Bioscience Evidence 2024, Vol.14, No.1, 24-31 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/be 28 Beyond identifying genetic markers related to disease resistance, GWAS also facilitates the elucidation of the functional relationship between these markers and disease resistance. Through bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation, researchers can determine the functions and regulatory mechanisms of genes at these marker locations. For example, some markers may be located on immune-related genes, playing roles in regulating immune responses, thereby affecting the cattle's disease resistance capabilities. This functional analysis aids in deepening the understanding of the genetic mechanisms behind cattle's disease resistance, providing a scientific basis for further breeding strategies. 4.2 Application of GWAS in pig disease resistance research Pigs are one of the vital livestock animals, and their disease resistance is crucial for the sustainable development of the breeding industry. In recent years, the application of GWAS technology in pig disease resistance research has matured, providing significant scientific support for the genetic mechanism analysis and breeding of pig disease resistance. In pig disease resistance research, GWAS technology has been widely applied in the genetic analysis of various common diseases. For instance, diseases such as porcine circovirus (McKnite et al., 2014) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) (Walker et al., 2019) are significant afflictions in the pig breeding industry. By performing GWAS analysis on genotype and phenotype data from large pig populations, researchers can identify genetic markers associated with resistance to these diseases. Besides identifying genetic markers related to disease resistance, GWAS also reveals the complex genetic mechanisms of disease resistance. Pig disease resistance is often influenced by multiple genes, and interactions among genes can also significantly impact resistance. GWAS analysis helps identify candidate genes related to disease resistance, further exploring their interactions and regulatory networks in the disease resistance process, aiding in unveiling the genetic mechanisms of pig disease resistance. 4.3 Application of GWAS in chicken disease resistance research Chickens are important poultry animals, and their disease resistance is significant for the breeding industry. With the continuous development of GWAS technology, chicken disease resistance research has made notable progress. The application of GWAS technology in chicken disease resistance research mainly focuses on identifying genetic markers related to disease resistance and revealing their functions. In chicken disease resistance research, researchers have identified a series of genetic markers related to disease resistance through GWAS analysis of genotype and phenotype data from large chicken populations (Deng et al., 2022). These markers can help breeders select individuals with better disease resistance for breeding, thereby improving the disease resistance capability of the entire chicken population. Moreover, GWAS also reveals the genetic mechanisms behind chicken disease resistance. Through functional analysis and bioinformatics, researchers can determine the functions and regulatory mechanisms of genes related to disease resistance, further understanding the genetic basis of chicken disease resistance. This provides an important scientific basis for conducting precision breeding and enhancing chicken disease resistance. 5 Future Prospects in Animal Disease Resistance Research 5.1 The ongoing role of GWAS technology in animal disease resistance research As the fields of genetics and bioinformatics continue to evolve, GWAS technology will maintain its crucial role in research on animal disease resistance. GWAS can identify genetic markers associated with disease resistance, further unveiling the genetic underpinnings of animal disease resistance. By conducting in-depth studies on these markers, a better understanding of disease resistance mechanisms can be achieved, providing more genetic resources and strategies for livestock and poultry breeding. The continuous optimization and improvement of GWAS technology will make it more precise and efficient in animal disease resistance research. With the expansion of sample sizes, advancements in data analysis methods, and progress in genome sequencing technologies, GWAS will be able to analyze the genetic mechanisms of animal disease resistance more
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