Wang Shunzhe, Liang Long, Ziyayiding Dilinigeer, Jiao Wenjing, Kasimu Hailati, He Sangang, Liu Mingjun
Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of Xinjiang, Key Laboratory of Genetics Breeding and Reproduction of Grass Feeding Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Institute of Biotechnology, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Science, Urumqi, China.
Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China.
Front Genet. 2025 Jun 27;16:1576125. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2025.1576125. eCollection 2025.
Inbreeding and genetic diversity are critical factors influencing the adaptability, productivity, and sustainability of livestock populations. Teha sheep, a crossbred line between Texel and Kazakh sheep, are an important meat-producing breed in China, yet their genetic structure and inbreeding status remain underexplored. In this study, we aim to evaluate inbreeding coefficients, genetic diversity, and selection signatures in Teha sheep by integrating pedigree and genomic data.
Analysis of pedigree data from 2,652 individuals revealed a low inbreeding coefficient (FPED = 0.001), whereas analysis of genomic data from 1,271 individuals indicated slightly higher inbreeding coefficients, with the FROH averaging 0.044. Genetic diversity metrics, including Ho = 0.347 and PIC = 0.345, confirmed moderate variability within the population. A significant region of runs of homozygosity (ROH) hotspot was identified on chromosome 2 (112.01-119.89 Mb), encompassing genes such as , , and , which are associated with muscle growth, fat metabolism, and skeletal development. Notably, , , and were identified as key genes shared across ROH hotspots, QTL regions, and LD blocks, implicating their roles in growth efficiency, carcass quality, and protein regulation under stress. These findings reveal critical genomic regions contributing to the breed's productivity and adaptability.
In this study, we highlight the low inbreeding levels and moderate genetic diversity of Teha sheep, emphasizing the integration of pedigree and genomic analyses for sustainable breeding programs. The identification of key genes provides a foundation for optimizing productivity and maintaining genetic variability in this important livestock population.
近亲繁殖和遗传多样性是影响家畜群体适应性、生产力和可持续性的关键因素。特哈羊是特克塞尔羊和哈萨克羊的杂交品系，是中国重要的肉用品种，但其遗传结构和近亲繁殖状况仍未得到充分研究。在本研究中，我们旨在通过整合系谱和基因组数据来评估特哈羊的近亲繁殖系数、遗传多样性和选择印记。
对2652个个体的系谱数据进行分析，发现近亲繁殖系数较低（FPED = 0.001），而对1271个个体的基因组数据进行分析表明，近亲繁殖系数略高，平均FROH为0.044。包括Ho = 0.347和PIC = 0.345在内的遗传多样性指标证实了群体内存在中等程度的变异性。在2号染色体（112.01 - 119.89 Mb）上鉴定出一个显著的纯合子连续片段（ROH）热点区域，该区域包含与肌肉生长、脂肪代谢和骨骼发育等相关的基因，如 、 和 。值得注意的是， 、 和 被确定为在ROH热点区域、QTL区域和连锁不平衡（LD）块中共享的关键基因，这表明它们在应激条件下对生长效率、胴体品质和蛋白质调节方面发挥作用。这些发现揭示了对该品种生产力和适应性有贡献的关键基因组区域。
在本研究中，我们强调了特哈羊近亲繁殖水平较低和遗传多样性中等的特点，强调了系谱和基因组分析相结合以制定可持续育种计划的重要性。关键基因的鉴定为优化该重要家畜群体的生产力和维持遗传变异性提供了基础。
