TY - JOUR
T1 - Genetic Parameters and Genome-Wide Association Studies for Anti-Müllerian Hormone Levels and Antral Follicle Populations Measured After Estrus Synchronization in Nellore Cattle
AU - Grigoletto, Laís
AU - Santana, Miguel Henrique Almeida
AU - Bressan, Fabiana Fernandes
AU - Eler, Joanir Pereira
AU - Nogueira, Marcelo Fábio Gouveia
AU - Kadarmideen, Haja N
AU - Baruselli, Pietro Sampaio
AU - Ferraz, José Bento Sterman
AU - Brito, Luiz F
PY - 2020
Y1 - 2020
N2 - Reproductive efficiency plays a major role in the long-term sustainability of livestock industries and can be improved through genetic and genomic selection. This study aimed to estimate genetic parameters (heritability and genetic correlation) and identify genomic regions and candidate genes associated with anti-Müllerian hormone levels (AMH) and antral follicle populations measured after estrous synchronization (AFP) in Nellore cattle. The datasets included phenotypic records for 1099 and 289 Nellore females for AFP and AMH, respectively, high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes for 944 animals, and 4129 individuals in the pedigree. The heritability estimates for AMH and AFP were 0.28 ± 0.07 and 0.30 ± 0.09, and the traits were highly and positively genetically correlated (rG = 0.81 ± 0.02). These findings indicated that these traits can be improved through selective breeding, and substantial indirect genetic gains are expected by selecting for only one of the two traits. A total of 31 genomic regions were shown to be associated with AMH or AFP, and two genomic regions located on BTA1 (64.9-65.0 Mb and 109.1-109.2 Mb) overlapped between the traits. Various candidate genes were identified to be potentially linked to important biological processes such as ovulation, tissue remodeling, and the immune system. Our findings support the use of AMH and AFP as indicator traits to genetically improve fertility rates in Nellore cattle and identify better oocyte donors.
AB - Reproductive efficiency plays a major role in the long-term sustainability of livestock industries and can be improved through genetic and genomic selection. This study aimed to estimate genetic parameters (heritability and genetic correlation) and identify genomic regions and candidate genes associated with anti-Müllerian hormone levels (AMH) and antral follicle populations measured after estrous synchronization (AFP) in Nellore cattle. The datasets included phenotypic records for 1099 and 289 Nellore females for AFP and AMH, respectively, high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes for 944 animals, and 4129 individuals in the pedigree. The heritability estimates for AMH and AFP were 0.28 ± 0.07 and 0.30 ± 0.09, and the traits were highly and positively genetically correlated (rG = 0.81 ± 0.02). These findings indicated that these traits can be improved through selective breeding, and substantial indirect genetic gains are expected by selecting for only one of the two traits. A total of 31 genomic regions were shown to be associated with AMH or AFP, and two genomic regions located on BTA1 (64.9-65.0 Mb and 109.1-109.2 Mb) overlapped between the traits. Various candidate genes were identified to be potentially linked to important biological processes such as ovulation, tissue remodeling, and the immune system. Our findings support the use of AMH and AFP as indicator traits to genetically improve fertility rates in Nellore cattle and identify better oocyte donors.
KW - Anti-Müllerian
KW - Biomarker
KW - Fertility rate
KW - GWAS
KW - Heritability
KW - Indicine
KW - Ovarian reserve
KW - Reproduction
KW - Zebu
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85087923619&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/ani10071185
DO - 10.3390/ani10071185
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 32668804
SN - 2076-2615
VL - 10
SP - 1
EP - 15
JO - Animals
JF - Animals
IS - 7
M1 - 1185
ER -