Genome-Wide Associations With Body and Fleece Weight in United States Sheep

June 2025 in “ Genes ”

Gabrielle M. Becker, Daniel Schaub, J. B. Taylor, Michelle R. Mousel, Carrie S Wilson, Jamin Smitchger, Jacob W Thorne, Brenda M. Murdoch

TLDR Certain genetic markers can help predict wool production in U.S. sheep.

A genome-wide association study (GWAS) involving 1,125 ewes from Rambouillet, Polypay, Suffolk, and Columbia breeds identified 24 SNPs associated with lifetime fleece weight, average fleece weight, and average post-lambing ewe weight. The study found ROH islands on specific chromosomes in Rambouillet and Suffolk breeds and identified 18 SNPs near 37 genes of interest through F<sub>ST</sub> analysis. Notably, many SNPs were located near candidate genes for wool production, such as ADAR, KCNN3, NTN1, SETBP1, TP53, and TNFSF12. These findings suggest that the significant SNPs could be used to predict wool production potential and warrant further investigation to better understand the genetic mechanisms of wool traits in U.S. sheep breeds.

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