Embryonic genotype and inbreeding affect preimplantation development in cattle

Lazzari, G., Colleoni, S., Duchi, R., Galli, A., Houghton, F.D. and Galli, C. (2011) Embryonic genotype and inbreeding affect preimplantation development in cattle. Reproduction, 141 (5), 625-632. (doi:10.1530/REP-10-0282). (PMID:21310813)

Abstract

Infertility in cattle herds is a growing problem with multifactorial causes. Embryonic genotype and level of inbreeding are amongst the many factors that can play a role on reproductive efficiency. To investigate this issue we produced purebred and crossbred bovine embryos by in vitro techniques from Holstein oocytes and Holstein or Brown Swiss semen to investigate several cellular and molecular features. In the first experiment purebred and crossbred embryos, obtained from abattoir oocytes, were analysed for cleavage, development to morula/blastocyst stages, amino acid metabolism and gene expression of developmentally important genes. The results indicated significant differences in the percentage of compacted morulae, in the expression of three genes at the blastocyst stage (MnSOD, gp130 and FGF4) and in the utilisation of serine, asparagine, methionine and tryptophan by day 6 embryos. In the second experiment bovine oocytes were collected by Ovum Pick Up from ten Holstein donors and fertilized with the semen of the respective Holstein sires or with Brown Swiss semen. The derived embryos were grown in vitro up to day 7, then were transferred in synchronized recipients and recovered on day 12. We found that purebred/inbred embryos had lower blastocyst rate on day 7-8, were smaller on day 12 and had lower expression of the trophoblast gene PLAC8. Overall these results indicate reduced and delayed development of purebred embryos as compared to crossbred embryos. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that embryo genotype and high inbreeding can affect amino acid metabolism, preimplantation development and therefore fertility in cattle.

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Contributors

Author: F.D. Houghton

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