scholarly journals Confirmed effects of candidate variants for milk production, udder health, and udder morphology in dairy cattle

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thierry Tribout ◽  
Pascal Croiseau ◽  
Rachel Lefebvre ◽  
Anne Barbat ◽  
Mekki Boussaha ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Over the last years, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) based on imputed whole-genome sequences (WGS) have been used to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) and highlight candidate genes for important traits. However, in general this approach does not allow to validate the effects of candidate mutations or determine if they are truly causative for the trait(s) in question. To address these questions, we applied a two-step, within-breed GWAS approach on 15 traits (5 linked with milk production, 2 with udder health, and 8 with udder morphology) in Montbéliarde (MON), Normande (NOR), and Holstein (HOL) cattle. We detected the most-promising candidate variants (CV) using imputed WGS of 2515 MON, 2203 NOR, and 6321 HOL bulls, and validated their effects in three younger populations of 23,926 MON, 9400 NOR, and 51,977 HOL cows. Results Bull sequence-based GWAS detected 84 QTL: 13, 10, and 30 for milk production traits; 3, 0, and 2 for somatic cell score (SCS); and 8, 2 and 16 for udder morphology traits, in MON, NOR, and HOL respectively. Five genomic regions with effects on milk production traits were shared among the three breeds whereas six (2 for production and 4 for udder morphology and health traits) had effects in two breeds. In 80 of these QTL, 855 CV were highlighted based on the significance of their effects and functional annotation. The subsequent GWAS on MON, NOR, and HOL cows validated 8, 9, and 23 QTL for production traits; 0, 0, and 1 for SCS; and 4, 1, and 8 for udder morphology traits, respectively. In 47 of the 54 confirmed QTL, the CV identified in bulls had more significant effects than single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the standard 50K chip. The best CV for each validated QTL was located in a gene that was functionally related to production (36 QTL) or udder (9 QTL) traits. Conclusions Using this two-step GWAS approach, we identified and validated 54 QTL that included CV mostly located within functional candidate genes and explained up to 6.3% (udder traits) and 37% (production traits) of the genetic variance of economically important dairy traits. These CV are now included in the chip used to evaluate French dairy cattle and can be integrated into routine genomic evaluation.

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1018
Author(s):  
Yulin Ma ◽  
Muhammad Zahoor Khan ◽  
Jianxin Xiao ◽  
Gibson Maswayi Alugongo ◽  
Xu Chen ◽  
...  

Increasing milk production is one of the key concerns in animal production. Traditional breeding has gotten limited achievement in the improvement of milk production because of its moderate heritability. Milk production traits are controlled by many genes. Thus, identifying candidate genes associated with milk production traits may provide information that can be used to enhance the accuracy of animal selection for moderately heritable traits like milk production. The genomic selection can enhance the accuracy and intensity of selection and shortening the generation interval. The genetic progress of economically important traits can be doubled with the accuracy of selection and shortening of generation interval. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have made possible the screening of several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes associated with milk production traits in dairy cattle. In addition, RNA-sequencing is another well-established tool used to identify genes associated with milk production in dairy cattle. Although it has been widely accepted that these three methods (GWAS, RNA-seq and DNA sequencing) are considered the first step in the screening of genes, however, the outcomes from GWAS, DNA-sequencing and RNA-seq still need further verification for the establishment of bonafide causal variants via genetic replication as well as functional validation. In the current review, we have highlighted genetic markers identified (2010-to date) for their associations with milk production traits in dairy cattle. The information regarding candidate genes associated with milk production traits provided in the current review could be helpful to select the potential genetic markers for the genetic improvement of milk production traits in dairy cattle.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liyuan Liu ◽  
Jinghang Zhou ◽  
Chunpeng James Chen ◽  
Juan Zhang ◽  
Wan Wen ◽  
...  

