The Genetic Architecture of Bovine Telomere Length in Early Life and Association With Animal Fitness.

ABSTRACT: Health and survival are key goals for selective breeding in farm animals. Progress, however, is often limited by the low heritability of these animal fitness traits in addition to measurement difficulties. In this respect, relevant early-life biomarkers may be useful for breeding purposes. Telomere length (TL), measured in leukocytes, is a good candidate biomarker since TL has been associated with health, ageing, and stress in humans and other species. However, telomere studies are very limited in farm animals. Here, we examined the genetic background, genomic architecture, and factors affecting bovine TL measurements in early life, and the association of the latter with animal fitness traits expressed later in life associated with survival, longevity, health, and reproduction. We studied

SUBMITTER: Ilska-Warner JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6843005 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature