Identification of Loci and Pathways Associated with Heifer Conception Rate in U.S. Holsteins.

ABSTRACT: Heifer conception rate (HCR) is defined as the percentage of inseminated heifers that become pregnant at each service. The genome-wide association analyses in this study focused on identifying the loci associated with Holstein heifer (n = 2013) conception rate at first service (HCR1) and the number of times bred (TBRD) to achieve a pregnancy. There were 348 unique loci associated (p < 5 × 10-8) with HCR1 and 615 unique loci associated (p < 5 × 10-8) with TBRD. The two phenotypes shared 302 loci, and 56 loci were validated in independent cattle populations. There were 52 transcription factor binding sites (TFBS) and 552 positional candidate genes identified in the HCR1- and TBRD-associated loci. The positional candidate genes and the TFBS associated with HCR1 and TBRD were used in the ingen

SUBMITTER: Galliou JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7397161 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature