Genomic insights into adaptation and inbreeding among Sub-Saharan African cattle from pastoral and agropastoral systems.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), cattle are crucial for socioeconomic stability yet face numerous environmental stressors such as diseases, parasites, and extreme heat within pastoral and agropastoral systems. Despite their significance, gaps remain in understanding how genetic diversity and inbreeding influence traits essential for disease resistance and environmental adaptability. This study examines the genomic adaptations that enable SSA cattle to thrive under these conditions and assesses the impact of inbreeding on such adaptive traits.

Methods

We analyzed genomic data from 113 cattle across four breeds-Kuri, N'dama, Zebu-Fulani, and Zebu-Bororo-employing Runs of Homozygosity (ROH) and Integrated Haplotype Score (iHS) analyses to identify historical and recent g

SUBMITTER: Akinsola OM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11306176 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature