Genome-wide Association Studies Identify Quantitative Trait Loci Affecting Cattle Temperament
Abstract BackgroundCattle temperament is one of the most interesting traits owing to its correlation to productive efficiency, labor safety and animal welfare, but its genetic basis is not clearly understood.ResultsHere, we performed genome-wide association studies for a series of temperament traits, assessed in an open field and novel object test, using autosomal SNPs derived from the whole-genome sequence. We identified 37 and 29 genome-wide significant loci in an open field and novel object test, respectively. Gene set analysis implicated the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway. Analysis in tissue specific expressions showed enrichment in the brain. While some candidate genes were involved in psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases in humans. The first principal component explained the largest variance in the data of open field and novel object test, and the most significant loci were assigned to SORCS3 and SESTD1, respectively.ConclusionsOur findings will facilitate cattle breeding for sound temperament by pyramiding favorable alleles to further improve the cattle production in the future.