Selection signature analysis reveals genes underlying sheep milking performance

Area of Science:

• Animal Genetics
• Genomics
• Livestock Science

Background:

• Sheep milk is vital for lamb nutrition and human consumption.
• Milk production and composition are influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
• Understanding genetic underpinnings is key to improving sheep milk traits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify candidate genes associated with ovine milk traits using selection signature analysis.
• To pinpoint genomic regions under selection related to milk performance in Lacaune sheep.
• To provide insights for future genetic improvement strategies in sheep.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Illumina Ovine SNP50 BeadChip data from meat and milk Lacaune sheep.
• Employed haplotype-based hapFLK analysis to detect selection signatures.
• Integrated quantitative trait loci (QTL) data with identified selection regions.

Main Results:

• Identified six significant selection signature regions on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 6, 13, and 18.
• Located 38 QTLs related to sheep milk performance within these selected regions.
• Pinpointed 334 candidate genes, with SUCNR1 and PPARGC1A suggested as highly significant.

Conclusions:

• Selection signature analysis effectively identified genomic regions impacting sheep milk traits.
• SUCNR1 and PPARGC1A are promising candidate genes for enhancing sheep milk production and quality.
• Findings provide a foundation for targeted genetic selection in sheep breeding programs.