title: Copy number variations of the extensively amplified Y-linked genes, HSFY and ZNF280BY, in cattle and their association with male reproductive traits in Holstein bulls.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent transcriptomic analysis of the bovine Y chromosome revealed at least six multi-copy protein coding gene families, including TSPY, HSFY and ZNF280BY, on the male-specific region (MSY). Previous studies indicated that the copy number variations (CNVs) of the human and bovine TSPY were associated with male fertility in men and cattle. However, the relationship between CNVs of the bovine Y-linked HSFY and ZNF280BY gene families and bull fertility has not been investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We investigated the copy number (CN) of the bovine HSFY and ZNF280BY in a total of 460 bulls from 15 breeds using a quantitative PCR approach. We observed CNVs for both gene families within and between cattle breeds. The median copy number (MCN) of HSFY among all bulls was 197, ranging from 21 to 308. The MCN of ZNF280BY was 236, varying from 28 to 380. Furthermore, bulls in the Bos taurus (BTA) lineage had a significantly higher MCN (202) of HSFY than bulls in the Bos indicus (BIN) lineage (178), while taurine bulls had a significantly lower MCN (231) of ZNF280BY than indicine bulls (284). In addition, the CN of ZNF280BY was positively correlated to that of HSFY on the BTAY. Association analysis revealed that the CNVs of both HSFY and ZNF280BY were correlated negatively with testis size, while positively with sire conception rate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The bovine HSFY and ZNF280BY gene families have extensively expanded on the Y chromosome during evolution. The CN of both gene families varies significantly among individuals and cattle breeds. These variations were associated with testis size and bull fertility in Holstein, suggesting that the CNVs of HSFY and ZNF280BY may serve as valuable makers for male fertility selection in cattle.
authors: Xiang-Peng
authors: XP
authors: Yue
authors: Chad
authors: C
authors: Dechow
authors: Ti-Cheng
authors: TC
authors: Chang
authors: James Melton
authors: JM
authors: DeJarnette
authors: Clifton Eugene
authors: CE
authors: Marshall
authors: College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China. leichuzhao1118@126.com.
authors: Chu-Zhao
authors: CZ
authors: Lei
authors: Wan-Sheng
authors: WS
authors: Liu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D056915:DNA Copy Number Variations; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D050173:Genes, Y-Linked; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014998:Y Chromosome
chemical_list: D012097:Repressor Proteins; D010450:Endopeptidases; C112045:hirudin-sensitive fibroblast proteinase