Source: UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO AT MAYAGUEZ submitted to NRP
PHENOTYPING AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF BOVINE DOUBLE MUSCLING AND SLICK HAIR IN THE SENEPOL AND HOLSTEIN BREEDS OF CATTLE AT PUERTO RICO
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1000450
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Oct 22, 2013
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2017
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO AT MAYAGUEZ
P. O. BOX 9000
MAYAGUEZ,PR 00681
Performing Department
Animal Industry
Non Technical Summary
Cattle with a characteristic type of muscularity and coat will be studied genetically to determine or validate the causes of such physical appearance and to evaluate its usefulness in meat and dairy production systems in the tropics, especially in the island of Puerto Rico. Everything in an effort to identify new means for the improvement of reproductive efficiency in bovines, and ultimately find new tools that could be beneficial if incorporated in animal production systems.
Animal Health Component
40%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
60%
Applied
40%
Developmental
0%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
3013310102025%
3033320104025%
3043410108025%
3063499101025%
Knowledge Area
303 - Genetic Improvement of Animals; 306 - Environmental Stress in Animals; 304 - Animal Genome; 301 - Reproductive Performance of Animals;

Subject Of Investigation
3499 - Dairy cattle, general/other; 3320 - Meat, beef cattle; 3310 - Beef cattle, live animal; 3410 - Dairy cattle, live animal;

Field Of Science
1040 - Molecular biology; 1010 - Nutrition and metabolism; 1080 - Genetics; 1020 - Physiology;
Goals / Objectives
1. To identify/genotyped for novel and published polymorphisms at the bovine MSTN, its receptor (ACTIIB), and RAI14 genes and to evaluate their usefulness as molecular markers for precise stratification between double muscle and slick hair cattle. 2. To determine segregation pattern of polymorphisms at selected candidate genes (PGR, 3β-HSD, UTMP, PTGFR, FGF-2, SCARB1, FSH-R, STAT1, STAT5a, MSTN, ACTIIB, and RAI14, HSF1 and HSP-70 and to determine/validate their association with fertility, stayability, longevity and production traits in cattle grown in the tropics. 3. To perform a genotypic ranking/phenotypic study by utilizing the commercially available Igenity® profile, data for growth (beef cattle), milk production traits (Dairy Herd Improvement Program, DHI), and reproduction within this population.
Project Methods
A total of 112 females [n=52 Holstein (26 SH vs 26 NH), n=60 Senepol (15 DM-SH, 15 DMNM, 15 NM-SH, 15 NM-NH) will be selected for utilization in this investigation. To make sure the number of animals Senepol within each category is reached, collaborative Senepol breeders from the Island will be contacted or additional efforts could be coordinated through SCBA. Blood from these animals will be collected by coccygeal venipuncture for DNA isolation and further analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms of genes of interest and determination of Igenity® genetic profile. For all animals polymerase chain reactions will be performed to amplify the PGR, 3β-HSD, UTMP, PTGFR, FGF-2, SCARB1, FSH-R, STAT1, STAT5a, MSTN, ACTIIB, and RAI14, HSF1 and HSP-70 gene fragments of interest. First, a pool of samples and sequencing strategy will be utilized to identify potential polymorphic sites at the PCR amplified regions. Primers pairs will be designed using mRNA and genomic sequence available at GenBank (www.ncbi.nih.gov) and focusing in the amplification of regions encoding all functional domains for those genes where no SNP had been reported, taking into account the intron-exon boundaries. Also, primers will be selected from published articles for validation of previously identified SNPs associated with the phenotypes of interest. Purified products will be sent to the core facility of the Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez for sequencing. Once potential and published polymorphic sites are identified, individual animals will be genotyped to calculate the correspondent genotypic and allelic frequencies and to perform an association analysis with fertility and production traits.

