THI Modulation of Genetic and Non-genetic Variance Components for Carcass Traits in Hanwoo Cattle.

Yoonji Chung,Hak-Kyo Lee,Seung Hwan Lee,Dajeong Lim,Julius Van Der Werf,S Hong Lee

doi:10.3389/fgene.2020.576377

Abstract

The phenotype of carcass traits in beef cattle are affected by random genetic and non-genetic effects, which both can be modulated by an environmental variable such as Temperature-Humidity Index (THI), a key environmental factor in cattle production. In this study, a multivariate reaction norm model (MRNM) was used to assess if the random genetic and non-genetic (i.e., residual) effects of carcass weight (CW), back fat thickness (BFT), eye muscle area (EMA), and marbling score (MS) were modulated by THI, using 9,318 Hanwoo steers (N = 8,964) and cows (N = 354) that were genotyped on the Illumina Bovine SNP50 BeadChip (50K). THI was measured based on the period of 15–45 days before slaughter. Both the correlation and the interaction between THI and random genetic and non-genetic effects were accounted for in the model. In the analyses, it was shown that the genetic effects of EMA and the non-genetic effects of CW and MS were significantly modulated by THI. No significant THI modulation of such effects was found for BFT. These results highlight the relevance of THI changes for the genetic and non-genetic variation of CW, EMA, and MS in Hanwoo beef cattle. Importantly, heritability estimates for CW, EMA, and MS from additive models without considering THI interactions were underestimated. Moreover, the significance of interaction can be biased if not properly accounting for the correlation between THI and genetic and non-genetic effects. Thus, we argue that the estimation of genetic parameters should be based on appropriate models to avoid any potential bias of estimates. Our finding should serve as a basis for future studies aiming at revealing genotype by environment interaction in estimation and genomic prediction of breeding values.

Highlights

Hanwoo is an indigenous beef cattle breed in Korea, originated from a Bos taurus breed in north-east Asia (Kim and Lee, 2000; Yoon et al, 2005; Weglarz, 2010; Lee et al, 2014)
We model G×E and R×E interactions jointly for four carcass traits in Hanwoo cattle that may be modulated by Temperature-Humidity Index (THI), using a multivariate reaction norm model (MRNM)
For carcass weight (CW), we found no significant G×ETHI signal from univariate reaction norm model (URNM) and MRNM, after adjusting for R×ETHI interaction (p = 6.78E– 01 and 1.17E–01 in M2 and M5)

Summary

Introduction

Hanwoo is an indigenous beef cattle breed in Korea, originated from a Bos taurus breed in north-east Asia (Kim and Lee, 2000; Yoon et al, 2005; Weglarz, 2010; Lee et al, 2014). Hanwoo has been bred over the last four decades using artificial selection to improve production traits such as carcass weight, eye muscle area and marbling score (Seideman et al, 1987; Jo et al, 2012). Compared to other beef breeds such as Australian Angus, having high subcutaneous fat depth, Hanwoo beef shows higher marbling scores and increased IMF contents (Cho et al, 2005). Hanwoo produces highly qualified meat with a high omega-3 fatty acid counts and high proportion of mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), which are known to improve lipid profile (e.g., reducing low- and increasing high-density lipoprotein) (Jo et al, 2012; Gotoh and Joo, 2016; Joo et al, 2017)

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Discussion

Conclusion