Association Analysis of Polymorphisms in the 5′ Flanking Region of the <i>HSP70</i> Gene with Blood Biochemical Parameters of Lactating Holstein Cows under Heat and Cold Stress

Abstract

Thermal stress (heat and cold) has large economic and welfare implications for the worldwide dairy industry. Therefore, it is paramount to understand the genetic background of coping mechanism related to thermal stress for the implementation of effective genetic selection schemes in dairy cattle. We performed an association study between 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms having minor allelic frequency (MAF > 0.05) in the HSP70 gene with blood biochemical parameters. The concentrations of growth hormone (GH), lactate (LA), prolactin (PRL), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in blood were significantly higher (p p p p p p p p < 0.05) with DA and SOD under cold stress condition, respectively. These SNPs markers significantly associated with fluctuations in blood biochemical parameters under thermal stress provide a better insight into the genetic mechanisms underlying climatic resilience in Holstein cattle.

Keywords

• heat stress
• cold stress
• blood biochemical parameters
• Chinese Holstein cattle
• <i>HSP70</i> gene