Projects Profile
Project Title
Identification of Genetic Markers Associated with Fertility and Longevity Traits in Dairy Cows
Partnership
Prof Claire D Wathes from Royal Veterinary College, University of London
Prof. Shujun Zhang from Huazhong Agricultural University
Project Aim
Royal Veterinary College London and Huazhong Agricultural University are partnering up to investigate the genetic markers associated with fertility and longevity traits in dairy cows for development of selection criteria with optimum performance for the particular management practices operational in each country. A pilot study is carried out using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip technology to genotype populations of cattle and to link this genetic data with phenotypic information.
In this project the expertise of reproductive physiology and bioinformatics from Royal Veterinary College and of molecular biology and field-based animal genetics from Huazhong Agricultural University are teaming up to form a research partnership. A marketing research is carried out to evaluate the potential application and social and economical benefits of the novel selection criteria to dairy industry in both countries and worldwide.
Inspiration for the projects
The unbalanced and biased selection of breeding dairy cows has caused a gradually decrease in fertility over the past 40 years, which in turn is a major factor resulting in reduced longevity. Ultimately this has led to a decrease in profitability of the dairy industry, caused by waste of animal resources and increased management costs. It is therefore of primary importance to the future development of a sustainable dairy industry that animals are bred which are fit for purpose.
Rapid recent developments in sequencing the bovine genome have led to the development of a commercially available 50K SNP chip. This can be used to genotype populations of cattle and to link this genetic data with phenotypic information. This new technology can potentially be used to develop genomic selection criteria for traits which are difficult to measure, such as fertility.
Commercial Potential and Further Development
The Partnership grant will facilitate a Proof-of-Concept grant in which the latest research technologies are used to identify the genetic markers which optimize dairy cow selection criteria. They can be built as “a diagnostic kit” or used as commercial services to help the farmers with selection of sire and dams. This may lead to a new product or patent.
The research results and products can be used to: 1) improve the economic situation relating to the British and Chinese dairy industries, including a significant increase in profit; 2) improve animal welfare in both countries by breeding dairy cows which are genetically able to cope with the high demands of milk production without suffering adverse health consequences and 3) improve the efficiency of milk production, reducing greenhouse gas emission from dairy cows and thus helping to establish a more environmentally friendly dairy industry.
