Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Fluorimetric Techniques for the Assessment of Sperm Membranes
Published on: November 28, 2018
Polymorphisms in candidate genes as markers for sperm quality and boar fertility
1Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Bonn, Endenicher Allee 15, D-53115 Bonn, Germany. wimmers@fbn-dmmerstorf.de
Abstract:
Alpha-actinins (ACTN1 and ACTN4) and gamma-actin (ACTG2), were investigated as candidate genes on the basis of their known functions, for their possible association with sperm concentration, motility, semen volume per ejaculate, plasma droplets rate, abnormal sperm rate and the fertility traits, non-return rate and number of piglets born alive. Polymorphisms were identified in intron 18 (G>A) of the porcine ACTN1 gene and in exon 22 (A>C) of the porcine ACTN4 gene by comparative sequencing of animals from the Pietrain (PI) and Hampshire (HA) breeds. Pietrain (n = 244) and crossbreed PI x HA (n = 112) boars from an artificial insemination boar station were genotyped for the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within ACTN1 and ACTN4 as well as for a previously described microsatellite within ACTG2. The study provides evidence for effects of ACTN1 on fertility and of ACTG2 on sperm quality traits, while no indication of impact of ACTN4 on any of these traits was found.
Related Concept Videos
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase
Polygenic Traits
Genetic Variation
Genes exist in different versions called alleles, which...
Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets

