Identification of Candidate Genes in Bovine Chromosome 21 for Feed Efficiency in Nellore Cattle Using Association Analysis and Linkage Disequilibrium Approach

Abstract Text: The beef cattle industry has a significant role in the production of greenhouse gases which makes important to select animals with high feed efficiency (FE). The aim of this study was to identify genes in bovine chromosome 21 in linkage disequilibrium with SNP associated with FE in Nellore cattle. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) for residual intake and body weight gain was performed and SNPs associated with the trait were identified in two regions of this chromosome. These regions were analyzed for linkage disequilibrium and haplotype blocks were created. We found four haplotype blocks in region 1 and one in region 2 containing significant SNPs. We could identify eight genes that may be related with FE and one possible regulatory region.  

Keywords:

Beef cattle

Haplotype

GWAS

Residual intake and body weight gain

SNPs