Molecular markers, BM1500 and UMN2008, are associated with post-thaw motility of bull sperm

Cryopreservation is one of the most important aspects of frozen semen technology and livestock breeding. Uses of candidate molecular markers in selection strategies for male fertility are well recognized. The present investigation targeted two microsatellite markers (BM1500 and UMN 2008) for association with semen quality variables and freezing capacity in Frieswal (HF × Sahiwal) crossbred bulls of Indian origin. Of the different alleles at the polymorphic locus BM1500, the 136 bp allele was associated with greater (P < 0.05) post-thaw motility percentage (PTM) while the 134 allele was associated with less (P < 0.05) PTM. The 134/134 genotype at the polymorphic locus, UMN2008 was associated with greater (P < 0.05) post-thaw motility while there was no allele effect on PTM. When combined genotypes UMN2008/BM1500 were analyzed, the 134/134-136/136genotype had the greatest (P < 0.05) association with PTM. The present study is an initial report on the potential use of these markers as male reproductive biomarkers for improving semen freezing capacity in bulls.