Genetic mechanisms and population structure of growth and development in black Tibetan sheep revealed by genome-wide association study and whole-genome resequencing

In conclusion, based on the above analysis, the genetic regions, candidate genes, and enriched pathways that may significantly affect the metabolites of black Tibetan sheep were identified. These findings bridge the gap between the genome and the phenotypic traits, as many of these metabolites are key intermediates or regulators involved in growth and development processes. Combined with the elucidated population genetic structure, this study provides a solid foundation for future research into the mechanisms driving growth and development traits in this breed.