title: Gene-based mapping and pathway analysis of metabolic traits in dairy cows.
abstract: The metabolic adaptation of dairy cows during the transition period has been studied intensively in the last decades. However, until now, only few studies have paid attention to the genetic aspects of this process. Here, we present the results of a gene-based mapping and pathway analysis with the measurements of three key metabolites, (1) non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), (2) beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and (3) glucose, characterizing the metabolic adaptability of dairy cows before and after calving. In contrast to the conventional single-marker approach, we identify 99 significant and biologically sensible genes associated with at least one of the considered phenotypes and thus giving evidence for a genetic basis of the metabolic adaptability. Moreover, our results strongly suggest three pathways involved in the metabolism of steroids and lipids are potential candidates for the adaptive regulation of dairy cows in their early lactation. From our perspective, a closer investigation of our findings will lead to a step forward in understanding the variability in the metabolic adaptability of dairy cows in their early lactation.
authors: Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Animal Breeding and Genetics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Georg-August-University, Goettingen, Germany.
authors: Ngoc-Thuy
authors: NT
authors: Ha
authors: Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors: Josef Johann
authors: JJ
authors: Gross
authors: Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors: Annette
authors: A
authors: van Dorland
authors: Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany.
authors: Jens
authors: J
authors: Tetens
authors: Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany.
authors: Georg
authors: G
authors: Thaller
authors: Chair of Mathematical Statistics, University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Schlather
authors: Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors: Rupert
authors: R
authors: Bruckmaier
authors: Animal Breeding and Genetics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Georg-August-University, Goettingen, Germany.
authors: Henner
authors: H
authors: Simianer
mesh_terms: D020155:3-Hydroxybutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D003612:Dairying; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D055432:Metabolomics / Q000379:methods*; D010641:Phenotype
chemical_list: D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D005947:Glucose; D020155:3-Hydroxybutyric Acid