Implication of FKBP6 for male fertility in horses.

The research article examines the implication of the FKBP6 gene mutation in determining the fertility rates of Hanoverian stallions, revealing significant data that links a specific mutation to increased or decreased conception rates.

Objective of the Research

• The primary goal of this study was to investigate the FK506-binding protein (FKBP6) gene in stallions, particularly in relation to impaired acrosome reaction (IAR) and its potential for causing subfertility.

Methodology

• The researchers examined the whole-genome sequence data of seven stallions and scrutinized the FKBP6 gene for mutations.
• An association study was then conducted in Hanoverian stallions to measure breeding values for the paternal component of the pregnancy rate per oestrus cycle (EBV-PAT).
• Five exonic mutations in the FKBP6 gene were identified and genotyped. These were then compared against EBV-PAT to study any potential associations.

Findings

• The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) identified as g.11040379C>A (p.167H>N) was found to have a significant association with EBV-PAT in 216 Hanoverian stallions.
• The two homozygous genotypes displayed a difference of 7.62% in EBV-PAT, equivalent to one standard deviation of EBV-PAT.

Conclusion

• The study concluded that the FKBP6-associated SNP g.11040379C>A played a decisive role in determining conception rates in Hanoverian stallions. Stallions with the A/A homozygous gene mutation displayed higher conception rates as opposed to those with the C/C homozygous mutation which had lower rates.
• Hence, it was established that an FKBP6-associated missense mutation is significantly associated with stallion fertility.