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Published on: December 23, 2018
Genome-Wide Association Studies of Milk Composition Traits in Holstein Cattle Raised in Tropical and Subtropical
Emanueli F P Silva1, Rita C Gaia1, Henrique A Mulim2
1Department of Animal Sciences, State University of Ponta Grossa, Ponta Grossa 84010-330, PR, Brazil.
Abstract:
Genetic selection has effectively increased milk, fat, and protein yields in dairy cattle populations. This study aimed to identify genomic regions and candidate genes associated with milk composition traits in Brazilian Holstein cattle using single-step genome-wide association studies (ssGWAS), functional genomic enrichment, and gene network analyses. Phenotypic data for fat and protein yield and percentage from 2339 cows genotyped with a 100K SNP chip were analyzed. Twenty-nine candidate genes were identified, including CPSF1, DGAT1, and SLC52A2 which were associated with all four traits. GHR and NNT were related to fat and protein percentages. Protein yield and percentage shared HSTN, CSN1S1, and CSN2, while SLC15A5 and RERG were linked with fat yield and percentage. Functional genomic analyses indicate that these genes are mainly involved in lipid and energy metabolism and protein synthesis and secretion. Identifying such genes and pathways can support the genetic improvement of Holstein cattle under tropical and subtropical conditions.
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