Genome-Wide Association Studies of Live Weight at First Breeding at Eight Months of Age and Pregnancy Status of Ewe Lambs

Emmanuelle Haslin; Emma J. Pettigrew; Rebecca E. Hickson; Paul R. Kenyon; Kristene R Gedye; Nicolas Lopez-Villalobos; J. M. D. R. Jayawardana; Stephen T Morris; Hugh T. Blair

doi:10.3390/genes14040805

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Genome-Wide Association Studies of Live Weight at First Breeding at Eight Months of Age and Pregnancy Status of Ewe Lambs

Journal article

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Peer reviewed

Genome-Wide Association Studies of Live Weight at First Breeding at Eight Months of Age and Pregnancy Status of Ewe Lambs

Emmanuelle Haslin, Emma J. Pettigrew, Rebecca E. Hickson, Paul R. Kenyon, Kristene R Gedye, Nicolas Lopez-Villalobos, J. M. D. R. Jayawardana, Stephen T Morris and Hugh T. Blair

Genes, Vol.14(4), 805

2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14040805

PMID: 37107563

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Abstract

Genetics & Heredity

Life Sciences & Biomedicine

Science & Technology

This study estimated genetic parameters and identified candidate genes associated with live weight, and the occurrence of pregnancy in 1327 Romney ewe lambs using genome-wide association studies. Phenotypic traits considered were the occurrence of pregnancy in ewe lambs and live weight at eight months of age. Genetic parameters were estimated, and genomic variation was assessed using 13,500 single-nucleotide polymorphic markers (SNPs). Ewe lamb live weight had medium genomic heritability and was positively genetically correlated with occurrence of pregnancy. This suggests that selection for heavier ewe lambs is possible and would likely improve the occurrence of pregnancy in ewe lambs. No SNPs were associated with the occurrence of pregnancy; however, three candidate genes were associated with ewe lamb live weight. Tenascin C (TNC), TNF superfamily member 8 (TNFSF8) and Collagen type XXVIII alpha 1 chain (COL28A1) are involved in extracellular matrix organization and regulation of cell fate in the immune system. TNC may be involved in ewe lamb growth, and therefore, could be of interest for selection of ewe lamb replacements. The association between ewe lamb live weight and TNFSF8 and COL28A1 is unclear. Further research is needed using a larger population to determine whether the genes identified can be used for genomic selection of replacement ewe lambs.

Details

Title: Genome-Wide Association Studies of Live Weight at First Breeding at Eight Months of Age and Pregnancy Status of Ewe Lambs
Authors/Creators: Emmanuelle Haslin - Massey University
Emma J. Pettigrew - Wairere Ltd, Masterton 5882, New Zealand
Rebecca E. Hickson - Focus (Germany)
Paul R. Kenyon - Massey University
Kristene R Gedye - Massey University
Nicolas Lopez-Villalobos - Massey University
J. M. D. R. Jayawardana - Uva Wellassa University
Stephen T Morris - Massey University
Hugh T. Blair - Massey University
Publication Details: Genes, Vol.14(4), 805
Publisher: MDPI
Number of pages: 13
Identifiers: 991005831942607891
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Agricultural Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.51 Dairy & Animal Sciences; 3.51.115 Livestock Reproduction
Web Of Science research areas: Genetics & Heredity
ESI research areas: Molecular Biology & Genetics