Akinsola Oludayo M, Musa Abdulraheem A, Muansangi Lal, Singh Sanchit P, Mukherjee Sabyasachi, Mukherjee Anupama
Department of Theriogenology and Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.
Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany.
Front Genet. 2024 Jul 25;15:1430291. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1430291. eCollection 2024.
In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), cattle are crucial for socioeconomic stability yet face numerous environmental stressors such as diseases, parasites, and extreme heat within pastoral and agropastoral systems. Despite their significance, gaps remain in understanding how genetic diversity and inbreeding influence traits essential for disease resistance and environmental adaptability. This study examines the genomic adaptations that enable SSA cattle to thrive under these conditions and assesses the impact of inbreeding on such adaptive traits.
We analyzed genomic data from 113 cattle across four breeds-Kuri, N'dama, Zebu-Fulani, and Zebu-Bororo-employing Runs of Homozygosity (ROH) and Integrated Haplotype Score (iHS) analyses to identify historical and recent genetic selections. Strict quality controls using PLINK software ensured accurate genomic pattern identification related to adaptation and inbreeding.
ROH analysis revealed islands with genes such as and , which are involved in immune response and cellular stress management, highlighting regions of historical selection that have likely provided adaptive advantages in overcoming environmental and pathogenic stresses. In contrast, iHS analysis identified genes under recent selection like , involved in stress response regulation, and , which plays a crucial role in neural development and synaptic functions, potentially equipping these breeds with novel adaptations to ongoing and emergent environmental challenges.
This research confirms that selective pressures inherent in pastoral and agropastoral systems profoundly influence the genetic structure of SSA cattle. By delineating the genetic bases of key adaptive traits, our study offers crucial insights for targeted breeding programs to enhance cattle resilience and productivity. These findings provide a valuable framework for future genetic improvements and conservation strategies, crucial for sustainable livestock management and economic stability in SSA.
在撒哈拉以南非洲地区（SSA），牛对于社会经济稳定至关重要，但在牧区和农牧混合系统中面临诸多环境压力因素，如疾病、寄生虫和酷热。尽管牛具有重要意义，但在了解遗传多样性和近亲繁殖如何影响抗病性和环境适应性所需性状方面仍存在差距。本研究考察了使SSA地区的牛能在这些条件下茁壮成长的基因组适应性，并评估近亲繁殖对这类适应性性状的影响。
我们分析了四个品种（库里牛、恩达马牛、瘤牛 - 富拉尼牛和瘤牛 - 博罗罗牛）共113头牛的基因组数据，采用纯合子片段（ROH）和综合单倍型评分（iHS）分析来识别历史和近期的遗传选择。使用PLINK软件进行严格的质量控制，以确保准确识别与适应性和近亲繁殖相关的基因组模式。
ROH分析揭示了含有如 和 等基因的区域，这些基因参与免疫反应和细胞应激管理，突出了历史选择区域，这些区域可能在克服环境和致病压力方面提供了适应性优势。相比之下，iHS分析确定了近期选择的基因，如参与应激反应调节的 ，以及在神经发育和突触功能中起关键作用的 ，这可能使这些品种具备应对持续和新出现的环境挑战的新适应性。
本研究证实，牧区和农牧混合系统中固有的选择压力深刻影响着SSA地区牛的遗传结构。通过描绘关键适应性性状的遗传基础，我们的研究为有针对性的育种计划提供了重要见解，以提高牛的恢复力和生产力。这些发现为未来的遗传改良和保护策略提供了宝贵框架，这对于SSA地区的可持续畜牧业管理和经济稳定至关重要。