Progress 10/22/13 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience:The project target audience were the members of the International Society of Animal Genetics (ISAG), American Society of Animal Science (ASAS), American Dairy Science Association (ADSA), Latin-American Association of Animal Production (ALPA) and Puerto Rican Society of Agricultural Sciences (SOPCA) and the general audience who attended the respective professional meetings in Utah (ISAG, ASAS/ADSA, Brazil (ALPA), Chile (ALPA) and Puerto Rico (SOPCA), respectively. Changes/Problems:No data was generated for FGF-2 and SCARB1 due to either PCR or nucleotide sequencing problems. RAI14 was discarded as a relevant candidate gene for the slick phenotype. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A total of five graduate students and one undergraduate worked in different aspects of the project. One of the graduate students was the selected candidate for an agricultural extension agent position at the Cooperative Extension Service of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez. Two are currently pursuing studies at the doctoral level at Colorado State (Ph.D. USDA National Needs Fellowship recipient) and at Mississippi State (DVM), respectively. Another former graduate student who completed his master's through this project is currently a faculty member at ISA University (Dominican Republic), College of Veterinary Medicine. A fifth is expected to complete his master degree in 2017 and was already interviewed at The University of Florida for a Ph.D. position in molecular genetics and genomics at the Department of Animal Science. The undergraduate student was a summer 2017 intern at The Ohio State University (School of Environmental and Natural Resources) and is currently applying to a Ph.D. program in biochemistry at that same institution. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Project results were presented at national (SOPCA) and international (ALPA, ISAG, ASAS/ADSA) professional meetings. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The Double Muscle (DM) phenotype was identified in purebred Senepol cattle (n=359), predominately of slick hair (SH). The gene variants responsible for both phenotypes were [DM: 11 base pair deletion-exon 3 in Myostatin (MSTN) = allele NT821; SH: deletion of cytosine-exon 10 in NT527 for Prolactin Receptor (PRLR). No interactions were observed between ACVRIIB-Promoter, MSTN-Promoter, MSTN and PRLR genotypes, however polymorphisms at ACVRIIB-Promoter and MSTN-Promoter were associated with the molecular breeding value (MBV) for residual feed intake (ACVRIIB-P) and phenotypically with the cow's weigh at calving (both ACVRIIB-P and MSTN-Promoter). Surprisingly, differences were observed between heterozygous and homozygous SH Senepol in the MBV for marbling, percent choice and ribeye area. This part of the project suggested that genetic selection should be in favor of normal muscled and homozygous SH Senepol cattle. In dairy, our findings showed that PRLR, STAT5a, HSF1, HSP70 and STAT1 were associated with MBV for productive life and somatic cell score either as individual genotypes, genotypic combinations within a single gene or resulting from multiple genes interactions. A novel association of PGR with milk production (with STAT1 playing a role) and somatic cell counts was observed. For this latter, the percentage of favorable PGR/STAT1 genotypic combination for milk production seemed to be greater in SH (70%) than normal coat cattle (30%). Conversely, the percentage of the reproductively favorable genotype (GG for PGR) was greater in non-SH (78.95%) than SH (21.05%). Studying gene interaction with production traits could provide a better understanding of molecular markers and their importance in dairy herd improvement particularly in SH and non-SH cows. At the phenotypic level, there is confirming evidence that SH Holstein cows may outperform non-SH in calving interval, an important criterion of reproductive efficiency. Also demonstrated was an advantage for SH phenotype in milk production, supported by a higher proportion of individuals with high molecular breeding values for milk production in SH (65%) than in non-SH (35%), without negative effects on reproductive performance. This marvel may be due to mutations associated with slick coated cattle's adaptation to high temperatures.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: ALPA 2016 (Brazil). Asociaci�n de polimorfismos de nucle�tido simple en el gen de STAT5A con valores de cr�a moleculares en vacas Holstein de pelo corto y pelo normal .Joan Marie Pati�o Chaparro, Tad Sonstegard, Esbal Jim�nez Cab�n y Melvin Pag�n Morales, Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Universidad de Puerto Rico  Recinto de Mayag�ez,Acceligen Inc.