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Zhang K, Wang G, Wang L, Wen B, Fu X, Liu N, Yu Z, Jian W, Guo X, Liu H, Chen SY. A genome-wide association study of coat color in Chinese Rex rabbits. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1184764. [PMID: 37655262 PMCID: PMC10467280 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1184764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Coat color is an important phenotypic characteristic of the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and has specific economic importance in the Rex rabbit industry. Coat color varies considerably among different populations of rabbits, and several causal genes for this variation have been thoroughly studied. Nevertheless, the candidate genes affecting coat color variation in Chinese Rex rabbits remained to be investigated. In this study, we collected blood samples from 250 Chinese Rex rabbits with six different coat colors. We performed genome sequencing using a restriction site-associated DNA sequencing approach. A total of 91,546 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), evenly distributed among 21 autosomes, were identified. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were performed using a mixed linear model, in which the individual polygenic effect was fitted as a random effect. We detected a total of 24 significant SNPs that were located within a genomic region on chromosome 4 (OCU4). After re-fitting the most significant SNP (OCU4:13,434,448, p = 1.31e-12) as a covariate, another near-significant SNP (OCU4:11,344,946, p = 7.03e-07) was still present. Hence, we conclude that the 2.1-Mb genomic region located between these two significant SNPs is significantly associated with coat color in Chinese Rex rabbits. The well-studied coat-color-associated agouti signaling protein (ASIP) gene is located within this region. Furthermore, low genetic differentiation was also observed among the six coat color varieties. In conclusion, our results confirmed that ASIP is a putative causal gene affecting coat color variation in Chinese Rex rabbits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zhang
- Sichuan Academy of Grassland Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Guozhi Wang
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Lihuan Wang
- Sichuan Academy of Grassland Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Bin Wen
- Sichuan Academy of Grassland Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiangchao Fu
- Sichuan Academy of Grassland Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ning Liu
- Sichuan Academy of Grassland Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhiju Yu
- Sichuan Academy of Grassland Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Wensu Jian
- Sichuan Academy of Grassland Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaolin Guo
- Sichuan Academy of Grassland Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hanzhong Liu
- Sichuan Academy of Grassland Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shi-Yi Chen
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Fatima N, Jia L, Liu B, Li L, Bai L, Wang W, Zhao S, Wang R, Liu E. A homozygous missense mutation in the fibroblast growth factor 5 gene is associated with the long-hair trait in Angora rabbits. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:298. [PMID: 37268908 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09405-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rabbits are well-domesticated animals. As a crucial economic animal, rabbit has been successfully bred into wool-use, meat-use and fur-use breeds. Hair length is one of the most economically important traits affecting profitability in wool rabbits. In this study, to identify selection signatures with the long-hair trait, whole-genomic resequencing of long-haired rabbits (Angora rabbits) and short-haired rabbits (Rex and New Zealand rabbits) was performed. RESULTS By genome-wide selective sweeping analysis based on population comparison, we identified a total of 5.85 Mb regions (containing 174 candidate genes) with strong selection signals. Six of these genes (Dusp1, Ihh, Fam134a, Map3k1, Spata16, and Fgf5) were enriched in the MAPK signalling and Hedgehog signalling pathways, both of which are closely associated with hair growth regulation. Among these genes, Fgf5 encodes the FGF5 protein, which is a well-established regulator of hair growth. There was a nonsynonymous nucleotide substitution (T19234C) in the Fgf5 gene. At this locus, the C allele was present in all of the tested Angora rabbits, while the T allele was dominant in New Zealand and Rex rabbits. We further confirmed that the C allele was conserved in Angora rabbits by screening an additional 135 rabbits. Moreover, the results of functional predictions and co-immunoprecipitation revealed that the T19234C mutation impaired the binding capacity of FGF5 to its receptor FGFR1. CONCLUSIONS We discovered that the homozygous missense mutation T19234C within Fgf5 might contribute to the long-hair trait of Angora rabbits by reducing its receptor binding capacity. This finding will provide new insights into the genetic basis underlying the genetic improvement of Angora rabbits and benefit the improvement of rabbit breeding in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazira Fatima
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Linying Jia
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Baoning Liu
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lu Li
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Liang Bai
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Weirong Wang
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Sihai Zhao
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Rong Wang
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China.
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Enqi Liu
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China.
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China.
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Crosta L, Petrini D, Sawmy S. Reproduction Management of Herds/Flocks of Exotic Animals: Investigating Breeding Failures in Birds, Reptiles, and Small Mammals. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract 2021; 24:661-695. [PMID: 34366014 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvex.2021.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The management of a breeding facility of exotic species is challenging and managing these on a large scale can be a daunting task for general practitioners or novice exotic animal veterinarians. They are usually not trained to work with flocks or herds, and even most exotic animal veterinarians are used to working with single patients. This article gives some suggestions and tips on how to proceed when facing an exotic animal collection and especially when breeding is not as successful as expected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Crosta
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Avian, Reptile and Exotic Pet Hospital, 415 Werombi Road, Camden, 2570 NSW, Australia.
| | - Daniele Petrini
- Medicina e Chirurgia Degli Animali Non Convenzionali, Segretario SIVAE
| | - Shivananden Sawmy
- Avian, Reptile and Exotic Pet Hospital, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney
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