The Experts below are selected from a list of 2298 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

Katharina May - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • genome wide associations and functional gene analyses for Endoparasite resistance in an endangered population of native german black pied cattle
    BMC Genomics, 2019
    Co-Authors: Katharina May, Kersti Ugema, Carste Schepe, Christina Strube, Gudru Ockma, Paula Korkuc, Sve Konig
    Abstract:

    Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), liver flukes (Fasciola hepatica) and bovine lungworms (Dictyocaulus viviparus) are the most important parasitic agents in pastured dairy cattle. Endoparasite infections are associated with reduced milk production and detrimental impacts on female fertility, contributing to economic losses in affected farms. In quantitative-genetic studies, the heritabilities for GIN and F. hepatica were moderate, encouraging studies on genomic scales. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) based on dense single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker panels allow exploration of the underlying genomic architecture of complex disease traits. The current GWAS combined the identification of potential candidate genes with pathway analyses to obtain deeper insights into bovine immune response and the mechanisms of resistance against Endoparasite infections. A 2-step approach was applied to infer genome-wide associations in an endangered dual-purpose cattle subpopulation [Deutsches Schwarzbuntes Niederungsrind (DSN)] with a limited number of phenotypic records. First, Endoparasite traits from a population of 1166 Black and White dairy cows [including Holstein Friesian (HF) and DSN] naturally infected with GIN, F. hepatica and D. viviparus were precorrected for fixed effects using linear mixed models. Afterwards, the precorrected phenotypes were the dependent traits (rFEC-GIN, rFEC-FH, and rFLC-DV) in GWAS based on 423,654 SNPs from 148 DSN cows. We identified 44 SNPs above the genome-wide significance threshold (pBonf = 4.47 × 10− 7), and 145 associations surpassed the chromosome-wide significance threshold (range: 7.47 × 10− 6 on BTA 1 to 2.18 × 10− 5 on BTA 28). The associated SNPs identified were annotated to 23 candidate genes. The DAVID analysis inferred four pathways as being related to immune response mechanisms or involved in host-parasite interactions. SNP effect correlations considering specific chromosome segments indicate that breeding for resistance to GIN or F. hepatica as measured by fecal egg counts is genetically associated with a higher risk for udder infections. We detected a large number of loci with small to moderate effects for Endoparasite resistance. The potential candidate genes regulating resistance identified were pathogen-specific. Genetic antagonistic associations between disease resistance and productivity were specific for specific chromosome segments. The 2-step approach was a valid methodological approach to infer genetic mechanisms in an endangered breed with a limited number of phenotypic records.

  • Additional file 1: of Genome-wide associations and functional gene analyses for Endoparasite resistance in an endangered population of native German Black Pied cattle
    2019
    Co-Authors: Katharina May, Carste Schepe, Christina Strube, Kersti ügema, Paula Korkuć, Gudru Ockma, Sve König
    Abstract:

    Table S1. Chromosome-wide significance thresholds for the Endoparasite traits rFEC-GIN, rFEC-FH and rFLC-DV including the number of SNP markers after quality control (QC) and the effective number of independent SNP markers based on linkage disequilibrium (LD). (DOCX 16 kb

  • Genome-wide associations and functional gene analyses for Endoparasite resistance in an endangered population of native German Black Pied cattle
    BMC, 2019
    Co-Authors: Katharina May, Kersti Ugema, Carste Schepe, Christina Strube, Gudru Ockma, Paula Korkuć, Sve Konig
    Abstract:

    Abstract Background Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), liver flukes (Fasciola hepatica) and bovine lungworms (Dictyocaulus viviparus) are the most important parasitic agents in pastured dairy cattle. Endoparasite infections are associated with reduced milk production and detrimental impacts on female fertility, contributing to economic losses in affected farms. In quantitative-genetic studies, the heritabilities for GIN and F. hepatica were moderate, encouraging studies on genomic scales. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) based on dense single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker panels allow exploration of the underlying genomic architecture of complex disease traits. The current GWAS combined the identification of potential candidate genes with pathway analyses to obtain deeper insights into bovine immune response and the mechanisms of resistance against Endoparasite infections. Results A 2-step approach was applied to infer genome-wide associations in an endangered dual-purpose cattle subpopulation [Deutsches Schwarzbuntes Niederungsrind (DSN)] with a limited number of phenotypic records. First, Endoparasite traits from a population of 1166 Black and White dairy cows [including Holstein Friesian (HF) and DSN] naturally infected with GIN, F. hepatica and D. viviparus were precorrected for fixed effects using linear mixed models. Afterwards, the precorrected phenotypes were the dependent traits (rFEC-GIN, rFEC-FH, and rFLC-DV) in GWAS based on 423,654 SNPs from 148 DSN cows. We identified 44 SNPs above the genome-wide significance threshold (p Bonf = 4.47 × 10− 7), and 145 associations surpassed the chromosome-wide significance threshold (range: 7.47 × 10− 6 on BTA 1 to 2.18 × 10− 5 on BTA 28). The associated SNPs identified were annotated to 23 candidate genes. The DAVID analysis inferred four pathways as being related to immune response mechanisms or involved in host-parasite interactions. SNP effect correlations considering specific chromosome segments indicate that breeding for resistance to GIN or F. hepatica as measured by fecal egg counts is genetically associated with a higher risk for udder infections. Conclusions We detected a large number of loci with small to moderate effects for Endoparasite resistance. The potential candidate genes regulating resistance identified were pathogen-specific. Genetic antagonistic associations between disease resistance and productivity were specific for specific chromosome segments. The 2-step approach was a valid methodological approach to infer genetic mechanisms in an endangered breed with a limited number of phenotypic records

  • genetic line comparisons and genetic parameters for Endoparasite infections and test day milk production traits
    Journal of Dairy Science, 2017
    Co-Authors: Katharina May, Kersti Ugema, Carste Schepe, Christina Strube, Sve Konig
    Abstract:

    Keeping dairy cows in grassland systems relies on detailed analyses of genetic resistance against Endoparasite infections, including between- and within-breed genetic evaluations. The objectives of this study were (1) to compare different Black and White dairy cattle selection lines for Endoparasite infections and (2) the estimation of genetic (co)variance components for Endoparasite and test-day milk production traits within the Black and White cattle population. A total of 2,006 fecal samples were taken during 2 farm visits in summer and autumn 2015 from 1,166 cows kept in 17 small- and medium-scale organic and conventional German grassland farms. Fecal egg counts were determined for gastrointestinal nematodes (FEC-GIN) and flukes (FEC-FLU), and fecal larvae counts for the bovine lungworm Dictyocaulus viviparus (FLC-DV). The lowest values for gastrointestinal nematode infections were identified for genetic lines adopted to pasture-based production systems, especially selection lines from New Zealand. Heritabilities were low for FEC-GIN (0.05-0.06 ± 0.04) and FLC-DV (0.05 ± 0.04), but moderate for FEC-FLU (0.33 ± 0.06). Almost identical heritabilities were estimated for different Endoparasite trait transformations (log-transformation, square root). The genetic correlation between FEC-GIN and FLC-DV was 1.00 ± 0.60, slightly negative between FEC-GIN and FEC-FLU (-0.10 ± 0.27), and close to zero between FLC-DV and FEC-FLU (0.03 ± 0.30). Random regression test-day models on a continuous time scale [days in milk (DIM)] were applied to estimate genetic relationships between Endoparasite and longitudinal test-day production traits. Genetic correlations were negative between FEC-GIN and milk yield (MY) until DIM 85, and between FEC-FLU and MY until DIM 215. Genetic correlations between FLC-DV and MY were negative throughout lactation, indicating improved disease resistance for high-productivity cows. Genetic relationships between FEC-GIN and FEC-FLU with milk protein content were negative for all DIM. Apart from the very early and very late lactation stage, genetic correlations between FEC-GIN and milk fat content were negative, whereas they were positive for FEC-FLU. Genetic correlations between FEC-GIN and somatic cell score were positive, indicating similar genetic mechanisms for susceptibility to udder and Endoparasite infections. The moderate heritabilities for FEC-FLU suggest inclusion of FEC-FLU into overall organic dairy cattle breeding goals to achieve long-term selection response for disease resistance.

Sve Konig - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • genome wide associations and functional gene analyses for Endoparasite resistance in an endangered population of native german black pied cattle
    BMC Genomics, 2019
    Co-Authors: Katharina May, Kersti Ugema, Carste Schepe, Christina Strube, Gudru Ockma, Paula Korkuc, Sve Konig
    Abstract:

    Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), liver flukes (Fasciola hepatica) and bovine lungworms (Dictyocaulus viviparus) are the most important parasitic agents in pastured dairy cattle. Endoparasite infections are associated with reduced milk production and detrimental impacts on female fertility, contributing to economic losses in affected farms. In quantitative-genetic studies, the heritabilities for GIN and F. hepatica were moderate, encouraging studies on genomic scales. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) based on dense single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker panels allow exploration of the underlying genomic architecture of complex disease traits. The current GWAS combined the identification of potential candidate genes with pathway analyses to obtain deeper insights into bovine immune response and the mechanisms of resistance against Endoparasite infections. A 2-step approach was applied to infer genome-wide associations in an endangered dual-purpose cattle subpopulation [Deutsches Schwarzbuntes Niederungsrind (DSN)] with a limited number of phenotypic records. First, Endoparasite traits from a population of 1166 Black and White dairy cows [including Holstein Friesian (HF) and DSN] naturally infected with GIN, F. hepatica and D. viviparus were precorrected for fixed effects using linear mixed models. Afterwards, the precorrected phenotypes were the dependent traits (rFEC-GIN, rFEC-FH, and rFLC-DV) in GWAS based on 423,654 SNPs from 148 DSN cows. We identified 44 SNPs above the genome-wide significance threshold (pBonf = 4.47 × 10− 7), and 145 associations surpassed the chromosome-wide significance threshold (range: 7.47 × 10− 6 on BTA 1 to 2.18 × 10− 5 on BTA 28). The associated SNPs identified were annotated to 23 candidate genes. The DAVID analysis inferred four pathways as being related to immune response mechanisms or involved in host-parasite interactions. SNP effect correlations considering specific chromosome segments indicate that breeding for resistance to GIN or F. hepatica as measured by fecal egg counts is genetically associated with a higher risk for udder infections. We detected a large number of loci with small to moderate effects for Endoparasite resistance. The potential candidate genes regulating resistance identified were pathogen-specific. Genetic antagonistic associations between disease resistance and productivity were specific for specific chromosome segments. The 2-step approach was a valid methodological approach to infer genetic mechanisms in an endangered breed with a limited number of phenotypic records.

