Testis-specific isozyme of angiotensin converting enzyme (tACE) as a fertility marker in bulls

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Even a modest increase in the reproductive rate in cattle substantially enhances productivity. Therefore, research to improve reproductive efficiency is important for the dairy industry. Fertility varies 20-25% among frozen semen samples classified as satisfactory (based on traditional semen evaluation), implying there are submicroscopic differences in the structure and function of sperm from elite bulls maintained in commercial AI centers. Understanding the molecular basis of these variations in the fertilizing ability of sperm will have numerous applications in the dairy industry, as it will enable us to: 1) incorporate the genetic basis of variations in sperm function into bull selection models to select bulls with high fertility at their earliest possible age; 2) determine novel strategies for bull calf management (for example, nutrition) for modulating the expression of genes regulating fertility; and 3) identify molecular markers for fertility which will enable AI industries to develop laboratory tests for precisely documenting fertility of frozen semen and enable them to remain competitive in the global market. Our laboratory is focused on understanding the molecular basis of sperm function. The objective of this proposal is to investigate the potential of a testis-specific isozyme of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (tACE; a sperm membrane protein) as a fertility marker in dairy bulls. We expect that this collaborative project with dairy industries will elucidate the role of tACE in bull fertility, train highly qualified individual for academia and industry, and facilitate development of novel laboratory assays for predicting fertility of frozen semen at their earliest possible age. Our long-term goal is to generate new knowledge regarding molecular regulation of sperm function and translate this knowledge to applications at the industry level for bull selection and evaluation of frozen semen.