Genomic associations and genetic parameters in carcass and meat quality traits of Santa Inês sheep

• Grant number: 25/11851-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Genetics and Improvement of Domestic Animals
• Principal Investigator: Gerson Barreto Mourão
• Grantee: Beatriz Fornazaro Moraes
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The quality of sheep carcasses comprises both extrinsic factors, such as environment, temperature, and feeding, and intrinsic factors, including tenderness, color, pH, shear force, loin eye area, fat thickness, cooking loss, among other parameters. In several countries, consumers are increasingly demanding regarding all aspects of the production process; therefore, providing healthy, safe, nutritious, and high-quality meat to consumers may ensure its continued consumption. Genotype and environment may interact to influence intrinsic traits such as meat tenderness, by affecting muscle fiber composition-one of the most predominant factors that can interfere with overall product quality. In this context, the present study aims to use genomic information to identify variants associated with genes or regulatory elements with major effects on the phenotypic and genetic variances of traits of interest, through genome-wide association studies (GWAS). These analyses will support the definition of selection strategies in breeding programs, aiming to achieve maximum efficiency in genetic gains for economically important traits. Additionally, the study will also aim to estimate genomic heritabilities and to identify genomic regions and candidate genes associated with carcass and meat quality traits in sheep, using the GBLUP (Genomic Best Linear Unbiased Prediction) model.