Genetic Comparison and Selection of Reproductive and Growth-Related Traits in Qinchuan Cattle and Two Belgian Cattle Breeds.

ABSTRACT: This study investigates the genetic structure of Belgian Red (BR), Belgian Red and White (BWR), and Qinchuan (QinC) cattle, with a focus on identifying genes associated with reproductive functions, growth, and development. A total of 270 Belgian cattle (91 BR and 179 BWR) and 286 Qinchuan cattle were genotyped using the Illumina Bovine SNP 50K microarray. Data analysis was conducted using PLINK and Beagle 5.1 to estimate linkage disequilibrium (LD) and effective population size (Ne). Candidate SNP loci were identified by selecting the top 5% based on the weighted fixation index (Fst) and nucleotide diversity (θπ ratio), followed by gene annotation. The analysis revealed 160 candidate genes under selection between Qinchuan and Belgian Red cattle, and 98 candidate genes between Qinchuan and

SUBMITTER: Li X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11851807 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature