Schmidtmann Christin, Schönherz Anna, Guldbrandtsen Bernt, Marjanovic Jovana, Calus Mario, Hinrichs Dirk, Thaller Georg
Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, 24098, Kiel, Germany.
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, 8830, Tjele, Denmark.
Genet Sel Evol. 2021 Mar 6;53(1):23. doi: 10.1186/s12711-021-00613-6.
Local cattle breeds need special attention, as they are valuable reservoirs of genetic diversity. Appropriate breeding decisions and adequate genomic management of numerically smaller populations are required for their conservation. At this point, the analysis of dense genome-wide marker arrays provides encompassing insights into the genomic constitution of livestock populations. We have analyzed the genetic characterization of ten cattle breeds originating from Germany, The Netherlands and Denmark belonging to the group of red dairy breeds in Northern Europe. The results are intended to provide initial evidence on whether joint genomic breeding strategies of these populations will be successful.
Traditional Danish Red and Groningen White-Headed were the most genetically differentiated breeds and their populations showed the highest levels of inbreeding. In contrast, close genetic relationships and shared ancestry were observed for the populations of German Red and White Dual-Purpose, Dutch Meuse-Rhine-Yssel, and Dutch Deep Red breeds, reflecting their common histories. A considerable amount of gene flow from Red Holstein to German Angler and to German Red and White Dual-Purpose was revealed, which is consistent with frequent crossbreeding to improve productivity of these local breeds. In Red Holstein, marked genomic signatures of selection were reported on chromosome 18, suggesting directed selection for important breeding goal traits. Furthermore, tests for signatures of selection between Red Holstein, Red and White Dual-Purpose, and Meuse-Rhine-Yssel uncovered signals for all investigated pairs of populations. The corresponding genomic regions, which were putatively under different selection pressures, harboured various genes which are associated with traits such as milk and beef production, mastitis and female fertility.
This study provides comprehensive knowledge on the genetic constitution and genomic connectedness of divergent red cattle populations in Northern Europe. The results will help to design and optimize breeding strategies. A joint genomic evaluation including some of the breeds studied here seems feasible.
本地牛品种需要特别关注，因为它们是遗传多样性的宝贵储存库。为了保护这些品种，需要做出适当的育种决策并对数量较少的群体进行充分的基因组管理。此时，对密集的全基因组标记阵列进行分析可全面洞察家畜群体的基因组构成。我们分析了来自德国、荷兰和丹麦的十个属于北欧红色奶牛品种组的牛品种的遗传特征。研究结果旨在为这些群体的联合基因组育种策略是否会成功提供初步证据。
传统丹麦红牛和格罗宁根白头牛是遗传差异最大的品种，其群体的近亲繁殖水平最高。相比之下，德国红白花兼用牛、荷兰默兹-莱茵-伊塞尔牛和荷兰深红色牛的群体之间存在密切的遗传关系和共同祖先，反映了它们共同的历史。研究发现有相当数量的基因从红荷斯坦牛流向德国安格勒牛以及德国红白花兼用牛，这与为提高这些本地品种的生产力而频繁进行杂交育种一致。在红荷斯坦牛中，18号染色体上有明显的选择基因组特征，表明针对重要育种目标性状进行了定向选择。此外，对红荷斯坦牛、红白花兼用牛和默兹-莱茵-伊塞尔牛之间的选择特征测试发现，所有被调查的群体对之间都有信号。假定处于不同选择压力下的相应基因组区域含有与牛奶和牛肉生产、乳腺炎和雌性生育力等性状相关的各种基因。
本研究提供了关于北欧不同红色牛群体的遗传构成和基因组关联性的全面知识。研究结果将有助于设计和优化育种策略。包括这里研究的一些品种在内的联合基因组评估似乎是可行的。
