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Published on: July 26, 2017
Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) polymorphisms in ruminants: A review of genetic associations with health, reproduction,
Mutasem Abuzahra1, Alfian Destomo1, Dwi Nur Happy Hariyono2
1Research Center for Animal Husbandry, Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Cibinong, Bogor 16911, Indonesia.
Veterinary Journal (London, England : 1997)
|July 15, 2026
Summary
Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene variations impact livestock health and productivity. TLR4 is linked to disease resistance, reproductive efficiency, and milk quality, offering potential for marker-assisted selection in breeding programs.
Area of Science:
- Animal Genetics and Immunology
- Livestock Production and Breeding
Background:
- Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a key innate immune system component.
- TLR4 is a significant candidate gene influencing health, productivity, and reproduction in livestock.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and analyze genetic association studies of TLR4 in cattle, buffaloes, sheep, and goats.
- To assess the significance of TLR4 in economically important livestock traits.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and analysis of genetic association studies focusing on TLR4.
- Evaluation of TLR4 polymorphisms and their association with various economic traits.
Main Results:
- TLR4 mutations are associated with mastitis resistance (via somatic cell score) and susceptibility to diseases like paratuberculosis.
- TLR4 polymorphisms correlate with reproductive metrics (calving interval, days open) and milk production traits (yield, fat, protein).
- Haplotype-based analyses provide more robust associations than single nucleotide polymorphisms, with breed-specific variations observed.
Conclusions:
- TLR4 possesses significant pleiotropic potential for genomic selection in livestock breeding.
- Further functional validation and multi-breed studies are needed, especially for small ruminants.
- Integrating TLR4 into breeding programs can enhance disease resistance, reproductive efficiency, and climate adaptability in livestock.
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