Evaluation of prolactin receptor (PRLR) as candidate gene for male fertility in Hanoverian warmblood horses.

The research studied the role of the prolactin receptor gene (PRLR) in male fertility of Hanoverian warmblood horses, finding specific gene variations linked to fertility traits.

Research Objective and Methods

The research aimed to gain insights into the role of prolactin receptor gene (PRLR) in stallion fertility, as its impact on testicular function and sex gland operation suggested it could influence fertility. Artificial insemination is increasingly common in horse breeding, making an understanding of stallion fertility critical.

• The researchers screened the PRLR gene for variations, known as polymorphisms, in Hanoverian stallions, discovering two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), or minute alterations in the DNA sequence.
• They analyzed these SNPs in 162 Hanoverian stallions regarding their association and sequence.
• They applied a statistical method known as least square means (LSM) to assess the pregnancy rate per oestrus, examining both the paternal and embryonic components.

Findings

The researchers found substantial associations between the examined SNPs and the embryonic and paternal components of fertility.

• Both identified SNPs showed significant relationships with the components of fertility using single marker and sequence analysis.
• One of the SNPs also had a prominent association with the LSM of the pregnancy rate per oestrus.

Significance

The research is the first to document an association between PRLR-linked genetic markers and fertility traits in stallions. It suggests certain genetic markers can help predict stallion fertility, providing valuable tools for breeders. More broadly, it contributes valuable knowledge to the field of equine genetics, potentially leading to improved breeding strategies and outcomes.