Genomic, transcriptomic and epigenomic analysis towards the understanding of porcine semen quality traits. Past, current and future trends

The importance of boar reproductive traits, including semen quality, in the sustainability of pig production system is increasingly being acknowledged by academic and industrial sectors. Research is needed to understand the biology and genetic components underlying these traits so that they can be i...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Sa, Pedro, Gòdia, Marta, Lewis, Nicole, Lian, Yu, Clop, Alex
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Institución:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repositorio:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:digital.csic.es:10261/372725
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/372725
https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85197779601
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Pig
Sperm
Genetic
Transcriptomics
Single-cell
Omics
Descripción
Sumario:The importance of boar reproductive traits, including semen quality, in the sustainability of pig production system is increasingly being acknowledged by academic and industrial sectors. Research is needed to understand the biology and genetic components underlying these traits so that they can be incorporated into selection schemes and managerial decisions. This article reviews our current understanding of genome biology and technologies for genome, transcriptome and epigenome analysis which now facilitate the identification of causal variants affecting phenotypes more than ever before. Genetic and transcriptomic analysis of candidate genes, Genome-Wide Association Studies, expression microarrays, RNA-Seq of coding and noncoding genes and epigenomic evaluations have been conducted to profile the molecular makeups of pig sperm. These studies have provided insightful information for a several semen-related parameters. Nonetheless, this research is still incipient. The spermatozoon harbors a reduced transcriptome and highly modified epigenome, and it is assumed to be transcriptionally silent for nuclear gene expression. For this reason, the extent to which the sperm's RNA and epigenome recapitulate sperm biology and function is unclear. Hence, we anticipate that single-cell level analyses of the testicle and other male reproductive organs, which can reveal active transcription and epigenomic profiles in cells influencing sperm quality, will gain popularity and markedly advance our understanding of sperm-related traits. Future research will delve deeper into sperm fertility, boar resilience to environmental changes or harsh conditions, especially in the context of global warming, and also in transgenerational inheritance and how the environment influences the sperm transcriptome and epigenome.