Goat sperm associated antigen 17 protein gene (SPAG17): Small and large fragment genetic variation detection, association analysis, and mRNA expression in gonads.

Abstract Transcriptome sequencing analyses have suggested that SPAG17 may play important regulating roles in litter size. In this study, the expression profile of and genetic variation in the sperm associated antigen 17 protein gene (SPAG17) was studied in Shaanbei White Cashmere (SBWC) goats (n = 1567). SPAG17 was highly expressed in testis and ovary of SBWC goats. At different developmental stages, it also continued to be highly expressed in testis. In addition, two variations of SPAG17, one indel locus and one copy number variation locus, were significantly associated with first-born litter size. Joint analysis results suggested that two polymorphic loci of the SPAG17 gene may regulate host gene expression in goat ovary and testis. Overall, the results indicate the important role of SPAG17 in the reproductive process of goats.