| Summary: | The aim of the study was to search for new mutations in the previously studied gene loci of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (<i>FSHR</i>), inhibin α (<i>INHA</i>), inhibin β A (<i>INHAB</i>), prolactin (<i>PRL</i>), transition protein 2 (<i>TNP2</i>), and sperm flagella 2 (<i>SPEF2</i>) by sequencing, as well as the search for associations of previously identified mutations at these loci with fresh semen quality in Russian Holstein bulls. Phenotypic data from 189 bulls was collected. Data was analyzed for most bulls for three years of semen collection. The maximum value of each semen quality indicator (doublet ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, progressive motility and total number of spermatozoa) were selected. SNPs were identified in the <i>FSHR</i>, <i>INHA</i>, <i>INHAB</i>, <i>TNP2</i>, <i>SPEF2</i> genes. The <i>PRL</i> gene did not have polymorphism. Significant (<i>p</i> < 0.05) associations of polymorphisms in the <i>FSHR</i> gene with double ejaculate volume, concentration and total number of spermatozoa were identified. Polymorphism in the <i>INHA</i> gene was significantly associated (<i>p</i> < 0.05) with sperm concentration. Polymorphism in the <i>INHAB</i> gene was significantly associated (<i>p</i> < 0.05) with doublet ejaculate volume and total number of spermatozoa. Polymorphisms in the <i>TNP2</i> and <i>SPEF2</i> genes did not have significant associations with semen quality. The SNPs studied in our pilot work may be considered as candidate genetic markers in the selection of bulls.
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