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: ALPA 2016 (Brazil). Lactoglobulina est� asociada a valores de cr�a moleculares para producci�n de leche y taza de pre�ez en vacas Holstein de pelo corto y de pelo normal. Joan Marie Pati�o Chaparro, Tad Sonstegard, Esbal Jim�nez Cab�n y Melvin Pag�n Morales, Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Universidad de Puerto Rico  Recinto de Mayag�ez, Acceligen Inc.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: SOPCA 2016 (Corozal, Puerto Rico). CARACTER�STICAS SEMINALES DEL GANADO SENEPOL DOBLE M�SCULO Y DE MUSCULATURA NORMAL DURANTE LA �POCA FRESCA Y CALIENTE EN EL TR�PICO. Iv�n Suero, Edith Sanoguet, H�ctor S�nchez, Jaime Curbelo, Aixa Rivera, Am�rico Casas, Tad Sonstegard y Melvin Pag�n, Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Universidad de Puerto Rico-Mayag�ez Campus, Recombinetics Inc.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: SOPCA 2016 (Corozal, Puerto Rico). Segregaci�n de un polimorfismo de inserci�n y eliminaci�n de nucle�tidos en el Promotor del Receptor de Activina II B en ganado Senepol. C.L. Gonz�lez, M. Pag�n, A. Rivera y A. Casas, Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Agr�colas, Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto Universitario de Mayag�ez.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: ISAG 2016 (Utah-USA). Genotyping of ApaLI RFLP at Heat Shock Transcription Factor 1 in Creole and Holstein Cattle Differing in Coat Type and Associations With Molecular Breeding Value and DHI Traits. Yomar R Velez, Joan Patino, Edgar Soto-Moreno, Beatriz Velez, Tad S. Sonstegard and Melvin Pag�n-Morales.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: ASAS/ADSA JAM 2016 (Utah-USA). BODY TEMPERATURE AND SEMINAL CHARACTERISTICS IN DOUBLE AND NORMALLY MUSCLED SENEPOL BULLS IN THE TROPICS. Iv�n Suero, Edith Sanoguet, H�ctor S�nchez, Jaime Curbelo, Aixa Rivera, Am�rico Casas, Tad Sonstegard and M. Pag�n.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: ASAS/ADSA JAM 2016 (Utah-USA). Molecular breeding values distribution in slick male and female Senepol cattle differing in musculature. Carolina L. Gonz�lez, Aixa Rivera, Am�rico Casas, Tad Sonstegard and Melvin Pag�n.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Casein,Casein and Lactoglobulin genotypic variants distribution between slick and normal hair Holstein cattle. Joan M. Pati�o-Chaparro, Tad Sonstegard, Guillermo Ortiz-Col�n, Esbal Jim�nez & Melvin Pag�n. ALPA 2015 (Chile).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Reproductive characterization of heterozygous double muscle Senepol cows. Iv�n Suero, Carolina Gonz�lez, Am�rico Casas, Aixa Rivera, H�ctor L. S�nchez & Melvin Pag�n. ALPA 2015 (Chile).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: SOPCA 2016 (Corozal, Puerto Rico). EFECTO DE UN APALI-RFLP EN EL FACTOR DE CHOQUE T�RMICO (HSF1) SOBRE VALORES DE CR�A MOLECULARES Y RASGOS PRODUCTIVOS Y REPRODUCTIVOS DE GANADO HOLSTEIN. Yomar V�lez Robles, Joan M. Pati�o Chaparro, Melvin Pag�n Morales, Departamento de Ciencia Animal. Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto Universitario de Mayag�ez.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: SOPCA 2016 (Corozal, Puerto Rico). Comparaci�n de frecuencias genot�picas y al�licas de ganado Criollo, Holstein Pelo Corto y Pelo Normal en Puerto Rico mediante AdeI-RFLP en PGR y PagI-RFLP en STAT1. Edgar J. Soto Moreno, Joan M. Pati�o Chaparro, Yomar V�lez Robles, Beatriz V�lez Irizarry y Melvin Pag�n Morales; Departamento de Ciencia Animal. Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto Universitario de Mayag�ez.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: ISAG 2016 (Utah-USA). Interaction of STAT1 and PGR specific genotypes affects milk production in slick and normal coat Holsteins Interaction of STAT1 and PGR specific genotypes affects milk production in slick and normal coat Holsteins. Beatriz I. V�lez, Joan M. Pati�o, Tad S. Sonstegard, Esbal Jim�nez & Melvin Pag�n
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Effect of myostatin genotype and sex in the molecular characterization of economically important traits in Senepol cattle. Carolina Gonz�lez, Am�rico Casas, Aixa Rivera & Melvin Pag�n. ALPA 2015 (Chile).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: A novel association between progesterone receptor gene variants and milk production and somatic cell counts in slick and normal coat Holsteins. Beatriz I. V�lez, Joan M. Pati�o, Tad Sonstegard, Guillermo Ortiz-Col�n, Esbal Jim�nez, Melvin Pag�n. ALPA 2015 (Chile).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Vaginal temperature comparison between heterozygous double muscle and normal musculature Senepol slick coated cows. Iv�n Suero P�rez, H. S�nchez, A. Santiago, A. Casas & M. Pag�n. SOPCA 2015 (Coamo, Puerto Rico).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Characterization of body weight and pre-weaning average daily gain of Senepol segregating polymorphisms at MSTN and PRLR. C.L. Gonz�lez, M. Pag�n, A. Casas. SOPCA 2015 (Coamo, Puerto Rico).


Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16

Outputs
Target Audience:During the reported period our target audience were the members of the International Society of Animal Genetics (ISAG), American Society of Animal Science (ASAS), American Dairy Science Association (ADSA), Latin-American Association of Animal Production (ALPA) and Puerto Rican Society of Agricultural Sciences (SOPCA) and the general audience who attended the respective professional meetings in Utah (ISAG, ASAS/ADSA, Brazil (ALPA) and Corozal, Puerto Rico (SOPCA), respectively. Changes/Problems:FGF-2 chosen polymorphic regions could not be amplified by PCR and RAI14 was discarded as a Slick phenotype responsible gene. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Currently, there are a total of five graduate students and one undergraduate working in different aspects of the project. One of the graduate students was recently interviewed for an extension agent position at Michigan State University and other was the selected candidate for a research specialist position at The University of the Virgin Islands. This latter applied to Ph.D. programs at Texas A & M, Auburn, Colorado State and The University of Florida and are been considered for a few fellowships. A third graduate student was interviewed in February at UPENN Vet. Med. The undergraduate student recently applied to an ABS Global Dairy Genetics Innovation Intern program. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Project results were presented at national (SOPCA) and international (ALPA, ISAG, ASAS/ADSA) professional meetings. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Project results will be summarizedonce all candidate gene polymorphic regions are evaluated in selected populations and associations are validated molecularly and phenotypically for segregating polymorphisms.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The polymorphisms responsible for double muscling [MSTN: exon 3 11bp indel (NT821)] and slick coat phenotype (PRLR: exon 10 cytosine indel) in Senepol cattle were described. However, the genomic implications of segregating animals according to PRLR and MSTN genotypes have not been elucidated for ERTs, especially in tropically adapted beef cattle. A higher proportion of Senepol cattle with slick coat and normal musculature were observed and intermediate MBV for multiple ERTs were predominant, with the exception of backfat thickness. Therefore, genomic selection in slick Senepols segregating MSTN alleles are needed to improve their ERTs-MBV. In addition, our results suggest that greater body temperatures could affect slick-double muscled Senepol bulls in terms of sperm concentration, maturation rate and motility, irrespective of the testicular size. In Holstein, a significant association of a HSF1-RFLP with a molecular breeding value (Igenity, Neogen Corp.) for milk (TT, CT>CC; P<.05) was not phenotypically confirmed with milk adjusted at 305d (DHI; P>.05). Conversely, an interaction between HSF1 and coat type was observed in calving interval (P= 0.0358). In that regard, Slick-TT presented a calving interval 52 days lower than Wild Type-CT (P=0.0240). Also, Wild Type-CC showed 72.5 days lower calving intervals when compare with Slick-CT (P=0.0475). These results suggest that the reproductive usefulness of this HSF1 polymorphism is dependent of the type of coat in Holstein cattle and that both natural (Creole) and artificial selection (Slick/Wild Type Holstein) favors the T allele. PGR and STAT1 showed a significant interaction (P=.0011) for 305 d adjusted milk. Favorable genotype combinations for that trait (CC for PGR; CT for STAT1) in both types of cattle (Slick and Wild Type coat) were observed and phenotypically validated. Meanwhile, slick resulted in higher milk yields than normal coat even when the same genotype combination was observed (GC-PGR/CT-STAT1). The percentage of favorable genotypic combination for milk production (CC for PGR, CT for STAT1) seemed to be greater in slick (70%) than normal coat cattle (30%; P<.0001)). Conversely, the percentage of the reproductively favorable genotype (GG for PGR) was greater in normal coat cattle (78.95%) than slick (21.05%; P<.0001). This marvel may be due to mutations associated with slick coated cattle's adaptation to high temperatures. Studying gene interaction with production traits could provide a better understanding of molecular markers and their importance in dairy herd improvement particularly in slick and non-slick cows. Moreover, we are evaluating a new potential nonsense mutation at PRLR located downstream of the reported causative Indel that may be responsible of differences and so called inconsistencies observed in Slick coat phenotype.