In early lactation dairy cows are exposed to excessive metabolic stress that can result in health problems. These have a negative impact on animal welfare and the economical viability of milk production.
In this study, candidate genes for the way how dairy cows cope with the early lactational metabolic challenge were identified with genome-wide association studies. Fat content and fat-protein-ratio of milk were used as parameters. The incidence of significant association signals at the identified QTL variied depending on the lactation period. Furthermore, correlations between health and performance traits and variants of the vitamin-D-binding-protein encoding gene were detected.
The associated polymorphisms can be implemented as markers in genomic selection to improve health and productive life of dairy cows.
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In early lactation dairy cows are exposed to excessive metabolic stress that can result in health problems. These have a negative impact on animal welfare and the economical viability of milk production.
In this study, candidate genes for the way how dairy cows cope with the early lactational metabolic challenge were identified with genome-wide association studies. Fat content and fat-protein-ratio of milk were used as parameters. The incidence of significant association signals at the identifi...
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