SIRE EARLY SELECTION FOR MALE FERTILITY USING SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISMS (SNPS) OF THE DAZL GENE

摘要

Methods and materials for identifying bovine males which will produce semen which will exhibit a higher rate of successfully impregnation by either artificial insemination or natural mating. The method employs SNPs that have been identified in the bDAZL gene which are associated with enhanced (or decreased) male fertility in bovine males and haplotypes formed from such SNPs. The method herein can be used to identify male dairy or beef cattle. The method herein can be applied to bovine animals at an appropriate time and particularly at birth or in utero. The invention further provides kits for conduction assays to assess bovine male fertility/infertility. The invention additionally provides a method of breeding cattle employing the methods and materials herein.