Identifying the Genetic Basis of Fetal Loss in Cows and Heifers Through a Genome-Wide Association Analysis.

ABSTRACT: Fetal loss, the spontaneous termination of pregnancy between day 42 and 260 of gestation, is poorly understood. Impacts of fetal loss include loss of production, increased health risk, and economic loss. The aims of this study were to identify loci associated with fetal loss in Holstein heifers and primiparous cows to facilitate the selection of reproductively efficient cattle and identify the genetic causes of fetal loss. A genome-wide association analysis (GWAA) compared 5714 heifers that calved at term (controls) to 416 heifers that experienced fetal loss (cases), and for primiparous cows, 2519 controls were compared to 273 cases. The efficient mixed-model association eXpedited approach in the SNP and Variation Suite (v 9.1) statistical software was used with additive, dominant, and rec

SUBMITTER: Issaka Salia O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12837429 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature