Decoding the DNA of Anatolian Water Buffalo by Genome-Wide Discoveries for Body Size and Ultrasound Carcass Traits

Abstract

BackgroundBody size and carcass traits are economically significant in livestock, contributing to productivity and meat quality improvement in breeding programs. Understanding the genetic basis of these traits can enhance selection strategies for livestock improvement. This research was carried out to identify genomic regions associated with body size and ultrasound carcass traits using the single-step genome-wide association study (ssGWAS) in Anatolian water buffaloes. Data consisted of wither height (WH), hip height (HH), body length (BL), chest width (CW), hip width (HW), chest circumference (CC), cannon-bone circumference (CBC), Musculus longissimus dorsi depth (MLDD), and subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) records of 313 yearling buffaloes were used in the association analyses. Genotyping was carried out by using the 90 K Axiom Buffalo Genotyping array. Association analyses using genomic relationship matrix (GRM) were performed by WOMBAT software. ResultsTwenty SNPs were found to be genome-wide significant according to the FDR thresholds controlled at p < 0.01. Genes previously associated with body size and fat-related traits, including TRPC7, CEP290, KITLG, TMTC3, NELL2, DBX2, GLI2, BRINP1, TLR4, NYAP2, SORCS3, PIK3C3, LEP, RSPO2, and GTPBP4, were identified in this study. ConclusionThe identification of novel and previously associated genes could enhance genetic improvement, contributing to the understanding of the genetic basis of body morphology in buffaloes.