  • Genome-wide associations and functional gene analyses for Endoparasite resistance in an endangered population of native German Black Pied cattle
    BMC, 2019
    Co-Authors: Katharina May, Kersti Ugema, Carste Schepe, Christina Strube, Gudru Ockma, Paula Korkuć, Sve Konig
    Abstract:

    Abstract Background Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), liver flukes (Fasciola hepatica) and bovine lungworms (Dictyocaulus viviparus) are the most important parasitic agents in pastured dairy cattle. Endoparasite infections are associated with reduced milk production and detrimental impacts on female fertility, contributing to economic losses in affected farms. In quantitative-genetic studies, the heritabilities for GIN and F. hepatica were moderate, encouraging studies on genomic scales. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) based on dense single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker panels allow exploration of the underlying genomic architecture of complex disease traits. The current GWAS combined the identification of potential candidate genes with pathway analyses to obtain deeper insights into bovine immune response and the mechanisms of resistance against Endoparasite infections. Results A 2-step approach was applied to infer genome-wide associations in an endangered dual-purpose cattle subpopulation [Deutsches Schwarzbuntes Niederungsrind (DSN)] with a limited number of phenotypic records. First, Endoparasite traits from a population of 1166 Black and White dairy cows [including Holstein Friesian (HF) and DSN] naturally infected with GIN, F. hepatica and D. viviparus were precorrected for fixed effects using linear mixed models. Afterwards, the precorrected phenotypes were the dependent traits (rFEC-GIN, rFEC-FH, and rFLC-DV) in GWAS based on 423,654 SNPs from 148 DSN cows. We identified 44 SNPs above the genome-wide significance threshold (p Bonf = 4.47 × 10− 7), and 145 associations surpassed the chromosome-wide significance threshold (range: 7.47 × 10− 6 on BTA 1 to 2.18 × 10− 5 on BTA 28). The associated SNPs identified were annotated to 23 candidate genes. The DAVID analysis inferred four pathways as being related to immune response mechanisms or involved in host-parasite interactions. SNP effect correlations considering specific chromosome segments indicate that breeding for resistance to GIN or F. hepatica as measured by fecal egg counts is genetically associated with a higher risk for udder infections. Conclusions We detected a large number of loci with small to moderate effects for Endoparasite resistance. The potential candidate genes regulating resistance identified were pathogen-specific. Genetic antagonistic associations between disease resistance and productivity were specific for specific chromosome segments. The 2-step approach was a valid methodological approach to infer genetic mechanisms in an endangered breed with a limited number of phenotypic records

  • genetic line comparisons and genetic parameters for Endoparasite infections and test day milk production traits
    Journal of Dairy Science, 2017
    Co-Authors: Katharina May, Kersti Ugema, Carste Schepe, Christina Strube, Sve Konig
    Abstract:

    Keeping dairy cows in grassland systems relies on detailed analyses of genetic resistance against Endoparasite infections, including between- and within-breed genetic evaluations. The objectives of this study were (1) to compare different Black and White dairy cattle selection lines for Endoparasite infections and (2) the estimation of genetic (co)variance components for Endoparasite and test-day milk production traits within the Black and White cattle population. A total of 2,006 fecal samples were taken during 2 farm visits in summer and autumn 2015 from 1,166 cows kept in 17 small- and medium-scale organic and conventional German grassland farms. Fecal egg counts were determined for gastrointestinal nematodes (FEC-GIN) and flukes (FEC-FLU), and fecal larvae counts for the bovine lungworm Dictyocaulus viviparus (FLC-DV). The lowest values for gastrointestinal nematode infections were identified for genetic lines adopted to pasture-based production systems, especially selection lines from New Zealand. Heritabilities were low for FEC-GIN (0.05-0.06 ± 0.04) and FLC-DV (0.05 ± 0.04), but moderate for FEC-FLU (0.33 ± 0.06). Almost identical heritabilities were estimated for different Endoparasite trait transformations (log-transformation, square root). The genetic correlation between FEC-GIN and FLC-DV was 1.00 ± 0.60, slightly negative between FEC-GIN and FEC-FLU (-0.10 ± 0.27), and close to zero between FLC-DV and FEC-FLU (0.03 ± 0.30). Random regression test-day models on a continuous time scale [days in milk (DIM)] were applied to estimate genetic relationships between Endoparasite and longitudinal test-day production traits. Genetic correlations were negative between FEC-GIN and milk yield (MY) until DIM 85, and between FEC-FLU and MY until DIM 215. Genetic correlations between FLC-DV and MY were negative throughout lactation, indicating improved disease resistance for high-productivity cows. Genetic relationships between FEC-GIN and FEC-FLU with milk protein content were negative for all DIM. Apart from the very early and very late lactation stage, genetic correlations between FEC-GIN and milk fat content were negative, whereas they were positive for FEC-FLU. Genetic correlations between FEC-GIN and somatic cell score were positive, indicating similar genetic mechanisms for susceptibility to udder and Endoparasite infections. The moderate heritabilities for FEC-FLU suggest inclusion of FEC-FLU into overall organic dairy cattle breeding goals to achieve long-term selection response for disease resistance.

