Probing of MEP1A gene to identify biomarkers associated with post-partum anestrus in buffalo

Post parturition period during which female animal does not exhibit estrus behavior and is unable to get successfully fertilized and conceive is known as post-partum anestrus. It causes buffalo reproduction failure, restricts the full exploitation of buffalo for milk and meat and down turning of the national economy of agricultural countries. Post-partum anestrus is one of the most ignored factors influenced by farm environmental conditions and genetic complement of animal. In the present study, we have tried to get an insight into genetic predisposition of anestrus by characterization of MEPA1 gene which decreases serum Igf-1 concentration during port partum stage. Sequences of MEPA1 gene retrieved from Ensembl database were analyzed by EXPASY, GeneMANIA, SIFT, I-Mutant, PROTPARAM, CELLO2GO, HOPE server, PHYRE2, SOPMA and SOSUI. SNPs reported in cases 19-23 were found to alter localization of protein. SNPs documented in cases 3, 4, 10, 14, 16, 19 and 23 affected topology. Variants in cases 4, 8-10 and 15 changed 3D structure. Hence, SNPs rs470711084, rs464074496, rs109405018, rs473528825, rs470711084, rs519229329, rs474419241, rs464074496, rs517701562, rs467425367, rs451973288, rs462968442, rs133043096, rs433804044, rs4442522640, rs464074496, rs444252640, rs443365364 and rs443365364 might assist in selection of animals with least susceptibility for post-partum anestrus at the time of selective breeding.