猪X/Y精子的TLR7/8表达及其功能特征研究

X/Y精子分离技术是继人工授精、胚胎移植技术之后的一次重大技术创新，是家畜繁育改良的第三次技术革命。利用X/Y精子分离技术可以快速增加能繁母猪群体。目前为止，X/Y精子分离技术已在奶牛业中被广泛使用，但该技术未在猪物种上推广，其主要原因为猪物种的X/Y精子分离技术体系尚不成熟。项目申请人前期发现，TLR7/8的配体化合物R848可以通过调节精子代谢而改变运动，进而高效分离小鼠和牛的X/Y精子；然而，此方法并不完全适用于猪X/Y精子的分离，其调控机理尚不清楚。本项目拟利用代谢组学、免疫荧光等技术，探究TLR7/8在猪X/Y精子上的表达，并找出其在小鼠、猪和牛上的种间差异，从而揭示其在猪X/Y精子上的功能特征。本项目研究结果将为研发、构建猪X/Y精子分离的技术体系提供理论基础。

Separating of X-sperm and Y-sperm is a major technological innovation after the artificial insemination and embryo transfer technology, and regarded as the third technology revolution in livestock breeding. Utilization of sexing sperm can quickly increase the number of sow. Sexing sperm has been widely used in the dairy industry, but not on the pig species as it is difficult to separation of the boar X-sperm and Y-sperm. Our previous data showed that incubation of sperm with R848 (a ligand of TLR7/8) could effectively separate X-sperm and Y-sperm in mouse and bovine by regulation of the sperm metabolism. However, those method could not separation of boar X-sperm and Y-sperm as effective as in bovine, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. By using the techniques such as metabonomics, immunofluorescence, the aim of this research proposal is to evaluate the difference of TLR7/8 between boar X-sperm and Y-sperm, to find out the species difference in the sperm of boar, mouse and bovine, and to elucidate the function of TLR7/8 on boar X-sperm and Y-sperm. The findings of this proposal will extend the knowledge about the development of separating of boar X-sperm and Y-sperm.