Within- and between-Breed Selection Signatures in the Original and Improved Valachian Sheep

This study explored the genomic diversity and selection signatures in two Slovakian national breeds, the Original Valachian and the Improved Valachian sheep. As they are an important animal genetic resource within the country, but with decreasing population size, our aim is to identify potentially v...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Animals (Basel) 2022-05, Vol.12 (11), p.1346
Main Authors: Mészárosová, Mária, Mészáros, Gábor, Moravčíková, Nina, Pavlík, Ivan, Margetín, Milan, Kasarda, Radovan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation
Animals
Domestication
endangered populations
Gene mapping
Genes
Genomes
Genomic islands
Genomics
High altitude
Homozygosity
Inbreeding
Linkage disequilibrium
Meat
Ovis aries
Parasite resistance
Parasites
Pasture
Population
Population number
Quality control
Quantitative trait loci
ROH islands
selection sweep
Sheep
Sheep's milk
Software
Weaning
Wool
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Summary:This study explored the genomic diversity and selection signatures in two Slovakian national breeds, the Original Valachian and the Improved Valachian sheep. As they are an important animal genetic resource within the country, but with decreasing population size, our aim is to identify potentially valuable genomic regions. A total of 97 sheep (18 male and 79 female) from the Original Valachian, and 69 sheep (25 male and 44 female) from the Improved Valachian populations were genotyped using the GeneSeek GGP Ovine 50 K chip. The inbreeding levels were assessed with runs of homozygosity (ROH). The selection signatures within breeds were identified based on the top 1% of most homozygous regions within the breed, the so-called ROH islands. The selection signatures between breeds were assessed based on variance in linkage disequilibrium. Overall, we have identified selection signatures with quantitative trait loci (QTL) and genes pointing towards all three production purposes of the Valachian sheep, milk, meat, and wool, including their quality characteristics. Another group with apparent large importance was the various traits related to health and resistance to parasites, which is well in line with the sturdy nature of this breed.
ISSN:2076-2615
2076-2615
DOI:10.3390/ani12111346