Position of Hungarian Merino among other Merinos, within-breed genetic similarity network and markers associated with daily weight gain

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to position the Hungarian Merino among other Merino-derived sheep breeds, explore the characteristics of our sampled animals' genetic similarity network within the breed, and highlight SNPs associated with daily weight-gain. MethodsHungarian Merino (n=138) was genotyped on Ovine SNP50 Bead Chip (Illumina, San Diego, CA) and positioned among 30 Merino and Merino-derived breeds (n=555). Population characteristics were obtained via PLINK, SVS, Admixture, and Treemix software, withinbreed network was analysed with python networkx 2.3 library. Daily weight gain of Hungarian Merino was standardised to 60 days and was collected from the database of the Association of Hungarian Sheep and Goat Breeders. For the identification of loci associated with daily weight gain, a multi-locus mixed-model was used. ResultsSupporting the breed's written history, the closest breeds to Hungarian Merino were Estremadura and Rambouillet (pairwise FST values are 0.035 and 0.036, respectively). Among Hungarian Merino, a highly centralised connectedness has been revealed by network analysis of pairwise values of identity-by-state, where the animal in the central node had a betweenness centrality value equal to 0.936. Probing of daily weight gain against the SNP data of Hungarian Merinos revealed five associated loci. Two of them, OAR8_17854216.1 and s42441.1 on chromosome 8 and 9 (-log10P>22, false discovery rate<5.5e-20) and one locus on chromosome 20, s28948.1 (-log10P=13.46, false discovery rate=4.1e-11), were close to the markers reported in other breeds concerning daily weight gain, six-month weight, and post-weaning gain. Conclusion A c c e p t e d A r t i c l e 3The position of Hungarian Merino among other Merino breeds has been determined. We have described the similarity network of the individuals to be applied in breeding practices and highlighted several markers useful for elevating the daily weight gain of Hungarian Merino.

Impact of protein source from legume forages on lipid regulation and growth on native ram lambs reared extensively in the south coast of West Java, Indonesia

“…This study reveals that legume protein can influence lipid metabolism in ram lambs cells. Previous researchers (Li et al 2022;Zsolnai et al 2022) in pigs have shown similar results to the current study; it has been reported that feeding high protein diets can reduce lipogenesis activity.…”

“…Protein interaction with the activity of this enzyme has been reported (Mushawwir et al 2020;Zsolnai et al 2022) that providing high protein in the ration can reduce the activity of fatty acid synthase (FFA). Decreased FFA enzyme expression reduces the rate of fat and adipose tissue anabolism.…”

A comprehensive analysis of the genetic diversity and environmental adaptability in worldwide Merino and Merino-derived sheep breeds

“…Peter et al [ 78 ] observed in their study a short genetic distance between the two aforementioned breeds. HUG and POL were developed by crossing RAM, FLE, Russian Merinos, Merino Precoce, and Australian Merinos with the local population [ 36 , 79 , 80 ]. The TreeMix analysis also hinted at a possible gene flow from POL to European Mutton Merino breeds (MEI, IDF, and BDC) (Fig.…”

Genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationship of Angus herds in Hungary and analyses of their production traits

“…So herd A has animals sharing their state of genetic background with most of their herd companions. By comparing the overall patterns ( Figure 6 ) of herd A (n = 97) and the pattern obtained by the same methods on Hungarian Merino sheep (n = 138, Figure 4A [ 34 ]) it may be noted the appearance of a wheel-like structure. The reason for similar genetic net patterns of the Angus cattle and the Merino sheep [ 34 ] is that both are maintained for commercial reasons, so parameters for production traits are primordial.…”

“…By comparing the overall patterns ( Figure 6 ) of herd A (n = 97) and the pattern obtained by the same methods on Hungarian Merino sheep (n = 138, Figure 4A [ 34 ]) it may be noted the appearance of a wheel-like structure. The reason for similar genetic net patterns of the Angus cattle and the Merino sheep [ 34 ] is that both are maintained for commercial reasons, so parameters for production traits are primordial. Such wheel-like structures might be common in industrial breeds and might not be characteristic for the breeds where maintenance of diversity is of cardinal importance.…”