HAPLOTYPES
IMPACTING FERTILITY With our growing knowledge about the bovine genome, experts have predicted for some time that we’d likely discover numerous cattle genetic defects. Human genetic researchers estimate that we each carry four or five genetic defects. It’s reasonable to expect that these exist at a similar level in cattle. USDA researchers along with international collaborators have identified haplotypes that appear to cause embryo loss or stillbirths when these haplotypes exist in the homozygous state. These genetic conditions have not been directly observed and we do not know the exact genetic or biological cause of why the embryos or fetuses are not viable. Because of this, they’ve been given simple names of Jersey Haplotype 1 (JH1), Brown Swiss Haplotype 1 (BH1), Brown Swiss Haplotype 2 (BH2), Ayrshire Haplotype 1 (AH1) and Ayrshire Haplotype 2 (AH2). These haplotypes appear to have a recessive mode of inheritance where animals with zero or one copy of the haplotype are completely normal. Those that inherit two copies of the haplotype are lost as embryos or are stillborn. The impacts of these haplotypes vary and are dependent on their frequency in the population and at what stage of gestation the pregnancies are lost. JHI has a frequency of 18.4 percent. BH2 exists at a frequency of 13.3 percent.
AYRSHIRE 7AY114 PETITION 7AY118 CHAMP 9AY129 JAMAICA
Two haplotypes have been discovered in the Ayrshire breed (AH1) and it exists at the highest frequency of 22.2 percent, AH2 exists at a frequency of 21.0 percent. It’s important to realize that the negative impact of these haplotypes is already accounted for in the routinely published sire conception rate (SCR) evaluations and daughter pregnancy rate (DPR) genomic evaluations. So, if you are using these traits in selecting your A.I. sires, you’re already avoiding or compensating for these new genetic conditions. The haplotypes each represent a distinct and unique genetic condition. They are not related to each other. The haplotypes have no impact when a bull that is heterozygous for AH1 is mated to a cow that is heterozygous for AH2. The risk is only experienced when animals are heterozygous for the same haplotype. Select Mating Service (SMS) is an excellent tool for managing these genetic conditions. By using the SMS program, herds with at least one generation of pedigree information on their cows can use heterozygous bulls with less than 1 percent chance of lost pregnancies from known conditions.
JERSEY 7JE1038 VALENTINO 7JE1722 JX DASHIELL {6} 7JE5011 MEGAPOWER 14JE1806 JX BLITZEN {4} 14JE1890 DECATUR 507JE1814 DIMITRI-P 614JE1885 JADYN
BROWN SWISS AH2C AH2C AH2C
7BS852 BOSEPHUS BH2C
JH1C JH1C JH1C JH1C JH1C JH1C JH1C
SIRE LISTING Jersey Neuropathy with Splayed Forelimbs (JNS) The list below contains sires from the Select Sires, Accelerated Genetics and GenerVations lineups that are carriers for JNS. The American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) recently shared news of a new undesirable trait known as Jersey Neuropathy with Splayed Forelimbs or JNS. Select Sires is working closely with the AJCA and researchers from USDA-AGIL to learn about this new undesirable trait. As your cooperative, we will continue to support you and provide you with the most up-to-date information. Genetic research and genomic testing are more prevalent than ever before. As technology advances and we test more cattle, we will continue to make these types of genetic discoveries. While it is likely that many sires will carry this undesirable trait, we have the available genetic information and breeding strategies to avoid its impact. By using genetic test results, pedigree information and guidance from your Select Mating Service® (SMS®) genetic consultant, you can avoid carrier-to-carrier matings and successfully manage undesirable traits. This breeding strategy avoids economic loss while continuing to utilize the industry’s best genetics.
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7JE1617
JX Ahlem Baltazar KIAWA {6}-P-ET
507JE1800
S-S-I Victory Dashiell RENFROW-ET
7JE1831
Ahlem Kiawa ENSIGN 24617-ET
7JE5004
River Valley Cece CHROME-ET
14JE1796
S-S-I Victory Miami OVERTON-ET
14JE1810
Jer-Z-Boyz BULWURX-P-ET
14JE1833
Valsigna Chrome ANDERS
250JE1793
South Mountain CANDYMAN-ET
Sires are part of the Select Sires, Accelerated Genetics and GenerVations active lineups. List as of 12/1/2020