Assessing the genetic background and genomic relatedness of red cattle populations originating from Northern Europe

Abstract

Background Local cattle breeds need special attention, as they are valuable reservoirs of genetic diversity. Appropriate breeding decisions and adequate genomic management of numerically smaller populations are required for their conservation. At this point, the analysis of dense genome-wide marker arrays provides encompassing insights into the genomic constitution of livestock populations. We have analyzed the genetic characterization of ten cattle breeds originating from Germany, The Netherlands and Denmark belonging to the group of red dairy breeds in Northern Europe. The results are intended to provide initial evidence on whether joint genomic breeding strategies of these populations will be successful. Results Traditional Danish Red and Groningen White-Headed were the most genetically differentiated breeds and their populations showed the highest levels of inbreeding. In contrast, close genetic relationships and shared ancestry were observed for the populations of German Red and White Dual-Purpose, Dutch Meuse-Rhine-Yssel, and Dutch Deep Red breeds, reflecting their common histories. A considerable amount of gene flow from Red Holstein to German Angler and to German Red and White Dual-Purpose was revealed, which is consistent with frequent crossbreeding to improve productivity of these local breeds. In Red Holstein, marked genomic signatures of selection were reported on chromosome 18, suggesting directed selection for important breeding goal traits. Furthermore, tests for signatures of selection between Red Holstein, Red and White Dual-Purpose, and Meuse-Rhine-Yssel uncovered signals for all investigated pairs of populations. The corresponding genomic regions, which were putatively under different selection pressures, harboured various genes which are associated with traits such as milk and beef production, mastitis and female fertility. Conclusions This study provides comprehensive knowledge on the genetic constitution and genomic connectedness of divergent red cattle populations in Northern Europe. The results will help to design and optimize breeding strategies. A joint genomic evaluation including some of the breeds studied here seems feasible.

Genomics Confirm an Alarming Status of the Genetic Diversity of Belgian Red and Belgian White Red Cattle

“…The remaining BR evolved later into the BRD population. Schmidmann et al, (2021) and Zinovieva et al, (2021) do not estimate N e ’s in their studied European red cattle populations, therefore comparison with N e estimates of our two red cattle populations is impossible [ 3 , 4 ].…”

“…Recently, we have seen a catch-up in studies of the genetic diversity of local cattle populations [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ], a trend that is facilitated by the availability of affordable genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker panels [ 5 , 6 ]. On top of that, as an increasing amount of international genotype datasets become available, the strength and scope of analyzing just a few local livestock breeds improves [ 4 , 7 , 8 ].…”

“…European red cattle populations are gaining more and more scientific attention. Both Schmidtmann et al, (2021) and Zinovieva et al, (2021) studied the genetic background of red cattle in Northern Europe (Germany, The Netherlands and Denmark) and Belarus, but quite a number of breeds are still out of the picture [ 3 , 4 ]. Red cattle are known to be well-adapted to their environment, which makes them suitable for less intensive production systems [ 13 ].…”

Identification of Reference Genes for Expression Studies in the Whole-Blood from Three Cattle Breeds under Two States of Livestock Weather Safety

“…Regarding the Gyr breed, the most stables genes were b2m , 18srRNA , actb , and ywhaz . The reference genes differences between breeds can be explained by the genetic diversity of the cattle breeds shaped by evolutionary forces such as genetic drift, migration, selection, and geographical separation [ 52 ]. Bos indicus of Indian origin and Bos taurus of European and African origin are the two main cattle subspecies [ 53 ].…”

Genome‐wide SNP analysis clearly distinguished the Belarusian Red cattle from other European cattle breeds

“…Genome-wide SNP genotyping allows for an in-depth investigation of genetic diversity, relationships, and genetic structure of animal populations, including that of local cattle breeds (Sermyagin et al 2018;Yurchenko et al 2018;Moscarelli et al 2020;Zinovieva et al 2020;Schmidtmann et al 2021). However, until now, Belarusian Red cattle have not been studied using this powerful molecular genetic tool.…”