Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing of X and Y sperm in Holstein bulls reveals differences in autosomal methylation status
Aishao Shangguan,
Fengling Ding,
Rui Ding,
Wei Sun,
Xihe Li,
Xiangnan Bao,
Tiezhu Zhang,
Huihui Chi,
Qi Xiong,
Mingxin Chen,
Yang Zhou,
Shujun Zhang
Affiliations
Aishao Shangguan
Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering and Molecular Breeding, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Fengling Ding
Frontiers Science Center for Animal Breeding and Sustainable Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Ministry of Education
Rui Ding
National Center of Technology Innovation for Dairy
Wei Sun
National Center of Technology Innovation for Dairy
Xihe Li
National Center of Technology Innovation for Dairy
Xiangnan Bao
National Center of Technology Innovation for Dairy
Tiezhu Zhang
Inner Mongolia SaiKeXing Institute of Breeding and Reproductive Biotechnology in Domestic Animal
Huihui Chi
Inner Mongolia SaiKeXing Institute of Breeding and Reproductive Biotechnology in Domestic Animal
Qi Xiong
Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering and Molecular Breeding, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Mingxin Chen
Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering and Molecular Breeding, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Yang Zhou
Frontiers Science Center for Animal Breeding and Sustainable Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Ministry of Education
Shujun Zhang
Frontiers Science Center for Animal Breeding and Sustainable Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Ministry of Education
Abstract A comprehensive understanding of the molecular differences between X and Y sperm in Holstein bull semen is crucial for advancing sex control technologies. While previous studies have primarily focused on proteomic and transcriptomic differences, the genome-wide DNA methylation differences between these sperm types remains largely unexplored. In this study, we employed whole-genome bisulfite sequencing to systematically compare the autosomal methylation profiles of X and Y sperm. Although global methylation patterns showed remarkable consistency between the two sperm types, our localized comparative analysis revealed 12,175 differentially methylated regions mapping to 2,041 genes (differentially methylated genes, DMGs). Functional enrichment analysis of these DMGs revealed their involvement in essential biological processes, particularly in energy metabolism and membrane voltage regulation. Notably, SPA17 and CHCHD3, identified as hypermethylated genes in X sperm in this study, have also been reported to show lower protein expression levels in X sperm compared to Y sperm. Furthermore, we identified 28 DMGs functionally associated with spermatogenesis and 5 DMGs related to fertilization. Our findings lay the foundation for thorough understanding of molecular differences between X and Y sperm in bull, providing essential insights for the development of more advanced sex control technologies in the future.
