Prospecting genes associated with navel length, coat and scrotal circumference traits in Canchim cattle

Abstract

The aim of this work was to identify genomic regions and genes in association with the navel length, coat and scrotal circumference traits of Canchim breed of cattle, using genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Imputed data from single nucleotide polymorphism type markers were used, with accuracy greater than 95%. The analyses of genome-wide association were conducted by the Bayes B method, implemented in the GenSel program. Non-overlapping windows that explained at least 0.19% of the additive genetic variance were considered as significant, this value corresponds five times the expected for 1 Mb size windows. GWAS indicated 31 regions in association with navel length, one coat region, and four SC-related regions. In these regions, 4 quantitative loci (QTLs) related to navel length and 5 with SC were identified, as for the coat, the QTLs detected did not present previously described relation with this trait. Among the candidate genes in the associated regions, 7 genes were cited in previous studies, with biological functions related to navel length, one for coat and three for SC. The candidate genes TMEM176A and TMEM176AB, which are orthologous in humans, are in association with navel's trait and compose the Androgen Induced 1 cluster. The identification of genes and QTLs, with a function related to the studied traits, previously described in the literature, reinforces the evidence that the found regions are associated with navel length, coat and SC. This information may contribute to the understanding of the genetic architecture involved with of these traits, to guiding genetic validation studies, gene introgression and contribute to include information concerning molecular markers in genetic evaluation of animal improvement programs.