Abstract
Objective: Luxi Black Head sheep (LBH) is the first crossbreed specialized for meat production and was developed by crossbreeding Black Head Dorper sheep (DP) and Small Tailed Han sheep (STH) in the farming areas of northern China. Research on the genomic variations and selection signatures of LBH caused by continuous artificial selection is of great significance for identifying the genetic mechanisms of important traits of sheep and for the continuous breeding of LBH.Methods: We explored the genetic relationships of LBH, DP, and several Mongolian sheep breeds by constructing phylogenetic tree, principal component analysis and linkage disequilibrium analysis. In addition, we analysed 29 whole genomes of sheep. The genomewide selection signatures have been scanned with four methods: heterozygosity (H<sub>P</sub>), fixation index (F<sub>ST</sub>), cross-population extended haplotype homozygosity (XP-EHH) and the nucleotide diversity (θ<sub>π</sub>) ratio.Results: The genetic relationships analysis showed that LBH appeared to be an independent cluster closer to DP. The candidate signatures of positive selection in sheep genome revealed candidate genes for developmental process (HoxA gene cluster, BCL2L11, TSHR), immunity (CXCL6, CXCL1, SKAP2, PTK6, MST1R), growth (PDGFD, FGF18, SRF, SOCS2), and reproduction (BCAS3, TRIM24, ASTL, FNDC3A). Moreover, two signalling pathways closely related to reproduction, the thyroid hormone signalling pathway and the oxytocin signalling pathway, were detected.Conclusion: The selective sweep analysis of LBH genome revealed candidate genes and signalling pathways associated with developmental process, immunity, growth, and reproduction. Our findings provide a valuable resource for sheep breeding and insight into the mechanisms of artificial selection.
Funder
Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Shandong Provincial Modern Agriculture Industry Technology System
Industrialization of good breeds in Shandong province
Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Publisher
Asian Australasian Association of Animal Production Societies
Subject
General Veterinary,Genetics,Animal Science and Zoology,Physiology,Food Science
Cited by
2 articles.
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