Carste Schepe - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • genome wide associations and functional gene analyses for Endoparasite resistance in an endangered population of native german black pied cattle
    BMC Genomics, 2019
    Co-Authors: Katharina May, Kersti Ugema, Carste Schepe, Christina Strube, Gudru Ockma, Paula Korkuc, Sve Konig
    Abstract:

    Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), liver flukes (Fasciola hepatica) and bovine lungworms (Dictyocaulus viviparus) are the most important parasitic agents in pastured dairy cattle. Endoparasite infections are associated with reduced milk production and detrimental impacts on female fertility, contributing to economic losses in affected farms. In quantitative-genetic studies, the heritabilities for GIN and F. hepatica were moderate, encouraging studies on genomic scales. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) based on dense single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker panels allow exploration of the underlying genomic architecture of complex disease traits. The current GWAS combined the identification of potential candidate genes with pathway analyses to obtain deeper insights into bovine immune response and the mechanisms of resistance against Endoparasite infections. A 2-step approach was applied to infer genome-wide associations in an endangered dual-purpose cattle subpopulation [Deutsches Schwarzbuntes Niederungsrind (DSN)] with a limited number of phenotypic records. First, Endoparasite traits from a population of 1166 Black and White dairy cows [including Holstein Friesian (HF) and DSN] naturally infected with GIN, F. hepatica and D. viviparus were precorrected for fixed effects using linear mixed models. Afterwards, the precorrected phenotypes were the dependent traits (rFEC-GIN, rFEC-FH, and rFLC-DV) in GWAS based on 423,654 SNPs from 148 DSN cows. We identified 44 SNPs above the genome-wide significance threshold (pBonf = 4.47 × 10− 7), and 145 associations surpassed the chromosome-wide significance threshold (range: 7.47 × 10− 6 on BTA 1 to 2.18 × 10− 5 on BTA 28). The associated SNPs identified were annotated to 23 candidate genes. The DAVID analysis inferred four pathways as being related to immune response mechanisms or involved in host-parasite interactions. SNP effect correlations considering specific chromosome segments indicate that breeding for resistance to GIN or F. hepatica as measured by fecal egg counts is genetically associated with a higher risk for udder infections. We detected a large number of loci with small to moderate effects for Endoparasite resistance. The potential candidate genes regulating resistance identified were pathogen-specific. Genetic antagonistic associations between disease resistance and productivity were specific for specific chromosome segments. The 2-step approach was a valid methodological approach to infer genetic mechanisms in an endangered breed with a limited number of phenotypic records.

  • Additional file 1: of Genome-wide associations and functional gene analyses for Endoparasite resistance in an endangered population of native German Black Pied cattle
    2019
    Co-Authors: Katharina May, Carste Schepe, Christina Strube, Kersti ügema, Paula Korkuć, Gudru Ockma, Sve König
    Abstract:

    Table S1. Chromosome-wide significance thresholds for the Endoparasite traits rFEC-GIN, rFEC-FH and rFLC-DV including the number of SNP markers after quality control (QC) and the effective number of independent SNP markers based on linkage disequilibrium (LD). (DOCX 16 kb

  • Genome-wide associations and functional gene analyses for Endoparasite resistance in an endangered population of native German Black Pied cattle
    BMC, 2019
    Co-Authors: Katharina May, Kersti Ugema, Carste Schepe, Christina Strube, Gudru Ockma, Paula Korkuć, Sve Konig
    Abstract:

