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.

转录组测序分析表明SPAG17可能在窝产仔数中发挥重要的调节作用。在本研究中，对陕北白绒（SBWC）山羊（n = 1567）精子相关抗原17蛋白基因（SPAG17）的表达谱和遗传变异进行了研究。SPAG17在SBWC山羊的睾丸和卵巢中高度表达。在不同的发育阶段，它也在睾丸中持续高表达。此外，SPAG17 的两个变异，一个indel基因座和一个拷贝数变异基因座，与第一胎的窝产仔数显着相关。联合分析结果表明SPAG17 的两个多态位点基因可能调控山羊卵巢和睾丸中宿主基因的表达。总之，结果表明SPAG17在山羊繁殖过程中的重要作用。