Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
- Hazhir Gharibi 1
- Jalal Rostamzadeh 2
- Nematollah asadi 3
- Mohammad Razmkabir 2
- Mohammad Hossein Banabazi 4
1 ph.D student
2 Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran
3 Department of Animal Science, Animal Science Research Institute of Iran, Karaj
4 Department of Animal Science, Animal Science Research Institute of Iran, Karaj, Iran
Abstract
Transcriptomic studies are powerful tools for identifying biological pathways and genetic markers associated with economically important traits and disease resistance in livestock. In this study, gene expression patterns in pure Sistani cattle and their crossbreeds with Holstein were examined using RNA-Seq technology. Blood samples from two groups (pure Sistani cattle and Sistani–Holstein crossbreeds; each group with two biological replicates) were collected and analyzed. After quality control, the data were processed using Cuffdiff, and differentially expressed genes were identified based on the criterion FDR < 0.05. Differential expression analysis revealed that a total of 194 genes showed significant differences between the two groups. Functional analysis of these genes indicated their involvement in pathways related to immune response, metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cellular signal transduction. The reduced expression of oxygen-transport–related genes (HBA and HBB) and the increased expression of MHC family genes (BOLA-DQB) in the crossbreeds may reflect physiological adaptations resulting from crossbreeding. Additionally, alterations in cell-cycle genes (p21) and stress-response genes (DDIT4) highlighted the impact of crossbreeding on cellular protective mechanisms. Overall, the findings suggest that crossing Sistani cattle with the Holstein breed can, while retaining part of the native breed’s resistance advantages, lead to improvements in productive traits.
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