    Abstract Background Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), liver flukes (Fasciola hepatica) and bovine lungworms (Dictyocaulus viviparus) are the most important parasitic agents in pastured dairy cattle. Endoparasite infections are associated with reduced milk production and detrimental impacts on female fertility, contributing to economic losses in affected farms. In quantitative-genetic studies, the heritabilities for GIN and F. hepatica were moderate, encouraging studies on genomic scales. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) based on dense single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker panels allow exploration of the underlying genomic architecture of complex disease traits. The current GWAS combined the identification of potential candidate genes with pathway analyses to obtain deeper insights into bovine immune response and the mechanisms of resistance against Endoparasite infections. Results A 2-step approach was applied to infer genome-wide associations in an endangered dual-purpose cattle subpopulation [Deutsches Schwarzbuntes Niederungsrind (DSN)] with a limited number of phenotypic records. First, Endoparasite traits from a population of 1166 Black and White dairy cows [including Holstein Friesian (HF) and DSN] naturally infected with GIN, F. hepatica and D. viviparus were precorrected for fixed effects using linear mixed models. Afterwards, the precorrected phenotypes were the dependent traits (rFEC-GIN, rFEC-FH, and rFLC-DV) in GWAS based on 423,654 SNPs from 148 DSN cows. We identified 44 SNPs above the genome-wide significance threshold (p Bonf = 4.47 × 10− 7), and 145 associations surpassed the chromosome-wide significance threshold (range: 7.47 × 10− 6 on BTA 1 to 2.18 × 10− 5 on BTA 28). The associated SNPs identified were annotated to 23 candidate genes. The DAVID analysis inferred four pathways as being related to immune response mechanisms or involved in host-parasite interactions. SNP effect correlations considering specific chromosome segments indicate that breeding for resistance to GIN or F. hepatica as measured by fecal egg counts is genetically associated with a higher risk for udder infections. Conclusions We detected a large number of loci with small to moderate effects for Endoparasite resistance. The potential candidate genes regulating resistance identified were pathogen-specific. Genetic antagonistic associations between disease resistance and productivity were specific for specific chromosome segments. The 2-step approach was a valid methodological approach to infer genetic mechanisms in an endangered breed with a limited number of phenotypic records

  • genetic line comparisons and genetic parameters for Endoparasite infections and test day milk production traits
    Journal of Dairy Science, 2017
    Co-Authors: Katharina May, Kersti Ugema, Carste Schepe, Christina Strube, Sve Konig
    Abstract:

    Keeping dairy cows in grassland systems relies on detailed analyses of genetic resistance against Endoparasite infections, including between- and within-breed genetic evaluations. The objectives of this study were (1) to compare different Black and White dairy cattle selection lines for Endoparasite infections and (2) the estimation of genetic (co)variance components for Endoparasite and test-day milk production traits within the Black and White cattle population. A total of 2,006 fecal samples were taken during 2 farm visits in summer and autumn 2015 from 1,166 cows kept in 17 small- and medium-scale organic and conventional German grassland farms. Fecal egg counts were determined for gastrointestinal nematodes (FEC-GIN) and flukes (FEC-FLU), and fecal larvae counts for the bovine lungworm Dictyocaulus viviparus (FLC-DV). The lowest values for gastrointestinal nematode infections were identified for genetic lines adopted to pasture-based production systems, especially selection lines from New Zealand. Heritabilities were low for FEC-GIN (0.05-0.06 ± 0.04) and FLC-DV (0.05 ± 0.04), but moderate for FEC-FLU (0.33 ± 0.06). Almost identical heritabilities were estimated for different Endoparasite trait transformations (log-transformation, square root). The genetic correlation between FEC-GIN and FLC-DV was 1.00 ± 0.60, slightly negative between FEC-GIN and FEC-FLU (-0.10 ± 0.27), and close to zero between FLC-DV and FEC-FLU (0.03 ± 0.30). Random regression test-day models on a continuous time scale [days in milk (DIM)] were applied to estimate genetic relationships between Endoparasite and longitudinal test-day production traits. Genetic correlations were negative between FEC-GIN and milk yield (MY) until DIM 85, and between FEC-FLU and MY until DIM 215. Genetic correlations between FLC-DV and MY were negative throughout lactation, indicating improved disease resistance for high-productivity cows. Genetic relationships between FEC-GIN and FEC-FLU with milk protein content were negative for all DIM. Apart from the very early and very late lactation stage, genetic correlations between FEC-GIN and milk fat content were negative, whereas they were positive for FEC-FLU. Genetic correlations between FEC-GIN and somatic cell score were positive, indicating similar genetic mechanisms for susceptibility to udder and Endoparasite infections. The moderate heritabilities for FEC-FLU suggest inclusion of FEC-FLU into overall organic dairy cattle breeding goals to achieve long-term selection response for disease resistance.

Christina Strube - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • genome wide associations and functional gene analyses for Endoparasite resistance in an endangered population of native german black pied cattle
    BMC Genomics, 2019
    Co-Authors: Katharina May, Kersti Ugema, Carste Schepe, Christina Strube, Gudru Ockma, Paula Korkuc, Sve Konig
    Abstract:

    Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), liver flukes (Fasciola hepatica) and bovine lungworms (Dictyocaulus viviparus) are the most important parasitic agents in pastured dairy cattle. Endoparasite infections are associated with reduced milk production and detrimental impacts on female fertility, contributing to economic losses in affected farms. In quantitative-genetic studies, the heritabilities for GIN and F. hepatica were moderate, encouraging studies on genomic scales. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) based on dense single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker panels allow exploration of the underlying genomic architecture of complex disease traits. The current GWAS combined the identification of potential candidate genes with pathway analyses to obtain deeper insights into bovine immune response and the mechanisms of resistance against Endoparasite infections. A 2-step approach was applied to infer genome-wide associations in an endangered dual-purpose cattle subpopulation [Deutsches Schwarzbuntes Niederungsrind (DSN)] with a limited number of phenotypic records. First, Endoparasite traits from a population of 1166 Black and White dairy cows [including Holstein Friesian (HF) and DSN] naturally infected with GIN, F. hepatica and D. viviparus were precorrected for fixed effects using linear mixed models. Afterwards, the precorrected phenotypes were the dependent traits (rFEC-GIN, rFEC-FH, and rFLC-DV) in GWAS based on 423,654 SNPs from 148 DSN cows. We identified 44 SNPs above the genome-wide significance threshold (pBonf = 4.47 × 10− 7), and 145 associations surpassed the chromosome-wide significance threshold (range: 7.47 × 10− 6 on BTA 1 to 2.18 × 10− 5 on BTA 28). The associated SNPs identified were annotated to 23 candidate genes. The DAVID analysis inferred four pathways as being related to immune response mechanisms or involved in host-parasite interactions. SNP effect correlations considering specific chromosome segments indicate that breeding for resistance to GIN or F. hepatica as measured by fecal egg counts is genetically associated with a higher risk for udder infections. We detected a large number of loci with small to moderate effects for Endoparasite resistance. The potential candidate genes regulating resistance identified were pathogen-specific. Genetic antagonistic associations between disease resistance and productivity were specific for specific chromosome segments. The 2-step approach was a valid methodological approach to infer genetic mechanisms in an endangered breed with a limited number of phenotypic records.

  • Additional file 1: of Genome-wide associations and functional gene analyses for Endoparasite resistance in an endangered population of native German Black Pied cattle
    2019
    Co-Authors: Katharina May, Carste Schepe, Christina Strube, Kersti ügema, Paula Korkuć, Gudru Ockma, Sve König
    Abstract:

    Table S1. Chromosome-wide significance thresholds for the Endoparasite traits rFEC-GIN, rFEC-FH and rFLC-DV including the number of SNP markers after quality control (QC) and the effective number of independent SNP markers based on linkage disequilibrium (LD). (DOCX 16 kb

  • Genome-wide associations and functional gene analyses for Endoparasite resistance in an endangered population of native German Black Pied cattle
    BMC, 2019
    Co-Authors: Katharina May, Kersti Ugema, Carste Schepe, Christina Strube, Gudru Ockma, Paula Korkuć, Sve Konig
    Abstract:

    Abstract Background Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), liver flukes (Fasciola hepatica) and bovine lungworms (Dictyocaulus viviparus) are the most important parasitic agents in pastured dairy cattle. Endoparasite infections are associated with reduced milk production and detrimental impacts on female fertility, contributing to economic losses in affected farms. In quantitative-genetic studies, the heritabilities for GIN and F. hepatica were moderate, encouraging studies on genomic scales. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) based on dense single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker panels allow exploration of the underlying genomic architecture of complex disease traits. The current GWAS combined the identification of potential candidate genes with pathway analyses to obtain deeper insights into bovine immune response and the mechanisms of resistance against Endoparasite infections. Results A 2-step approach was applied to infer genome-wide associations in an endangered dual-purpose cattle subpopulation [Deutsches Schwarzbuntes Niederungsrind (DSN)] with a limited number of phenotypic records. First, Endoparasite traits from a population of 1166 Black and White dairy cows [including Holstein Friesian (HF) and DSN] naturally infected with GIN, F. hepatica and D. viviparus were precorrected for fixed effects using linear mixed models. Afterwards, the precorrected phenotypes were the dependent traits (rFEC-GIN, rFEC-FH, and rFLC-DV) in GWAS based on 423,654 SNPs from 148 DSN cows. We identified 44 SNPs above the genome-wide significance threshold (p Bonf = 4.47 × 10− 7), and 145 associations surpassed the chromosome-wide significance threshold (range: 7.47 × 10− 6 on BTA 1 to 2.18 × 10− 5 on BTA 28). The associated SNPs identified were annotated to 23 candidate genes. The DAVID analysis inferred four pathways as being related to immune response mechanisms or involved in host-parasite interactions. SNP effect correlations considering specific chromosome segments indicate that breeding for resistance to GIN or F. hepatica as measured by fecal egg counts is genetically associated with a higher risk for udder infections. Conclusions We detected a large number of loci with small to moderate effects for Endoparasite resistance. The potential candidate genes regulating resistance identified were pathogen-specific. Genetic antagonistic associations between disease resistance and productivity were specific for specific chromosome segments. The 2-step approach was a valid methodological approach to infer genetic mechanisms in an endangered breed with a limited number of phenotypic records

  • genetic line comparisons and genetic parameters for Endoparasite infections and test day milk production traits
    Journal of Dairy Science, 2017
    Co-Authors: Katharina May, Kersti Ugema, Carste Schepe, Christina Strube, Sve Konig
    Abstract:

