Fine-Scale Analysis of Runs of Homozygosity Islands Affecting Fertility in Mares.

ABSTRACT: The loss of genetic variability in livestock populations bred under strict selection processes is a growing concern, as it may lead to increased inbreeding values and lower fertility, as a consequence of the "inbreeding depression" effect. This is particularly important in horses, where inbreeding levels tend to rise as individuals become more and more closely related. In this study, we evaluated the effect of increased inbreeding levels on mare fertility by combining an SNP-based genomic approach using runs of homozygosity and the estimation of genetic breeding values for reproductive traits in a large population of Pura Raza Española mares. Our results showed a negative correlation between whole-genome homozygosity and fertility estimated breeding values (EBVs) at the genome level (ρ<

SUBMITTER: Laseca N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8891756 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature