Key Genetic Regions Linked to Growth and Feed Efficiency in Mink

Jim Crocker
11th July, 2024

Key Genetic Regions Linked to Growth and Feed Efficiency in Mink

American Mink (Neogale vison)

Photo adapted from: John Krampl / CC BY (Source)

Key Findings

  • Researchers at Dalhousie University studied American mink to understand how homozygosity affects growth and feed efficiency
  • They identified 196 consensus ROH regions, with 13 significantly linked to growth and feed efficiency traits
  • Ten ROH regions, called ROH islands, were found in over 80% of the population, containing genes related to immune system functions
The recent advancements in genome assembly and the development of a 70K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array for American mink (Neogale vison) have opened new avenues for identifying genetic variants associated with complex traits in this species. This study, conducted by researchers at Dalhousie University[1], aims to evaluate the association between consensus runs of homozygosity (ROH) with growth and feed efficiency traits in American mink. ROH are continuous homozygous segments in the genome, which are common in both individuals and populations. These segments arise when identical haplotypes are inherited from each parent, leading to long tracts of homozygous genotypes. ROH can provide valuable insights into a population's genetic history, inbreeding levels, and the genetic architecture of complex traits[2][3]. In this study, a subsample of two mink populations (n = 2,986) were genotyped using the Affymetrix Mink 70K SNP array. The identified ROH segments were concatenated into consensus regions, and association studies were carried out using linear mixed models to assess their relationship with 11 growth and feed efficiency traits. A total of 298,313 ROH were identified across all individuals, with an average length of 4.16 Mb and coverage of 414.8 Mb. After merging these segments, 196 consensus ROH regions were detected and used for genome-wide ROH-based association analysis. Thirteen of these consensus ROH regions were significantly associated (P < 0.01) with growth and feed efficiency traits. Notably, several candidate genes within these significant regions, such as MEF2A, ADAMTS17, POU3F2, and TYRO3, are known for their roles in growth and body size development. In addition to these findings, the researchers identified ten consensus ROH regions, termed ROH islands, with frequencies exceeding 80% of the population. These islands contained 12 annotated genes, some of which are related to immune system processes, including DTX3L, PARP9, PARP14, CD86, and HCLS1. This highlights the potential impact of homozygosity on both growth and immune system functions in mink. The study's findings are particularly significant as they provide a deeper understanding of how homozygosity in the mink genome influences important traits such as growth and feed efficiency. This knowledge can be leveraged to develop sustainable breeding programs aimed at improving these traits in mink populations. By identifying specific ROH regions and their associated genes, breeders can make more informed decisions to enhance genetic diversity and overall fitness in their breeding stock. Earlier studies have demonstrated the utility of ROH in understanding genetic relatedness, inbreeding levels, and the genetic architecture of complex traits in various species, including livestock and humans[2][3][4][5]. For instance, research on Chinese pig breeds revealed that ROH can provide insights into inbreeding levels, selection pressure, and genetic events, which are crucial for developing effective breeding programs[4]. Similarly, the study of five Anhui indigenous pig breeds and Western commercial pig breeds showed that ROH analysis could help identify candidate genes associated with economically important traits, thereby aiding in the selection and conservation of these breeds[5]. The current study builds on these previous findings by applying ROH analysis to American mink, a species for which such research was previously lacking. By doing so, it not only expands our understanding of the genetic factors influencing growth and feed efficiency in mink but also demonstrates the broader applicability of ROH analysis in animal breeding and conservation efforts. In conclusion, this pioneering study by Dalhousie University underscores the importance of ROH in understanding the genetic underpinnings of complex traits in American mink. The identification of significant ROH regions and their associated genes provides valuable insights that can be used to enhance breeding programs, ultimately contributing to the sustainability and productivity of mink populations.

GeneticsBiochemAnimal Science

References

Main Study

1) Identification of consensus homozygous regions and their associations with growth and feed efficiency traits in American mink

Published 10th July, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12863-024-01252-8

Related Studies

2) Runs of homozygosity: current knowledge and applications in livestock.

https://doi.org/10.1111/age.12526

3) Runs of homozygosity: windows into population history and trait architecture.

https://doi.org/10.1038/nrg.2017.109

4) Genome-wide scan for runs of homozygosity in Asian wild boars and Anqing six-end-white pigs.

https://doi.org/10.1111/age.13250

5) Genome-wide detection of genetic structure and runs of homozygosity analysis in Anhui indigenous and Western commercial pig breeds using PorcineSNP80k data.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-022-08583-9


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