Pregnancy loss (PL) is a major contributor to reproductive inefficiency in beef cattle operations and carries significant economic implications for producers. Although management and environmental factors are known to influence pregnancy maintenance, the genetic factors contributing to PL remain poorly understood, particularly in Bos indicus-influenced breeds. We identified genomic regions and candidate genes associated with PL using genomic and phenotypic data from a Brahman population. Our results revealed several genomic regions potentially involved in reproductive processes essential for pregnancy maintenance. The identified candidate genes are associated with biological functions such as embryo development, immune response, and hormonal regulation—all of which play critical roles during early gestation. By identifying animals with a lower genetic risk of PL, producers may improve calving rates and enhance overall herd productivity through more informed selection and breeding decisions.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.