2024/12/02 by Victoria C. Kelson, Victoria Kelson, Jennifer N. Kiser +9
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
paper · doi:10.1016/j.ygeno.2024.110972
openalex publication_date 2024/12/02 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
This study aimed to identify loci ( p < 1 × 10 −5 ) and gene sets (normalized enrichment score (NES) ≥ 3.0) associated with the number of times a heifer is bred to attain a successful pregnancy (TBRD) for Holstein heifers bred by artificial insemination (AI, n = 2754) or that were embryo transfer (ET, n = 1566) recipients. Eight loci were associated (p < 1 × 10 −5 ) with TBRD in AI bred heifers and four loci were associated with TBRD in ET recipients. The gene set enrichment analysis with SNP data identified one gene set enriched (NES ≥ 3.0) with TBRD in AI bred heifers and two gene sets that were enriched with TBRD in ET recipients. The estimated pseudo-heritability for times bred to AI was 0.063 and 0.043 for ET. The identification of loci associated with embryonic loss aids in the selection of Holstein heifers with higher reproductive efficiencies that are AI bred or that are ET recipients. • Eight loci were associated with times bred (TBRD) in AI bred Holstein heifers. • Four loci were associated with TBRD in ET recipient Holstein heifers. • One gene set was enriched for TBRD in AI bred Holstein heifers. • Two gene sets were enriched for TBRD in ET recipient Holstein heifers. • Pseudo-heritability was 0.063 for TBRD in AI bred and 0.043 for ET Holstein heifers.