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Home / Equine Research Bank / Genes (Basel) / Identification of Candidate Genes for Twinning Births in Dez...
Genes2022; 13(10); 1902; doi: 10.3390/genes13101902

Identification of Candidate Genes for Twinning Births in Dezhou Donkeys by Detecting Signatures of Selection in Genomic Data.

Abstract: Twinning trait in donkeys is an important manifestation of high fecundity, but few reports are available elucidating its genetic mechanism. To explore the genetic mechanism underlying the twin colt trait in Dezhou donkeys, DNA from 21 female Dezhou donkeys that had birthed single or twin colts were collected for whole-genome resequencing. FST, θπ and Tajima’s D were used to detect the selective sweeps between single and twin colt fecundity in the Dezhou donkey groups. Another set of 20 female Dezhou donkeys with single or multiple follicles during estrus were selected to compare concentrations of reproductive hormone including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4). Four candidate genes including ENO2, PTPN11, SOD2 and CD44 were identified in the present study. The CD44 gene had the highest FST value, and ENO2, PTPN11 and SOD2 were screened by two joint analyses (FST and θπ, θπ and Tajima’s D). There was no significant difference in the LH, FSH and P4 levels between the two groups (p > 0.05); however, the serum E2 content in the multi-follicle group was significantly higher than that in the single-follicle group (p < 0.05). The identified candidate genes may provide new insights into the genetic mechanism of donkey prolificacy and may be useful targets for further research on high reproductive efficiency.
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Publication Date: 2022-10-19 PubMed ID: 36292787PubMed Central: PMC9601833DOI: 10.3390/genes13101902Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study explores the genetic factors underlying high fertility, specifically twinning, in Dezhou donkeys by examining their genomic data. The researchers discovered four potential genes, ENO2, PTPN11, SOD2, and CD44, which may be involved in this trait, offering fresh insights into donkey prolificacy and possible targets for advancing reproductive efficiency research.

Objective of the study

  • The research aims to illuminate the genetic mechanisms contributing to high fertility, in particular, the twinning trait, in Dezhou donkeys.
  • It intended to identify candidate genes associated with this trait using a combination of whole-genome resequencing and detection of selective sweeps via statistical indices (FST, θπ and Tajima’s D).
  • The study also investigated the relationship between certain reproductive hormone concentrations (FSH, LH, E2, P4) and the number of follicles produced during the estrus cycle.

Methods used

  • DNA was collected from 21 female Dezhou donkeys with a history of birthing single or twin colts and subjected to whole-genome resequencing.
  • Indices including FST, θπ and Tajima’s D were employed to discern selective sweeps between the two groups of donkeys.
  • A different set of 20 female Dezhou donkeys, some of them producing single and others producing multiple follicles during estrus, were picked to compare reproductive hormone levels.

Findings of the study

  • Four genes (ENO2, PTPN11, SOD2 and CD44) were pinpointed as likely influential in the trait of twinning.
  • The gene CD44 showed the highest FST value, indicating a strong difference in the frequency of this gene between single and twin colt donkey groups.
  • The other three genes, ENO2, PTPN11, and SOD2, were identified through two coordinated analyses involving the use of FST, θπ and Tajima’s D indices.
  • While the levels of LH, FSH, and P4 hormones showed no significant difference between single-follicle and multi-follicle groups, the E2 (estradiol) levels were significantly higher in donkeys with multiple follicles.

Implications of this study

  • This study presents an important exploration of the genetic mechanisms that contribute to high fertility rates in Dezhou donkeys.
  • The discovery of the four candidate genes could pave the way for more detailed research into the genetic factors that contribute to reproductive efficiency.
  • The results could lead to better understanding and potentially, improved breeding programs for Dezhou donkeys or even other species.

Cite This Article

APA
Xie T, Zhang S, Shen W, Zhang G, Guo R, Zhang W, Cao Y, Pan Q, Liu F, Sun Y, Liu S. (2022). Identification of Candidate Genes for Twinning Births in Dezhou Donkeys by Detecting Signatures of Selection in Genomic Data. Genes (Basel), 13(10), 1902. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes13101902

Publication

Genes
ISSN: 2073-4425
NlmUniqueID: 101551097
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 10
PII: 1902

Researcher Affiliations

Xie, Taifeng
  • College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China.
Zhang, Shuer
  • Shandong Animal Husbandry General Station, Jinan 250022, China.
Shen, Wei
  • College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China.
  • Shandong Equine Animal Genetic Resources Gene Bank, Qingdao 266109, China.
Zhang, Guoliang
  • College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China.
  • Shandong Equine Animal Genetic Resources Gene Bank, Qingdao 266109, China.
Guo, Rong
  • College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China.
Zhang, Wei
  • College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China.
Cao, Yanhang
  • Dongying Modern Animal Husbandry Development Service Center, Dongying 257091, China.
Pan, Qingjie
  • College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China.
Liu, Fengxin
  • Shandong Dezhou School, Dezhou, 251500, China.
Sun, Yujiang
  • College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China.
  • Shandong Equine Animal Genetic Resources Gene Bank, Qingdao 266109, China.
  • Vocational College of Dongying, Dongying 257091, China.
Liu, Shuqin
  • College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China.
  • Shandong Equine Animal Genetic Resources Gene Bank, Qingdao 266109, China.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Male
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Progesterone
  • Equidae / genetics
  • Luteinizing Hormone
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / genetics
  • Estradiol
  • Genomics

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Zhu Q, Khan MZ, Jing Y, Geng M, Zhang X, Zheng Y, Cao X, Peng Y, Wang C. The Donkey Genome: From Evolutionary Insights to Sustainable Breeding Strategies. Animals (Basel) 2025 Dec 29;16(1).
    doi: 10.3390/ani16010093pubmed: 41514782google scholar: lookup
  2. Veronesi MC, De Amicis I, Giangaspero BA, Fusi J, Robbe D, Castelli F, Carluccio A. Twin Pregnancy in the Martina Franca Donkey Breed Managed by Natural Reduction and Post-Fixation Manual Crushing. Animals (Basel) 2024 Aug 29;14(17).
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