biostudies-literatureUnknown12Song YAltitude adaptation is a complex process involving multiple physiological and biochemical responses to hypoxia and other environmental stresses. In-depth genetic analysis of Tibetan sheep, which exhibit significant adaptations to high-altitude hypoxia, promises to elucidate hypoxia-tolerance mechanisms in plateau animals. Here, we conducted a genome-wide selection scan on three Tibetan sheep populations: low-altitude Tao (TS; 2887 m), medium-altitude Tianjun white (WT; 3331 m), and high-altitude Huoerba (HB; 4614 m). Using the population differentiation index (Fst) and nucleotide diversity (θπ) ratio, we analyzed selection signals associated with hypoxia at high-altitudes. We screened 865, 941, and 876 candidate genes in the TS vs. WT, TS vs. HB, and WT vs. HB group comparisons, respectiveFrontiers in veterinary science1632017https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12392279biostudies-literatureGenome-wide selection signal analysis reveals the adaptability of Tibetan sheep to high altitudes.PMC12392279Yuan CLiu JLu ZWang FGuo TChen BSong YfalseGenome-wide selection signal analysis reveals the adaptability of Tibetan sheep to high altitudes.Altitude adaptation is a complex process involving multiple physiological and biochemical responses to hypoxia and other environmental stresses. In-depth genetic analysis of Tibetan sheep, which exhibit significant adaptations to high-altitude hypoxia, promises to elucidate hypoxia-tolerance mechanisms in plateau animals. Here, we conducted a genome-wide selection scan on three Tibetan sheep populations: low-altitude Tao (TS; 2887 m), medium-altitude Tianjun white (WT; 3331 m), and high-altitude Huoerba (HB; 4614 m). Using the population differentiation index (Fst) and nucleotide diversity (θπ) ratio, we analyzed selection signals associated with hypoxia at high-altitudes. We screened 865, 941, and 876 candidate genes in the TS vs. WT, TS vs. HB, and WT vs. HB group comparisons, respective2025-01-01T00:00:00Z20252026-05-29T17:53:17.108Z2026-04-08T05:43:10.392ZS-EPMC123922794089578910.3389/fvets.2025.1632017