    Keeping dairy cows in grassland systems relies on detailed analyses of genetic resistance against Endoparasite infections, including between- and within-breed genetic evaluations. The objectives of this study were (1) to compare different Black and White dairy cattle selection lines for Endoparasite infections and (2) the estimation of genetic (co)variance components for Endoparasite and test-day milk production traits within the Black and White cattle population. A total of 2,006 fecal samples were taken during 2 farm visits in summer and autumn 2015 from 1,166 cows kept in 17 small- and medium-scale organic and conventional German grassland farms. Fecal egg counts were determined for gastrointestinal nematodes (FEC-GIN) and flukes (FEC-FLU), and fecal larvae counts for the bovine lungworm Dictyocaulus viviparus (FLC-DV). The lowest values for gastrointestinal nematode infections were identified for genetic lines adopted to pasture-based production systems, especially selection lines from New Zealand. Heritabilities were low for FEC-GIN (0.05-0.06 ± 0.04) and FLC-DV (0.05 ± 0.04), but moderate for FEC-FLU (0.33 ± 0.06). Almost identical heritabilities were estimated for different Endoparasite trait transformations (log-transformation, square root). The genetic correlation between FEC-GIN and FLC-DV was 1.00 ± 0.60, slightly negative between FEC-GIN and FEC-FLU (-0.10 ± 0.27), and close to zero between FLC-DV and FEC-FLU (0.03 ± 0.30). Random regression test-day models on a continuous time scale [days in milk (DIM)] were applied to estimate genetic relationships between Endoparasite and longitudinal test-day production traits. Genetic correlations were negative between FEC-GIN and milk yield (MY) until DIM 85, and between FEC-FLU and MY until DIM 215. Genetic correlations between FLC-DV and MY were negative throughout lactation, indicating improved disease resistance for high-productivity cows. Genetic relationships between FEC-GIN and FEC-FLU with milk protein content were negative for all DIM. Apart from the very early and very late lactation stage, genetic correlations between FEC-GIN and milk fat content were negative, whereas they were positive for FEC-FLU. Genetic correlations between FEC-GIN and somatic cell score were positive, indicating similar genetic mechanisms for susceptibility to udder and Endoparasite infections. The moderate heritabilities for FEC-FLU suggest inclusion of FEC-FLU into overall organic dairy cattle breeding goals to achieve long-term selection response for disease resistance.

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  • genome wide associations and functional gene analyses for Endoparasite resistance in an endangered population of native german black pied cattle
    BMC Genomics, 2019
    Co-Authors: Katharina May, Kersti Ugema, Carste Schepe, Christina Strube, Gudru Ockma, Paula Korkuc, Sve Konig
    Abstract:

    Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), liver flukes (Fasciola hepatica) and bovine lungworms (Dictyocaulus viviparus) are the most important parasitic agents in pastured dairy cattle. Endoparasite infections are associated with reduced milk production and detrimental impacts on female fertility, contributing to economic losses in affected farms. In quantitative-genetic studies, the heritabilities for GIN and F. hepatica were moderate, encouraging studies on genomic scales. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) based on dense single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker panels allow exploration of the underlying genomic architecture of complex disease traits. The current GWAS combined the identification of potential candidate genes with pathway analyses to obtain deeper insights into bovine immune response and the mechanisms of resistance against Endoparasite infections. A 2-step approach was applied to infer genome-wide associations in an endangered dual-purpose cattle subpopulation [Deutsches Schwarzbuntes Niederungsrind (DSN)] with a limited number of phenotypic records. First, Endoparasite traits from a population of 1166 Black and White dairy cows [including Holstein Friesian (HF) and DSN] naturally infected with GIN, F. hepatica and D. viviparus were precorrected for fixed effects using linear mixed models. Afterwards, the precorrected phenotypes were the dependent traits (rFEC-GIN, rFEC-FH, and rFLC-DV) in GWAS based on 423,654 SNPs from 148 DSN cows. We identified 44 SNPs above the genome-wide significance threshold (pBonf = 4.47 × 10− 7), and 145 associations surpassed the chromosome-wide significance threshold (range: 7.47 × 10− 6 on BTA 1 to 2.18 × 10− 5 on BTA 28). The associated SNPs identified were annotated to 23 candidate genes. The DAVID analysis inferred four pathways as being related to immune response mechanisms or involved in host-parasite interactions. SNP effect correlations considering specific chromosome segments indicate that breeding for resistance to GIN or F. hepatica as measured by fecal egg counts is genetically associated with a higher risk for udder infections. We detected a large number of loci with small to moderate effects for Endoparasite resistance. The potential candidate genes regulating resistance identified were pathogen-specific. Genetic antagonistic associations between disease resistance and productivity were specific for specific chromosome segments. The 2-step approach was a valid methodological approach to infer genetic mechanisms in an endangered breed with a limited number of phenotypic records.

  • Genome-wide associations and functional gene analyses for Endoparasite resistance in an endangered population of native German Black Pied cattle
    BMC, 2019
    Co-Authors: Katharina May, Kersti Ugema, Carste Schepe, Christina Strube, Gudru Ockma, Paula Korkuć, Sve Konig
    Abstract:

    Abstract Background Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), liver flukes (Fasciola hepatica) and bovine lungworms (Dictyocaulus viviparus) are the most important parasitic agents in pastured dairy cattle. Endoparasite infections are associated with reduced milk production and detrimental impacts on female fertility, contributing to economic losses in affected farms. In quantitative-genetic studies, the heritabilities for GIN and F. hepatica were moderate, encouraging studies on genomic scales. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) based on dense single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker panels allow exploration of the underlying genomic architecture of complex disease traits. The current GWAS combined the identification of potential candidate genes with pathway analyses to obtain deeper insights into bovine immune response and the mechanisms of resistance against Endoparasite infections. Results A 2-step approach was applied to infer genome-wide associations in an endangered dual-purpose cattle subpopulation [Deutsches Schwarzbuntes Niederungsrind (DSN)] with a limited number of phenotypic records. First, Endoparasite traits from a population of 1166 Black and White dairy cows [including Holstein Friesian (HF) and DSN] naturally infected with GIN, F. hepatica and D. viviparus were precorrected for fixed effects using linear mixed models. Afterwards, the precorrected phenotypes were the dependent traits (rFEC-GIN, rFEC-FH, and rFLC-DV) in GWAS based on 423,654 SNPs from 148 DSN cows. We identified 44 SNPs above the genome-wide significance threshold (p Bonf = 4.47 × 10− 7), and 145 associations surpassed the chromosome-wide significance threshold (range: 7.47 × 10− 6 on BTA 1 to 2.18 × 10− 5 on BTA 28). The associated SNPs identified were annotated to 23 candidate genes. The DAVID analysis inferred four pathways as being related to immune response mechanisms or involved in host-parasite interactions. SNP effect correlations considering specific chromosome segments indicate that breeding for resistance to GIN or F. hepatica as measured by fecal egg counts is genetically associated with a higher risk for udder infections. Conclusions We detected a large number of loci with small to moderate effects for Endoparasite resistance. The potential candidate genes regulating resistance identified were pathogen-specific. Genetic antagonistic associations between disease resistance and productivity were specific for specific chromosome segments. The 2-step approach was a valid methodological approach to infer genetic mechanisms in an endangered breed with a limited number of phenotypic records

  • genetic line comparisons and genetic parameters for Endoparasite infections and test day milk production traits
    Journal of Dairy Science, 2017
    Co-Authors: Katharina May, Kersti Ugema, Carste Schepe, Christina Strube, Sve Konig
    Abstract:

    Keeping dairy cows in grassland systems relies on detailed analyses of genetic resistance against Endoparasite infections, including between- and within-breed genetic evaluations. The objectives of this study were (1) to compare different Black and White dairy cattle selection lines for Endoparasite infections and (2) the estimation of genetic (co)variance components for Endoparasite and test-day milk production traits within the Black and White cattle population. A total of 2,006 fecal samples were taken during 2 farm visits in summer and autumn 2015 from 1,166 cows kept in 17 small- and medium-scale organic and conventional German grassland farms. Fecal egg counts were determined for gastrointestinal nematodes (FEC-GIN) and flukes (FEC-FLU), and fecal larvae counts for the bovine lungworm Dictyocaulus viviparus (FLC-DV). The lowest values for gastrointestinal nematode infections were identified for genetic lines adopted to pasture-based production systems, especially selection lines from New Zealand. Heritabilities were low for FEC-GIN (0.05-0.06 ± 0.04) and FLC-DV (0.05 ± 0.04), but moderate for FEC-FLU (0.33 ± 0.06). Almost identical heritabilities were estimated for different Endoparasite trait transformations (log-transformation, square root). The genetic correlation between FEC-GIN and FLC-DV was 1.00 ± 0.60, slightly negative between FEC-GIN and FEC-FLU (-0.10 ± 0.27), and close to zero between FLC-DV and FEC-FLU (0.03 ± 0.30). Random regression test-day models on a continuous time scale [days in milk (DIM)] were applied to estimate genetic relationships between Endoparasite and longitudinal test-day production traits. Genetic correlations were negative between FEC-GIN and milk yield (MY) until DIM 85, and between FEC-FLU and MY until DIM 215. Genetic correlations between FLC-DV and MY were negative throughout lactation, indicating improved disease resistance for high-productivity cows. Genetic relationships between FEC-GIN and FEC-FLU with milk protein content were negative for all DIM. Apart from the very early and very late lactation stage, genetic correlations between FEC-GIN and milk fat content were negative, whereas they were positive for FEC-FLU. Genetic correlations between FEC-GIN and somatic cell score were positive, indicating similar genetic mechanisms for susceptibility to udder and Endoparasite infections. The moderate heritabilities for FEC-FLU suggest inclusion of FEC-FLU into overall organic dairy cattle breeding goals to achieve long-term selection response for disease resistance.