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Beatriz I. V�lez, Joan M. Pati�o, Tad S. Sonstegard, Esbal Jim�nez1 & Melvin Pag�n*. Interaction of STAT1 and PGR specific genotypes affects milk production in slick and normal coat Holsteins Interaction of STAT1 and PGR specific genotypes affects milk production in slick and normal coat Holsteins. ISAG 2016 (Utah-USA).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Yomar R Velez, Joan Patino, Edgar Soto-Moreno, Beatriz Velez, Tad S. Sonstegard and Melvin Pag�n-Morales. Genotyping of ApaLI RFLP at Heat Shock Transcription Factor 1 in Creole and Holstein Cattle Differing in Coat Type and Associations With Molecular Breeding Value and DHI Traits. ISAG 2016 (Utah-USA).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Iv�n Suero, Edith Sanoguet, H�ctor S�nchez, Jaime Curbelo, Aixa Rivera, Am�rico Casa1, Tad Sonstegard and M. Pag�n. BODY TEMPERATURE AND SEMINAL CHARACTERISTICS IN DOUBLE AND NORMALLY MUSCLED SENEPOL BULLS IN THE TROPICS. ASAS/ADSA JAM 2016 (Utah-USA).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Carolina L. Gonz�lez, Aixa Rivera, Am�rico Casas, Tad Sonstegard and Melvin Pag�n. Molecular breeding values distribution in slick male and female Senepol cattle differing in musculature. ASAS/ADSA JAM 2016 (Utah-USA).


Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15

Outputs
Target Audience:Our principal targets are the Puerto Rican beef and dairy farmers, the "Fondo de Fomento de la Industria de Carne de Res", the Regulation Office of the Dairy Industry of Puerto Rico (ORIL) and The Department of Agriculture of Puerto Rico. Also, the information generated in this project has been presented to the Senepol Cattle Breeders Association. In addition, preliminary results were presented locally at the annual meeting of The Puerto Rican Society of Agricultural Sciences where faculty members and researchers, extension specialists and agents, and graduate and undergraduate students attend. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?One graduate student performed a summer internship at Recombinetics Inc. Currently; there are a total of five graduate students and one undergrad working in different aspects of the project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Project results had been and will be presented at national (SOPCA 2015) and international (ISAG 2016-Utah) professional meetings. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals??With the assistance of Dr. Steven G. Schroeder (computational biologist) at the USDA-ARS-BARC-AGIL, the potential polymorphic regions for all project candidate genes were identified using the SNPs from the re-processed BovineHD. Modifiers (without reference sequence #), moderate and high impact polymorphisms will be evaluated for validation of segregation in our beef, dairy and "criollo" experimental cattle population.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Through the collaboration with the USDA-BFGL and Recombinetics Inc. the causative slick mutation in Senepol and Holsteins was confirmed to be the same and that locally "criollo" cattle also posses the same genetic variant. Also, a genotype/phenotype association study revealed that slick dairy animals seems to be in advantage in terms of milk production and that no differences in vaginal temperature or in reproductive traits (molecular and phenotypic) exists between heterozygous and homozygous slick Senepol cows irrespectively of its musculature. In this latter, significant differences were observed in the molecular breeding values for residual feed intake, backfat thickness and tenderness according to the level of musculature, and a MSTN x Sex interaction was observed for the marbling molecular breeding value.