AbstractHigh-yield and high-quality of milk are the primary goals of dairy production. Understanding the genetic architecture underlying these milk production traits is beneficial so that genetic variants can be targeted toward the genetic improvement. In this study, we measured five milk production traits in Holstein cattle population from China. These traits included milk yield, protein yield, fat yields; fat percentage and protein percentages. We used the estimated breeding values as dependent variables to conduct the genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Breeding values were estimated through pedigree relationships by using a mixed linear model for individuals with and without phenotypic data. Genotyping was carried out on the individuals with phenotypes by using the Illumina BovineSNP150 BeadChip. The association analyses were conducted by using the Fixed and random model Circulating Probability Unification (FarmCPU) method. A total of ten SNPs was detected above the genome-wide significant threshold, including six located in previously reported QTL regions. We found eight candidate genes within distances of 120 kb upstream or downstream to the associated SNPs. The most significant SNP is on DGAT1 gene affecting milk fat and protein percentage. These genetic variants and candidate genes would be valuable resources to enhance dairy cattle breeding.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
MP Mostari ◽  
MYA Khan

The study was carried out on Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD,) diacylglycerolacyltransferase-1 (DGAT1) and ATP-binding cassette G2 (ABCG2) genes which are responsible for variation in milk production traits (milk yield, fat yield, protein yield, and SNF yield) in cattle. These genes were used as candidate genes in Red Chittagong Cattle (RCC) breed of Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) herd for detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) causing variation in milk production traits. Focusing on the effects of SNPs on milk production traits, phenotypic variation within RCC breed was identified and categorized based on milk production traits. Average lactation yield varied from 527 to 1436 kg (n=29) per lactation. About 18% of lactating cows showed an average of >1000 kg per lactation. Average fat percent ranged from 4.71 to 6.25 (n=15). Eighteen (18) set of primers were designed to amplify targeted regions of SCD, DGAT1 and ABCG2 genes, where 8 set from DGAT1, 6 set from SCD and 4 set from ABCG2 gene. Pooled DNA from 50 RCC cows and 5 RCC bulls were used in sequencing. In sequence analysis, the SCD, DGAT1 and ABCG2 alleles found fixed in RCC. This study suggests an evidence that RCC breed has fixed alleles with respect to SCD, DGAT1 and ABCG2 genes reported to be responsible for higher milk fat yield, higher fat and protein percent. Bang. J. Livs. Res. Vol. 26 (1&2), 2019: P. 1-7


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1237
Author(s):  
Mohammed A. El-Magd ◽  
Aziza Fathy ◽  
Khaled A. Kahilo ◽  
Ayman A. Saleh ◽  
Ahmed I. El Sheikh ◽  
...  

Prolactin (PRL) and its receptor (PRLR) were considered as potential genetic markers for milk production and quality traits in cattle. However, little information is available regarding PRLR genetic diversity and association studies with milk traits in Egyptian water buffaloes. Therefore, the present study was conducted to search for mutations in PRLR and determine their associations with milk performance in these animals. Exon3 (E3) and E10 of PRLR were screened for polymorphisms using single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and sequencing in 400 buffaloes. The associations between haplotypes and milk production (fat%, protein%, lactose%, and solid%) traits as well as mRNA and protein levels of PRL and PRLR were studied. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in E10 were detected: g.11685G>A (p.Ala494Thr) and g.11773T>C (p.Val523Aal). The G and T alleles were wild (ancestral) alleles, while the A and C alleles were mutant alleles. These SNPs resulted in four haplotypes; AC, AT, GC, and GT. Buffaloes with wild GT haplotypes showed significantly higher milk yield, fat% and protein%, mRNA and protein levels of PRL and PRLR in milk somatic cells than other animals. Animals carrying mutant AC haplotype had inferior milk traits and lowest levels of associated mRNAs and proteins. With these results, we could conclude that the selection of buffaloes with wild GT haplotypes for g.11685G>A and g.11773T>C SNPs of the PRLR gene might improve the milk production traits of Egyptian water buffaloes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Sutera ◽  
V. Riggio ◽  
S. Mastrangelo ◽  
R. Di Gerlando ◽  
M. T. Sardina ◽  
...  

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