DOI: 10.5061/dryad.8sf7m0cxr
title: Genome-wide association study identifies genomic regions associated with key reproductive traits in Korean Hanwoo cows

description: Background Conducting genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for
 reproductive traits in Hanwoo cattle, including age at first calving
 (AFC), calving interval (CI), gestation length (GL), and number of
 artificial inseminations per conception (NAIPC), is of paramount
 significance. These analyses provided a thorough exploration of the
 genetic basis of these traits, facilitating the identification of key
 markers for targeted trait improvement. Breeders can optimize their
 selection strategies, leading to more efficient and sustainable breeding
 programs, by incorporating genetic insights. This impact extends beyond
 individual traits and contributes to the overall productivity and
 profitability of the Hanwoo beef cattle industry. Ultimately, GWAS is
 essential in ensuring the long-term genetic resilience and adaptability of
 Hanwoo cattle populations. The primary goal of this study was to identify
 significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or quantitative trait
 loci (QTLs) associated with the studied reproductive traits and
 subsequently map the underlying genes that hold promise for trait
 improvement. Results A genome-wide association study of reproductive
 traits identified 68 significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)
 distributed across 29 Bos taurus autosomes (BTA). Among them,
 BTA14 exhibited the highest number of identified SNPs (25), whereas BTA6,
 BTA7, BTA8, BTA10, BTA13, BTA17, and BTA20 exhibited 8, 5, 5, 3, 8, 2, and
 12 significant SNPs, respectively. Annotation of candidate genes within a
 500 kb region surrounding the significant SNPs led to the identification
 of ten candidate genes relevant to age at first calving. These genes were:
 FANCG, UNC13B, TESK1, TLN1, and CREB3 on BTA8; FAM110B, UBXN2B, SDCBP, and
 TOX on BTA14; and MAP3K1 on BTA20. Additionally, APBA3, TCF12, and ZFR2,
 located on BTA7 and BTA10, were associated with the calving interval;
 PAX1, SGCD, and HAND1, located on BTA7 and BTA13, were linked to gestation
 length; and RBM47, UBE2K, and GPX8, located on BTA6 and BTA20, were linked
 to the number of artificial inseminations per conception in Hanwoo cows.
 Conclusions The findings of this study enhance our knowledge of the
 genetic factors that influence reproductive traits in Hanwoo cattle
 populations and provide a foundation for future breeding strategies
 focused on improving desirable traits in beef cattle. This research offers
 new evidence and insights into the genetic variants and genome regions
 associated with reproductive traits and contributes valuable information
 to guide future efforts in cattle breeding.
description: **Korean Hanwoo 50K SNP Data** ***Dataset Overview:*** This dataset
 contains the genomic data from the first-parity Korean Hanwoo cows,
 collected from nine commercial herds located in the Gyeongsanbuk-do
 province of South Korea. A total of 11,348 cows were included in this
 data, and each was genotyped using the Illumina Bovine 50K SNP chip.
 ***Files Included:*** * Plink PED File: This file contains the genotype
 information in a format recognizable by Plink, a widely used tool for
 whole-genome association analysis. Each row represents a single animal
 with its genotype data across the 53,866 SNPs. * Plink MAP File:
 Accompanying the PED file, this MAP file provides detailed marker
 information for the 53,866 SNPs on the chip, including their specific
 locations on the bovine genome. ***Purpose of the Dataset:*** The primary
 purpose of making this dataset available is to contribute to the broader
 scientific understanding of genetic traits in Hanwoo cattle, particularly
 those traits affecting reproductive performance in first-parity cows. By
 sharing these data, we aim to support further research in bovine genetics,
 breeding strategies, and trait selection that can lead to improvements in
 cattle health and productivity.