Skip to main content
ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #314902
Title: Selection signature analysis in Holstein cattle identified genes known to affect reproduction

Author
item MA, LI - University Of Maryland
item Sonstegard, Tad
item Van Tassell, Curtis - Curt
item Cole, John
item Wiggans, George
item CROOKER, BRIAN - University Of Minnesota
item PONCE DE LEON, F. ABEL - University Of Minnesota
item YANG, DA - University Of Minnesota

Submitted to: Journal of Dairy Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/17/2015
Publication Date: 7/12/2015
Citation: Ma, L., Sonstegard, T.S., Van Tassell, C.P., Cole, J.B., Wiggans, G.R., Crooker, B., Ponce De Leon, F., Yang, D. 2015. Selection signature analysis in Holstein cattle identified genes known to affect reproduction. Journal of Dairy Science. 98(Suppl. 2)/Journal of Animal Science 93(Suppl. 3):350(abstr. T102).

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Using direct comparison of 45,878 SNPs between a group of Holstein cattle unselected since 1964 and contemporary Holsteins that on average take 30 days longer for successful conception than the 1964 Holsteins, we conducted selection signature analyses to identify genomic regions associated with dairy fertility. Several genes known to affect reproduction were located in or near genomic regions with strong selection signals, including the fibroblast growth factor 1 gene (FGF1) on Chr07; the follicle stimulating hormone receptor gene (FSHR) and the luteinizing hormone choriogonadotropin receptor gene (LHCGR) on Chr11; the KIT ligand gene (KITLG or KITL), the fibroblast growth factor 6 and 23 genes (FGF6 and FGF23) and the cyclin D2 gene (CCND2) on Chr05; the placental growth factor gene (PGF or PLGF) and the estrogen-related receptor beta gene (ESRRB) 2Mb downstream of PGF on Chr10; and the prolactin receptor gene (PRLR) on Chr20. The selection signal for FGF1 was among the strongest selection signals we observed. Functions of these genes reported in the literature are as follows. FGF1 is involved in broad mitogenic and cell survival activities including embryonic development, PGF plays a key role in embryogenesis, ESRRB plays an essential role in placenta development, FSHR is necessary for follicular development and is expressed on the granulosa cells that are closely associated with the developing female gamete in the ovary of mammals, and LHCGR is necessary for follicular maturation and ovulation. Mouse knockout models showed that FSHR, KITLG, CCNG2 and PRLR were involved in female fertility proteins. These known gene functions related to reproduction and the fact that these genes were in or near chromosomal regions with strong selection signals indicate that these genes could be involved in the vast difference in fertility between contemporary Holsteins and the 1964 Holsteins.