# Genome-Wide Association Study on the Estimated Breeding Values for Udder and Longevity and the Candidate Genes in Holstein-Friesian Cows in Hungary

## TL;DR

This study identifies genetic regions in Hungarian Holstein-Friesian cows linked to udder traits and longevity, revealing potential shared genetic influences.

## Contribution

The study discovers SNPs and overlapping genes associated with udder and longevity traits in Holstein-Friesian cows.

## Key findings

- No single SNP was associated with multiple udder and longevity traits.
- Two SNPs were found near genes potentially influencing both udder and longevity traits.
- Functional analysis showed overlapping biological processes across the traits.

## Abstract

We analyzed the genome of Hungarian Holstein-Friesian cows to identify genomic regions that affect the udder and longevity. None of the investigated single-nucleotide polymorphisms were associated with more than one of the udder and longevity traits in the sampled animals. There was one region that had overlapping genes within one million base pairs of two single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with udder or longevity.

Our genome-wide association study identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with estimated breeding values (EBVs) for udder traits and longevity in Holstein-Friesian cows. While no SNP was individually associated with multiple EBVs, the functional profiles of the associated genes revealed overlapping biological processes across traits, including cell signaling, transcription regulation, immune response, metabolism, and cellular maintenance. Notably, nearby SNPs BTB-01738708 and ARS-BFGL-NGS-111478 were associated with EBVlongevity and EBVudder and located near numerous genes, including GPR85, BMT2, IFRD1, and DOCK4, suggesting a potential for shared genetic influence on these traits. Our findings provide insights into the complex genetic architecture of these economically important traits and highlight the need for further research, including fine-mapping and functional genomics, to elucidate the specific variants and their effects.