Genome-Wide Runs of Homozygosity Reveal Inbreeding Levels and Trait-Associated Candidate Genes in Diverse Sheep Breeds.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Quantifying and controlling the inbreeding level in livestock populations is crucial for the long-term sustainability of animal husbandry. However, the extent of inbreeding has not been fully understood in sheep populations on a global scale.

Methods

Here, we analyzed high-depth genomes of 210 sheep from 20 worldwide breeds to identify the pattern and distribution of genome-wide runs of homozygosity (ROH) and detect candidate selected genes in ROH islands for agronomic and phenotypic traits.

Results

Leveraging whole-genome sequencing data, we found a large number of short ROH (e.g., <1.0 Mb) in all breeds and observed the overall higher values of ROH statistics and inbreeding coefficient in European breeds than in Asian breeds and Dorper sheep. We identifie

SUBMITTER: Ma R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11942120 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature