Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #227539
Title: Genomic signatures of artificial selection in U.S. Holstein cows

Author
item Sonstegard, Tad
item MA, LI - UNIV OF MINNESOTA
item Cole, John
item Wiggans, George
item Van Tassell, Curtis - Curt
item Liu, Ge - George
item MARIANI, BRIAN - GENETICS & IVF INSTITUTE
item CROOKER, BRIAN - UNIV OF MINNESOTA
item Vanraden, Paul
item Silva, Marcos

Submitted to: Animal Genetics International Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/20/2008
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Selection in Holstein cattle has achieved tremendous phenotypic changes over the past 40 years. However, it is unknown how selection has changed the Holstein genome and how those genome signatures of selection are associated with the phenotypic changes. To categorize genome regions either affected or unaffected by selection, we contrasted genome structure data between 148 contemporary Holsteins and 151 cows from an unselected line of Holsteins bred and maintained at the University of Minnesota since 1964. Marker genotypes from 46,231 SNP were analyzed for allele frequency differences and trait associations using Wright’s Fst test and EPISNPmpi, respectively. Comparison of the most significant marker effects with Fst results revealed strong signatures of selection for production traits on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 11, and 26. Chr 26 also had significant associations (16 markers; p<1.0E-12) with udder traits that co-localize with strong signatures of selection. Of the 31 SNPs with the most significant effects on both milk and daughter pregnancy rate, 29 had opposite effects on these traits providing strong evidence for the antagonistic effect of selection for production on fertility. These findings identify where selection has affected the genome and assist in searching for genes of large effect.