An MspI polymorphism in the inhibin alpha gene and its associations with superovulation traits in Chinese Holstein cows.

To identify a predictor to forecast superovulation response on the basis of associations between superovulation performance and gene polymorphism, the PCR-RFLP method was applied to detect an A>G transition determining an MspI polymorphism at position 192 in the exon I of the bovine inhibin alpha ( INHA) gene and evaluate its associations with superovulatory response in 118 Chinese Holstein cows treated for superovulation. Association analysis showed that cows with the GG genotype resulted in a significant increase in the number of ova (TNO) than AG and AA genotypes in the first ( P = 0.023), second ( P = 0.004) and third ( P = 0.002) superovulation treatments and produced more transferable embryos (NTE) than that of AG and AA genotypes in the third ( P = 0.045) superovulation treatment. Moreover, individuals with GG genotype produced more transferable embryos than AA ( P < 0.05) genotype in the second superovulation treatment and all cows without superovulation response were mutations with genotypes of AA and AG. These results indicate that INHA gene can be used as a predictor for superovulation in Chinese Holstein cows, and imply that cows with AA genotype should be excluded for superovulation practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]