Genome-wide association analysis of heifer livability and early first calving in Holstein cattle.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The survival and fertility of heifers are critical factors for the success of dairy farms. The mortality of heifers poses a significant challenge to the management and profitability of the dairy industry. In dairy farming, achieving early first calving of heifers is also essential for optimal productivity and sustainability. Recently, Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) and USDA have developed new evaluations of heifer health and fertility traits. However, the genetic basis of these traits has yet to be thoroughly studied.

Results

Leveraging the extensive U.S dairy genomic database maintained at CDCB, we conducted large-scale GWAS analyses of two heifer traits, livability and early first calving. Despite the large sample size, we found no major QTL for heifer

SUBMITTER: Gao Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10590504 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature