard, P. (2017). Genome-wide association study for lactation persistency, female fertility, longevity, and lifetime profit index traits in Holstein dairy cattle. J. Dairy Sci. 100, 1246–1258.
| Genome-wide association study for lactation persistency, female fertility, longevity, and lifetime profit index traits in Holstein dairy cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 27889128PubMed |
Parker Gaddis, K. L., Dikmen, S., Null, D. J., Cole, J. B., and Hansen, P. J. (2017). Evaluation of genetic components in traits related to superovulation, in vitro fertilization, and embryo transfer in Holstein cattle. J. Dairy Sci. 100, 2877–2891.
| Evaluation of genetic components in traits related to superovulation, in vitro fertilization, and embryo transfer in Holstein cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 28131573PubMed |
Sartori, R., Sartor-Bergfelt, R., Mertens, S. A., Guenther, J. N., Parrish, J. J., and Wiltbank, M. C. (2002). Fertilization and early embryonic development in heifers and lactating cows in summer and lactating and dry cows in winter. J. Dairy Sci. 85, 2803–2812.
| Fertilization and early embryonic development in heifers and lactating cows in summer and lactating and dry cows in winter.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 12487447PubMed |
Seidel, G. E. (2010). Brief introduction to whole-genome selection in cattle using single nucleotide polymorphisms. Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 22, 138.
| Brief introduction to whole-genome selection in cattle using single nucleotide polymorphisms.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20003856PubMed |
Thomasen, J. R., Willam, A., Egger-Danner, C., and Sørensen, A. C. (2016). Reproductive technologies combine well with genomic selection in dairy breeding programs J. Dairy Sci. 99, 1331–1340.
| Reproductive technologies combine well with genomic selection in dairy breeding programsCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 26686703PubMed |
Tonhati, H., Lôbo, R. B., and Oliveira, H. N. (1999). Repeatability and heritability of response to superovulation in Holstein cows. Theriogenology 51, 1151–1156.
| Repeatability and heritability of response to superovulation in Holstein cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 10729033PubMed |
Van Eenennaam, A. L. (2019). Application of genome editing in farm animals: cattle. Transgenic Res. 28, 93.
| Application of genome editing in farm animals: cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 31321690PubMed |
Vieira, L. M., Rodrigues, C. A., Mendanha, M. F., Sá Filho, M. F., Sales, J. N. S., Souza, A. H., Santos, J. E. P., and Baruselli, P. S. (2014). Donor category and seasonal climate associated with embryo production and survival in multiple ovulation and embryo transfer programs in Holstein cattle. Theriogenology 82, 204–212.
| Donor category and seasonal climate associated with embryo production and survival in multiple ovulation and embryo transfer programs in Holstein cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24768006PubMed |
Yang, W.-C., Li, S.-J., Tang, K.-Q., Hua, G.-H., Zhang, C.-Y., Yu, J.-N., Han, L., and Yang, L.-G. (2010). Polymorphisms in the 5′ upstream region of the FSH receptor gene, and their association with superovulation traits in Chinese Holstein cows. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 119, 172–177.
| Polymorphisms in the 5′ upstream region of the FSH receptor gene, and their association with superovulation traits in Chinese Holstein cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20207511PubMed |
