687. Archetypal clustering reveals physiological mechanisms linking milk yield and fertility in dairy cattle

Abstract

A negative genetic correlation between milk yield and fertility is now well-documented, however, the underlying biological causes are still uncertain. Our objective was to examine this problem from a genomic perspective by first using archetypal clustering to identify and group variants with similar patterns of effects across traits, and then by using pathway analysis to identify the biological processes underpinning variants with similar effects. Nine groups with distinct effects on production, fertility and conformation traits were identified. Cluster one had strong effects on fat, protein, and milk yields in contrasting directions with weak effects on fertility, and was characterized by genes affecting insulin, energy metabolism, and metabolic rate. Cluster three had strong effects on fertility but weak effects on production, characterized by genes associated with cell-cell adhesion and embryonic development. Initial results suggest that clusters are consistent with prior knowledge about the associated genes but may also suggest new areas for further research.