Abstract

Transition nuclear proteins (TPs), the major proteins found in chromatin of condensing spermatids, have been reported to be important for histone displacement and chromatin condensation during mammalian spermatogenesis. In the present study, transition nuclear protein-1 (TNP-1) gene was analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) technique- to detect polymorphism in Murrah bulls. Analysis of TNP-1 gene sequence of Murrah buffalo revealed 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at 205, 340 and 346 bp positions of intronic region. The effect of this polymorphism was explored on individual motility, mass activity and maturation of spermatozoa. Analysis of variance indicates that two variants C and D of Murrah buffalo had significant effect on spermatozoal maturation. However, their effects on individual motility and mass activity was non significant.

Key words: TNP-1 gene, polymorphism, infertility, sub-fertility, sperm maturation, SNP.