Genotypes Associated with Yearling Pulmonary Arterial Pressure Similar for Growth Measures in Angus Heifers

The objectives were to 1) identify SNP associated with yearling pulmonary arterial pressure (YPAP) and growth traits, 2) evaluate variants common to YPAP and growth parameters, and 3) identify underlying genes for common variants in Angus cattle. Yearling heifers (n = 1,182) in a high altitude beef production system were measured for PAP. Additionally, growth measures such as birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), yearling weight (YW), hip height (HH), and post-weaning gain (PWG) were recorded. Isolated DNA from blood, hair, or blood card samples were analyzed using the Ilumina Bovine SNP50 Beadchip. Genome-wide association analyses were conducted using an additive multi-locus mixed model with a 5% false discovery rate. Associated SNP (P < 1.00E^-05; number of SNP) were identified for BW (2), WW (3), YW (4), PWG (1), and HH (7), but no SNP were common between YPAP and growth traits. Nominally associated SNP (P < 0.001) were identified for YPAP (41), birth weight (37), weaning weight (47), yearling weight (48), post-weaning gain (41), and hip height (63). There were four intronic SNP common between YPAP and YW on chromosomes BTA 4, 7, and 26. One SNP was also common with PWG and another with HH. Underlying genes within 1 kb of common SNP were SLC36A2 and CFAP58 that are involved in small AA transportation and cell cycle processes, respectively. Results suggested that three genomic regions may co-regulate YPAP and growth traits.