Frequency of genotypic markers for genetic disorders, colour, polledness, and major genes in Blanco Orejinegro cattle.

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to establish DNA marker frequencies for genetic disorders, colour, horned/polled trait, and major genes of importance for productive and reproductive traits in Blanco Orejinegro (BON) cattle. The Blanco Orejinegro breed is a Colombian creole breed characterized by a white hair coat on black skin with black ears, black hair on the middle part of the legs, and absence of horns. We genotyped 420 animals of Colombia, 70 with the GGP-Bovine 150K chip and 350 with the GGP-Bovine 50K chip. The markers were associated with 50 genetic diseases, 52 major gene variants related to productive traits, and 12 variants related to coat coloration, presence of horns, and adaptation, selected from the information contained in the chips. Genotype frequencies were estimated using the R statistical program. Genetic disorder annotations were derived using the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals tool (OMIA) and the average inbreeding coefficient (F) (n = 7799) using the MTDFNRM program. Carriers were found for 16 of the genetic disorders evaluated but with low frequencies (0.24 to 2.46%); no homozygous animals were found for the disorders. Carriers were associated with disorders such as bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD), deficiency of uridine monophosphate synthase (DUMPS), syndactyly, and epidermolysis bullosa (EB). The F was 4.41%. Concerning the genes associated with colour (TYR, MC1R, and PMEL), alleles related to black pigmentation, the absence of horns (polledness), and slick coat (an adaptive trait) were highly frequent (> 81.90%). Markers associated with milk production and quality, yellow fat, and fertility showed variable frequencies, indicating selection potential. Allele frequency of genetic disorders in BON cattle was low, suggesting few genetic disorder problems, with syndactyly being the most frequent condition. The markers associated with colour and polledness were almost fixed, with a frequency at or near 100%. Production and reproduction markers showed variability for selection.