Identification of candidate genes for reproductive traits in Chinese Holstein cattle using single-step genome-wide association study

Abstract

In dairy farming, reproductive efficiency is vital to both profitability and sustainability. However, years of selective breeding for increased milk yield have adversely affected reproductive potential. This study aimed to pinpoint genomic regions and identify potential candidate genes associated with reproductive traits in Chinese Holstein cattle. In this study, a single-step genome-wide association study (ssGWAS) was conducted using 33,202 phenotypic records from 16,379 animals, 55,244 pedigree records, and genomic data from 1,698 cows. These data were integrated into the ssGWAS analysis, resulting in a total pedigree structure of 21,635 animals. A total of 12 significant markers were identified for calving interval (IC), days open (DO), number of services per conception (NS), and conception rate (CR). Among these significant SNPs, 3 SNPs were for IC, 2 SNPs were for DO, 3 SNPs were for NS, and 4 SNPs were for CR. Several promising candidate genes located near these SNPs have been identified, including SFXN4, B3GAT2, GRK5, PRDX3, and MTHFD1L, highlighting their potential involvement in fertility-related biological processes. Furthermore, functional enrichment analysis identified significant enrichment of pathways associated with cell adhesion and embryonic development, suggesting a potential mechanistic role for DSG family members (DSG1, DSG2, DSG3, and DSG4) in fertility regulation. Collectively, our findings enhance understanding of the complex genetic basis of reproductive traits in dairy cattle and may offer a valuable set of genomic targets for precision breeding of Chinese Holsteins. Integrating these markers into genomic selection programs may contribute to genetic improvements in reproductive efficiency and support the long-term sustainability of dairy production.