Functionally prioritised whole-genome sequence variants improve the accuracy of genomic prediction for heat tolerance.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Heat tolerance is a trait of economic importance in the context of warm climates and the effects of global warming on livestock production, reproduction, health, and well-being. This study investigated the improvement in prediction accuracy for heat tolerance when selected sets of sequence variants from a large genome-wide association study (GWAS) were combined with a standard 50k single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panel used by the dairy industry.

Methods

Over 40,000 dairy cattle with genotype and phenotype data were analysed. The phenotypes used to measure an individual's heat tolerance were defined as the rate of decline in milk production traits with rising temperature and humidity. We used Holstein and Jersey cows to select sequence variants linked to heat

SUBMITTER: Cheruiyot EK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8858496 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature