Cattle adaptation to a diverse range of environmental conditions is influenced by natural and artificial selection. Understanding the genomic and functional mechanisms underlying these adaptations is crucial for improving livestock resilience and productivity. Such information can provide critical information for setting priorities when conserving bovine genetic resources while adapting to changing environmental conditions.
The whole-genome resequencing and comparative genomic analyses of 22 Yaroslavl cattle individuals, a Russian dairy breed known for its adaptability and productivity, revealed genetic differentiation between Yaroslavl cattle and other breeds in this study. Deleterious missense mutation on the KAT6B gene was shown to be nearly Yaroslavl cattle specific and the mutation associated with negative carcass and morphology traits, thus providing an insight into breed-specific evolutionary adaptations to local environments. Gene expression profiles of adipose tissues in native and commercial cattle breeds was investigated using 81 tissue samples of the Yakutian, Northern Finncattle, Mirandesa, and Holstein breeds. Cold adapted breeds, such as Yakutian cattle exhibited upregulated genes (such as NR4A3, TEKT3, and FGGY) involved in energy metabolism and lipid regulation suggesting a genetic basis for their improved resilience against extreme cold climates. Analysis of unmapped sequencing reads investigated pathogen diversity in cattle populations from different geographical regions ranging from South Africa in the Southern hemisphere to Finland in the North involving 26 breeds. The results revealed a pathogen diversity gradient with southern cattle breeds (e.g., Egyptian cattle and Ugandan cattle) exhibiting higher pathogen “loads”, particularly vector-borne pathogens such as Theileria parva and Anaplasma platys. Holstein cattle had significantly lower pathogen aligned sequences likely due to the nature of the production environment whereas native breeds showed a broader range of microbial diversity and as such a potentially higher range of asymptomatic disease resistance. The identification of breed specific selection signatures, differential gene expression in adipose tissues, and potential pathogen sequence associated unmapped reads provides valuable insights for livestock conservation, breeding programs, and future disease management and surveillance strategies. This dissertation work has contributed to the growing field of livestock genomics by identifying genetic markers associated with adaptation in native cattle breeds, potentially informing and facilitating targeted breeding for resilience and productivity.
MSc Daniil Ruvinskiy will defend the doctoral dissertation entitled "Revealing the Spectrum of Genomic Diversity of Native Cattle Breeds Using Structural and Functional Genomics" in the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki, on 19 September 2025 at 13:00. The public examination will take place at the following address: Metsätieteiden talo, Raisio hall (LS B2), Latokartanonkaari 7. Professor Göran Andersson, University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden, will serve as the opponent, and professor Pekka Uimari as the custos.
The dissertation is also available in electronic form in
Contact: Daniil Ruvinskiy