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Abstract

Malaysia is still reliant on importation of up to 80% of the nations� dairy and beef requirements. In an attempt to improve local beef and dairy production, cross breeding with high producing breeds is generally favored. However, fertility of the crossbred progenies is low as a result of the high humidity and temperature. To identify proteins that may be potential fertility and heat tolerance molecular marker(s), this study was undertaken to identify diff erences in sperm proteome between the high fertile Malaysian indigenous breed (Kedah Kelantan) and the low fertile crossbred cattle (Mafriwal). Frozen semen of three high performance bulls from each breed was processed to obtain live and pure sperm. Th e sperm were then homogenized to extract proteins and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was conducted over three replicates for each breed. Gel image analysis identifi ed protein spots of interest (99% confi dence level), which were further processed for identifi cation by MALDI-TOF/TOF. Among identifi ed proteins, four motility related proteins were up regulated in Kedah Kelantan. Sperm motility evaluation by CASA (Computer Assisted Semen Analysis) confi rmed signifi cantly higher motility in Kedah Kelantan sperm compared to Mafriwal. Further analysis of these proteins will allow us to evaluate their potential as selective markers indicating highly fertile and more environmentally compatible bulls for breeding purposes in tropical areas.

Biography

Ali Ashrafzadeh is a PhD candidate in Animal Biotechnology at the National University of Malaysia (UKM). He completed an MSc in Animal Reproduction Physiology and has 6 years experience in dairy and beef cattle reproduction management in tropical and subtropical areas.