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Single-step genome-wide association analyses of claw horn lesions in Holstein cattle using linear and threshold models

Li, BJ; Barden, M; Kapsona, V; Sanchez-Molano, E; Anagnostopoulos, A; Griffiths, BE; Bedford, C; Dai, XX; Coffey, M; Psifidi, A; Oikonomou, G; Banos, G

Authors

BJ Li

M Barden

V Kapsona

E Sanchez-Molano

A Anagnostopoulos

BE Griffiths

C Bedford

XX Dai

M Coffey

A Psifidi

G Oikonomou

G Banos



Abstract

BackgroundLameness in dairy cattle is primarily caused by foot lesions including the claw horn lesions (CHL) of sole haemorrhage (SH), sole ulcers (SU), and white line disease (WL). This study investigated the genetic architecture of the three CHL based on detailed animal phenotypes of CHL susceptibility and severity. Estimation of genetic parameters and breeding values, single-step genome-wide association analyses, and functional enrichment analyses were performed.ResultsThe studied traits were under genetic control with a low to moderate heritability. Heritability estimates of SH and SU susceptibility on the liability scale were 0.29 and 0.35, respectively. Heritability of SH and SU severity were 0.12 and 0.07, respectively. Heritability of WL was relatively lower, indicating stronger environmental influence on the presence and development of WL than the other two CHL. Genetic correlations between SH and SU were high (0.98 for lesion susceptibility and 0.59 for lesion severity), whereas genetic correlations of SH and SU with WL also tended to be positive. Candidate quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified for all CHL, including some on Bos taurus chromosome (BTA) 3 and 18 with potential pleiotropic effects associated with multiple foot lesion traits. A genomic window of 0.65 Mb on BTA3 explained 0.41, 0.50, 0.38, and 0.49% of the genetic variance for SH susceptibility, SH severity, WL susceptibility, and WL severity, respectively. Another window on BTA18 explained 0.66, 0.41, and 0.70% of the genetic variance for SH susceptibility, SU susceptibility, and SU severity, respectively. The candidate genomic regions associated with CHL harbour annotated genes that are linked to immune system function and inflammation responses, lipid metabolism, calcium ion activities, and neuronal excitability.ConclusionsThe studied CHL are complex traits with a polygenic mode of inheritance. Most traits exhibited genetic variation suggesting that animal resistance to CHL can be improved with breeding. The CHL traits were positively correlated, which will facilitate genetic improvement for resistance to CHL as a whole. Candidate genomic regions associated with lesion susceptibility and severity of SH, SU, and WL provide insights into a global profile of the genetic background underlying CHL and inform genetic improvement programmes aiming at enhancing foot health in dairy cattle.

Citation

Li, B., Barden, M., Kapsona, V., Sanchez-Molano, E., Anagnostopoulos, A., Griffiths, B., Bedford, C., Dai, X., Coffey, M., Psifidi, A., Oikonomou, G., & Banos, G. (2023). Single-step genome-wide association analyses of claw horn lesions in Holstein cattle using linear and threshold models. Genetics Selection Evolution, 55(1), https://doi.org/10.1186/s12711-023-00784-4

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Feb 8, 2023
Online Publication Date Mar 10, 2023
Publication Date 2023
Deposit Date Feb 6, 2024
Publicly Available Date Feb 6, 2024
Print ISSN 0999-193X
Electronic ISSN 1297-9686
Publisher BioMed Central
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 55
Issue 1
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/s12711-023-00784-4
Keywords DUTCH DAIRY-CATTLE; HOOF HEALTH TRAITS; GENETIC-PARAMETERS; CLINICAL MASTITIS; LAMENESS; DISORDERS; COWS; CONFORMATION; PREVALENCE; FARMS

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