Improving Dairy Cattle Fertility Using Translational Genomics

AFRI 2013-68004-20365

T. Spencer, H. Neibergs, J. Dalton,M. Chahine, D. Moore, P. Hansen, J. Cole,

and A. De Vries

Relationship of Milk Productionand Daughter Pregnancy Rate (DPR)

(Adapted from Spencer and Hansen) USDA NIFA AFRI 2013-68004-20365

Genomic Selection Marker-assisted selection (using the whole genome)

Increased feasibility due to sequencing of bovine genome and new methods to efficiently genotype animals

Marker discovery requires carefully phenotyped populations

Can be based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and copy number variation (CNV) Illumina 777K

BovineHD Beadchip

How do we increase fertility?

USDA NIFA AFRI 2013-68004-20365

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP)

USDA NIFA AFRI 2013-68004-20365

Long-term goal: Increase fertility of dairy cattle

Research approach: • Develop novel genetic markers of fertility in heifers and lactating cows• Determine effects of specific SNPs on daughter pregnancy rate (DPR) and

embryo development

Extension approach:• Disseminate, demonstrate, evaluate and document the impact of using genetic

selection tools to increase fertility on herd management and profitability

Integrated Research-Extension Project

Approach: Using records, Holstein heifers and primiparous cows will be fertility classified based on pregnancy outcome to AI. • Heifers: normal reproductive tract, no record of diseases, and

display standing estrus before AI. • Cows: normal reproductive tract, uncomplicated pregnancy,

no record of diseases before or after AI, and display standing estrus before AI.

Fertility phenotypes:• Highly fertile (pregnant on first AI)• Subfertile (pregnant after 4th AI)• Infertile (never pregnant to AI and culled)

Objective 1: Develop Novel Markers Of Fertility

USDA NIFA AFRI 2013-68004-20365

Genome-wide Association Study (GWAS) of Fertility in Holstein Heifers

Fertility phenotyped by artificial insemination (AI) breeding record analysis• 468 High Fertile (pregnant upon first AI)• 188 Infertile (never pregnant with no obvious physiological

problems) Animals were genotyped using the Illumina BovineHD 777K BeadChip

Chromosome

-log1

0(p-

valu

e)

(Moraes et al., 2015)

Strong association

Moderate association

USDA NIFA AFRI 2013-68004-20365

Objective 2: Determine Effects of SNPs on DPRand Embryo Development

Identify (and genotype) bulls with high or low DPR

Identify SNPs in genes known to be involved in reproduction that are related to DPR

USDA NIFA AFRI 2013-68004-20365(Photos courtesy of Select Sires, Inc.)

SNPs in Genes Associated with DPR 40 SNPs were identified that were related to DPR

29 of the 40 SNPs were not significantly related to production traits

• Suggests selection for fertility without negative selection for milk yield is possible

Implications – SNPs can be used to improve genetic selection and to better understand physiological basis for fertility.

(Adapted from Hansen; Cochran et al., 2013) USDA NIFA AFRI 2013-68004-20365

Objective 3: Evaluate the efficiency and profitability of increasing fertility in dairy cattle using genetic selection tools. (Computer modeling; Web-based decision support tool).

Objective 4: Transfer science-based information to dairy producers, managers, and allied industry personnel, with strategies to improve fertility using novel genomic information and tools.

Objectives 3 and 4

2016 DAIRY CATTLEGENOMICS WORKSHOPS

Jerome, ID Sunnyside, WA Stephenville, TX Okeechobee, FL Tulare, CA

USDA NIFA AFRI 2013-68004-20365

Expected Outcomes of the Grant Better genomic tools for predicting reproduction Increased reliability of estimates of breeding values

for reproductive traits More rapid progress in improving dairy cow fertility

(Adapted from Hansen) USDA NIFA AFRI 2013-68004-20365

THANK YOU. GRACÍAS. OBRIGADO.

Darin Mann, M/M Feedlot, ID Fred Muller, Ag Health Laboratories, WA Levi Gassaway, Cow Palace Dairy, WA Kelly Reed, DeRuyter Brothers Dairy, WA Jason Sheehan, J&K Dairy, WA Dan DeRuyter, DeRuyter & Son Dairy, WA Kevin Gavin & João Moraes, WSU

USDA NIFA AFRI 2013-68004-20365