Abstract
Simple SummaryThe yak (Bos grunniens) is regarded as one of the most magnificent domestic animals in the mountains of Asia, and it is well-adapted to the harsh environment of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. Slow growth rate and low production and reproductive potential are the main limitations of yaks. It has been suggested that enhanced nutrition can improve reproductive efficiency in animals; however, this is still unclear for yaks. Hence, this study was designed to observe the effect of supplementary feeding on transcription and expression profiles of different genes related to reproduction. Such characterization under different feeding conditions can provide potential guidance for enhancement of the reproductive efficacy of yaks.Previous studies have demonstrated that nutrition plays a crucial part in improving the reproductive potential of farm animals; however, there is currently no research on the transcription and expression profiling of genes in yaks under different feeding conditions. Therefore, this research was planned to compare the transcription and expression profiles of TEX11, ESRα, and BOLL in yaks under natural grazing with concentrate supplementation (NG + CS) and NG without concentrate supplementation. The transcription and expressional levels of TEX11, ESRα, and BOLL mRNA were explored from the testes of yaks using qPCR, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunochemistry. The results of the qPCR illustrated that the transcription levels of TEX11, ESRα, and BOLL were upregulated in the NG + CS group compared to those in the NG group. Moreover, the results of the immunochemistry and immunofluorescence showed that the expression of TEX11, ESRα, and BOLL proteins increased after concentrate supplementation. Meanwhile, ESRα protein levels were lower in the testes and epididymides of yaks in the NG group than in those in the NG + CS group. Similarly, BOLL protein expression was higher in the testes and epididymides of the NG + CS group, but its expression was lower in the epididymides of the NG group. Furthermore, Western blotting showed that the molecular weights of ESRα and BOLL proteins were 64 kDa and 31 kDa, respectively. Finally, in the conclusion we summarize how a proper level of dietary energy supplementation can improve the reproductive potential of yaks by upregulating genes related to reproduction.
Highlights
Nutrition plays a key role in improving the reproductive potential of animals
The expression levels of the Testis-expressed gene 11 (TEX11), ESRα, and BOLL from the yak tissues were evaluated by qPCR under different feeding conditions (Figure 1)
Expression of BOLL protein was higher in the testes and epididymis of the NG + CS group, and lower expression was observed in the epididymis of the control group
Summary
Previous findings have determined that protein and energy supplementations are the main factors required to optimize the reproductive potential of animals [1]. Improper diet supplementation can cause a negative energy balance, resulting in the loss of body weight, increased postpartum interval to conception, delayed sexual maturity, and abnormal ovarian cyclicity through declining gonadotropin secretion, leading to infertility [2]. Animals mobilize their fat reserves; reduced or eliminated reproduction can increase lipid storage and lead to weight gain in many species [5,6]. Fatty acids and cholesterol are substrates for hormone synthesis, and increasing dietary fat may increase the levels of reproductive hormones (progesterone and prostaglandins). Fats may have effects that are independent of or additional to increased energy availability. Higher progesterone levels during the luteal phase lead to better fertility
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