Abstract
Context
Somatic cell count (SCC) is used as an indicator of udder health. The log transformation of SCC is called somatic cell score (SCS).
Aim
Several QTL and genes have been identified that are associated with SCS. This study aimed to identify the most important genes associated with SCS.
Methods
This study compiled 168 genes that were reported to be significantly linked to SCS. Pathway analysis and network analysis were used to identify hub genes.
Key results
Pathway analysis of these genes identified 73 gene ontology (GO) terms associated with SCS. These GO terms are associated with molecular function, biological processes, and cellular components, and the identified pathways are directly or indirectly linked with the immune system. In this study, a gene network was constructed, and from this network, the 17 hub genes (CD4, CXCL8, TLR4, STAT1, TLR2, CXCL9, CCR2, IGF1, LEP, SPP1, GH1, GHR, VWF, TNFSF11, IL10RA, NOD2, and PDGFRB) associated to SCS were identified. The subnetwork analysis yielded 10 clusters, with cluster 1 containing all identified hub genes (except for the VWF gene).
Conclusion
Most hub genes and pathways identified in our study were mainly involved in inflammatory and cytokine responses.
Implications
Result obtained in current study provides knowledge of the genetic basis and biological mechanisms controlling SCS. Therefore, the identified hub genes may be regarded as the main gene for the genomic selection of mastitis resistance.
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Data availability
All genes used in this study were extracted from (https://www.animalgenome.org/cgi-bin/QTLdb/BT/gene%20srch?gwords).
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge the Payame Noor University for financial support of this research.
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HG and MK contributed to conceptualization, methodology and reviewed and edited the final manuscript, RT contributed to revision and edited the final manuscript.
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Ghiasi, H., Khaldari, M. & Taherkhani, R. Identification of hub genes associated with somatic cell score in dairy cow. Trop Anim Health Prod 55, 349 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-023-03766-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-023-03766-2