Molecular insights on skewing of sex ratio in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) supplemented with dietary calcium and magnesium

The effect of dietary calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) supplementation on serum biochemical parameters, steroid hormones, gene expression, and the sex ratio was investigated in female New Zealand white rabbits. A total of ۲۵ rabbits were allocated into five treatment groups: The control group was fed with regular pellet feed, whereas, treatment groups were supplemented with Ca and Mg: T۱ (۰.۴۰% and ۰.۰۱%), T۲ (۰.۶۰% and ۰.۰۲%), T۳ (۰.۸۰% and ۰.۰۳%) and T۴ (۱.۰۰% and ۰.۰۴%), respectively. The rabbits were subjected to three breeding cycles. The T۳ group skewed towards females (۶۵.۳۳%) from all three breeding. There was elevated Ca concentration in T۳ (۱۵.۲۶ ± ۰.۷۷ mg dL-۱) and T۴ (۱۵.۶۱ ± ۰.۸۲ mg dL-۱) groups compared to the control. The concentration of estradiol was significantly high in T۳ and T۴ groups at ۰.۵ days post-coitus (dpc) and T۲, T۳ and T۴ groups at ۲۱dpc. Testosterone was significantly high in T۴ group at ۰.۵۰ dpc and T۲ and T۴ group at ۲۱dpc. The expression of ۱۳ genes was studied in the oviduct. Genes such as OVGP۱, CCT۴, ANXA۲ and TLR۴ were up-regulated and positively correlated with the female sex ratio. The molecular functions and pathways of up-regulated genes were suggestive of their role in fertilization such as sperm selection, sperm storage, immune regulation, implantation and early embryonic development. The variations in the serum electrolytes, steroid hormones and gene expression might have an impact on the skewing process.

کلیدواژه ها:

Calcium ، Gene expression ، Hormones ، Magnesium ، Sex pre-selection