Progress on genome-wide association studies and selection signature analysis for agronomic traits in Chinese sheep and goats: review

Sheep and goats, among the earliest domesticated animals, hold significant historical importance in Chinese animal husbandry. The rapid advancement of modern biotechnology has rendered genome wide association studies (GWAS) and selection signature analyses have become indispensable tools in livestock genetic research. This review summarizes recent progress in the application of these methods to sheep and goat breeding in China, analyzes existing challenges in the research, and suggests potential research strategies. GWAS and selection signature analyses have identified key genomic regions associated with agronomically important traits. Genes such as LHX2, FGF12 and Notch3 are associated with hair follicle growth and development, while RBM11, SMARCA5 and GAB1 are linked to body size in sheep. Additionally, BMPRIB has been identified as a determinant of reproductive performance and growth rate in both sheep and goats. Despite progress, several challenges remain, including incomplete reference genomes, insufficient phenotypic data, inadequate algorithms, and a lack of functional validation and practical application of findings. Future work must prioritize genomic refinement, the integration of multi-omics, and the development of algorithm. Enhanced international collaboration is crucial to deciphering the genetic basis of key traits, thereby advancing global industry. These initiatives will enable highly precise breeding strategies. Through precise identification and selection of individuals with desirable genetic traits, breeders can significantly enhance the efficiency of genetic improvement. Using Hua sheep 50k chip as an example, it effectively identifies individuals with superior reproductive genes (such as BMPRIB) at an early stage, increases the lambing rate by 27.7%, accelerates the propagation of high-quality breeding groups, provides a large number of breeding sheep with excellent genetic traits for the global sheep industry, and improve the overall quality of germplasm. This will ultimately enhance the sustainable development of global sheep and goat production.