Understanding and utilizing genetic diversity in Dual-Purpose Blue: genome‐wide association for type traits

Abstract

peer reviewedDual-Purpose Blue in Belgium and northern France is a local breed that is currently in the focus in order to understand its genetic distinctiveness and its use for local products. Its genomic evaluation systems are evolving, and its specific genetic distinctness was here studied for type traits. Results showed that throughout the 23 traits, there were two distinguishable genomic regions (BTA2 and BTA26) where BTA26 was associated with development traits and BTA2 was associated with muscularity traits, but also with associated traits as overall rump, udder depth, overall udder, and rear udder. Given these results future genomic evaluation systems should consider the segregating MSTN (myostatin), which is located on BTA2