Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Cavβ2

Title: Genetic variants related to gap junctions and hormone secretion influence conception rates in cows.

Authors: Mayumi Sugimoto, Shinji Sasaki, Yusaku Gotoh, Yuuki Nakamura, Yoshito Aoyagi, Takayoshi Kawahara, Yoshikazu Sugimoto

Journal, date & volume: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 2013 Nov 26 , 110, 19495-500

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24218568

Abstract
The recent decline in fertility is a serious problem in the dairy industry. To overcome this problem, we performed a genome-wide association study using 384 Holsteins and identified four loci associated with conception rates. Two of them contained gap junction-related genes: PKP2 and CTTNBP2NL. Further analysis confirmed that PKP2 increased connexin 43, a gap junction protein, whereas CTTNBP2NL dephosphorylated connexin 43. Knockdown of PKP2 or overexpression of CTTNBP2NL inhibited embryo implantation in mice. The other two loci contained neuroendocrine-related genes: SETD6 and CACNB2. Additional experiments indicated that SETD6 is involved in the transcriptional regulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, whereas CACNB2 controlled the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone in cattle. The total allele substitution effect of these genes on conception rate was 3.5%. Our findings reveal important roles for gap junction communication and the neuroendocrine system in conception and suggest unique selection methods to improve reproductive performance in the livestock industry.