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: B-Casein, k-Casein and B-Lactoglobulin genotypic variants distribution between slick and normal hair Holstein cattle. Joan M. Patino-Chaparro, Tad Sonstegard, Guillermo Ortiz-Colon, Esbal Jimenez and Melvin Pagan. ALPA 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: A novel association between progesterone receptor gene variants and milk production and somatic cell counts in slick and normal coat Holsteins. Beatriz I. Velez, Joan M. Patino, Tad Sonstegard, Guillermo Ortiz-Colon, Esbal Jimenez and Melvin Pagan. ALPA 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Vaginal temperature comparison between heterozygous double muscle and normal musculature Senepol slick coated cows. Ivan Suero-Perez, H. Sanchez, A. Santiago, A. Casas and M. Pagan. SOPCA 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Characterization of body weight and pre-weaning average daily gain of Senepol segregating polymorphisms at MSTN and PRLR. C.L. Gonzalez, M. Pagan and A. Casas. SOPCA 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Reproductive characterization of heterozygous double muscle Senepol cows. Ivan Suero, Carolina Gonzalez, Americo Casas, Aixa Rivera, Hector L. Sanchez and Melvin Pagan. ALPA 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Effect of myostatin genotype and sex in the molecular characterization of economically important traits in Senepol cattle. Carolina Gonzalez, Americo Casas, Aixa Rivera and Melvin Pagan. ALPA 2015.


Progress 10/22/13 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: Our principal targets are the Puerto Rican beef and dairy farmers, the "Fondo de Fomento de la Industria de Carne de Res", the Regulation Office of the Dairy Industry of Puerto Rico (ORIL) and The Department of Agriculture of Puerto Rico. Also, the information generated in this project had been presented to the Senepol Cattle Breeders Association. This latter posses a special interest not only in such breed but also they are involved in the study of the slick hair phenotype. In addition, preliminary results were presented locally at the annual meeting of The Puerto Rican Society of Agricultural Sciences, and internationally at both The International Society of Animal Genetics (Xi' An, China) and The Plant and Animal Genome meetings (San Diego, California). Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? We have an agreement of collaboration with Dr. Tad Sonstergard to send one graduate student to the USDA-BFGL during the summer 2015 to be trained in the use of genomic and RNA expression platforms for animal selection as it relates with the Slick Hair phenotype in Senepol and Holstein Cattle. Currently, there are a total of 5 graduate students working in different aspects of the project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Project results had been and will be presented at national (SOPCA) and international (ISAG, PAG, SSR) professional meetings. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? To complete the objectives pertaining to dairy cattle, an additional collaboration was established with Zoetis to perform LD-Clarifide in our animal population. That way genomic PTA for production, reproduction, type and health traits will be calculated. For the beef cattle component, a similar approach will be followed once all Slick/Wild Type and Double Muscle (homozygous-heterozygous)/Wild Type animals are genetically verified.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Through the collaboration with the USDA-BFGL the causative Slick mutation in Senepol and Holsteins was identified. Also, a genotype/phenotype association study revealed that slick dairy animals seem to be in advantage in terms of milk production and calving intervals.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Sonstegard ,T., et al. 2014. The identification of the mutation for SLICK hair coat in Senepol cattle - an adaptive variant with effects on thermo-tolerance and milk production. 34th Conference for the International Society of Animal Genetics (ISAG 2014). XIAN, China, July 28-August 1.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: GONZALEZ, C.L., Z. ZAYAS, M. PAGAN, L. A�ESES, A. CASAS, A. RIVERA. 2013. Phenotypic and molecular characterization of doubl� muscle Senepol cattle. SOPCA 2013. November 15, Hormigueros, PR.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: V�lez-Irizarry, B.,I., J., M. Pati�o-Chaparro, M. Pagan-Morales and E. Jim�nez-Cab�n. Comparison of molecular breeding values for economically important traits in Senepol and Charbray cows characterized by its stayability. SOPCA 2013. November 15, Hormigueros, PR.