Contributions of JY-1, an Oocyte-Specific Gene, to Reproductive Biology and Biodiversity

Fertility problems are among the leading causes of significant economic losses in livestock production. Understanding the genetic substructure of fertility and identifying the genes that may be effective on fertility and the mutations in these genes, and examining their possible effects are very important in terms of sustainable livestock production and in terms of contributions to studies on reproductive problems in mammals. Oocyte-specific genes play a crucial role in orchestrating early developmental events, and regulating ovarian follicle function; among these, JY-1, a recent identified oocyte-specific gene, stands out as a bovine oocyte-derived secreted protein that critically influences granulosa cell activity and is indispensable for proper embryonic progression, underscoring its unique and species-specific contribution to reproductive success. In this context, several polymorphisms in the JY-1 gene have been identified, some of which are associated with reproductive performance traits and in vitro embryo production. As a bovine-specific, maternally derived oocyte-secreted protein, JY-1, provides critical insights into the genetic basis of female fertility and offers new opportunities for improving reproductive traits and maintaining biodiversity in cattle. Despite its potential contributions to animal breeding and the conservation of genetic resources, studies on this gene remain limited. In this study beside general information on the gene, genetic polymorphisms and their importance intended to summarized.