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This study explores various questions related to the distribution and location of genetic effects for dairy traits in cattle. The researchers investigate the best fitting model for the data, identify genes of large effect, use marker effects to locate recessive alleles, examine the handling of the X chromosome, and propose ways to use marker effects for better breeding decisions.
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Distribution and Location of Genetic Effects for Dairy Traits
Questions of Interest • What model best fits our data? • Have we found any genes of large effect? • Can we use marker effects to locate autosomal recessives? • How do we handle the X chromosome? • How can we use marker effects to make better breeding decisions?
Experimental Design • Predict April 2008 daughter deviations from August 2003 PTA • Similar to Interbull trend test 3 • 3576 older Holstein bulls • 1759 younger bulls (total = 5335) • Results computed for 27 traits: 5 yield, 5 health, 16 conformation, and Net Merit (NM$)
Linear and Nonlinear Predictions • Linear model • Infinitesimal alleles model in which all loci have non-zero effects • Nonlinear models • Model A: infinitesimal alleles with a heavy-tailed prior • Model B: finite locus model with normally-distributed marker effects • Model AB: finite locus model with a heavy-tailed prior
R-square values comparing linear to nonlinear genomic predictions
Largest Effects • Fat %: largest effect on BTA 14 flanking the DGAT1 gene, with lesser effects on milk and fat yield • Protein %: large effects on BTA 6 flanking the ABCG2 gene • Net Merit: a marker on BTA 18 had the largest effect on NM$, in a region previously identified as having a large effect on fertility
Dystocia Complex • Markers on BTA 18 had the largest effects for several traits: • Dystocia and stillbirth: Sire and daughter calving ease and sire stillbirth • Conformation: rump width, stature, strength, and body depth • Efficiency: longevity and net merit • Large calves contribute to shorter PL and decreased NM$
Biology of the Dystocia Complex • The key marker is ss86324977 at 57,125,868 Mb on BTA 18 • Located in a cluster of CD33-related Siglec genes • Many Siglecs are involved in the leptin signaling system • Preliminary results also indicate an effect on gestation length
Locating Causative Mutations • Genomics may allow for faster identification of causative mutations • Identifies SNP in strong linkage disequilibrium with recessive loci • Tested using BLAD, CVM, and RED • Only a few dozen genotyped carriers are needed
SNP on X Chromosome • Each animal has two evaluations • Expected genetic merit of daughters • Expected genetic merit of sons • Difference is sum of effects on X • SD = 0.1 σG, smaller than expected • Correlation with sire’s daughter vs. son PTA difference was significant (P < 0.0001), regression close to 1.0
X, Y, Pseudo-autosomal SNP 35 SNP 35 SNP 0 SNP 487 SNP
Chromosomal EBV • Sum of marker effects for individual chromosomes • Individual chromosomal EBV sum to an animal’s genomic EBV • Chromosomal EBV are normally distributed in the absence of QTL • QTL can change the mean and SD of chromosomal EBV
Distribution of Chromosomal EBVsire calving ease on BTA 14 (no QTL)
Conclusions • A heavy-tailed model fits the data better than linear or finite loci models • Markers on BTA 18 had large effects on net merit, longevity, calving traits, and conformation • Marker effects may be useful for locating causative mutations for recessive alleles • Results validate quantitative genetic theory, notably the infinitessimal model
Acknowledgments • Genotyping and DNA extraction: • USDA Bovine Functional Genomics Lab, U. Missouri, U. Alberta, GeneSeek, Genetics & IVF Institute, Genetic Visions, and Illumina • Computing: • AIPL staff (Mel Tooker, Leigh Walton, Jay Megonigal) • Funding: • National Research Initiative grants • 2006-35205-16888, 2006-35205-16701 • Agriculture Research Service • Holstein and Jersey breed associations • Contributors to Cooperative Dairy DNA Repository (CDDR)