Genome-wide association study identifies quantitative trait loci affecting cattle temperament.

Cattle temperament is an interesting trait due to its correlation with production efficiency, labor safety, and animal welfare. To date, however, its genetic basis is not clearly understood. Here, we performed a genome-wide association study for a series of temperament traits in cattle, assessed with via open field and novel object tests, using autosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) derived from the whole-genome sequence.

Whole-genome resequencing reveals diversity, global and local ancestry proportions in Yunling cattle.

Yunling cattle, a three-breed cross consisting of 1/2 Brahman cattle, 1/4 Murray Grey cattle and 1/4 Yunnan Yellow cattle, has advantage of rapid growth, good meat quality, enhanced tolerance towards a hot and humid climate, tick resistance and crude feed forbearance. Here, we investigated the genetic diversity, global and local ancestry proportions by sequencing the genomes of 131 Yungling cattle and 31 Brahman cattle (for control). Furthermore, we used 35 published genomes of ancestry breeds (including Angus cattle [ancestry of Murray Grey], Wannan cattle [ancestry of Yunnan Yellow cattle: Wenshan and Dianzhong], Wenshan and Dianzhong cattle) to characterize the formation process of Yunling cattle.

Genome-Wide Association Study Identifies Genomic Loci Associated With Neurotransmitter Concentration in Cattle.

Abnormal neurotransmitter concentration is one of the factors that affect the health status, behavioral personality, and welfare level of animals, but the genetic basis of the abnormality is still largely unknown. The objective of this study is to identify putative genomic loci associated with neurotransmitter concentration in cattle. We measured serotonin (5HT), dopamine (DA), cortisol, glutamate (Glu), and ACTH concentrations in blood serum using double-antibody sandwich ELISA in 30 Brahman cattle and 127 Yunling cattle.

Whole-genome analyses identify loci and selective signals associated with body size in cattle.

Body size plays a key role in production, health, selection, and environmental adaptation of animals, but the genetic basis of body size variation is not clearly understood. Here, we conducted genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of 15 body size traits using autosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) derived from whole-genome sequences of 31 Brahman cattle and 131 Yunling cattle and identified 20 significant loci, which implicated 18 candidate genes. For ischium width, the most significant SNP was assigned to LCORL, a famous gene controlling body size.

Genome-wide association study identifies genomic loci associated with flight reaction in cattle.

Lower flight reaction is closely related to higher production in cattle, but the genetic basis of lower flight reaction is not clearly understood. Here, we sampled a total of 45 Brahman cattles and 166 Yunling cattles with flight distance (FD), and 73 Brahman cattles and 288 Yunling cattles with crush score (CS) and flight speed (FS), whereas there were 45 Brahman cattles and 161 Yunling cattles with all three traits. The FD, CS and FS in Brahman cattle were significantly lower than those in Yunling cattle.