<i>EPAS1</i> Variations and Hematological Adaptations to High-Altitude Hypoxia in Indigenous Goats in Yunnan Province, China

The <i>EPAS1</i> gene plays a central role in hypoxia adaptation in high-altitude animals. Using over 400 blood samples from goats across elevations in Yunnan (500–3500 m), this study examined hematological traits, genetic polymorphisms, and protein structure. Red blood cell (RBC) and he...

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Main Authors: Li Zhu, Lin Tang, Yunong Zhao, Shanshan Li, Xiao Gou, Weidong Deng, Xiaoyan Kong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/5/695
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author Li Zhu
Lin Tang
Yunong Zhao
Shanshan Li
Xiao Gou
Weidong Deng
Xiaoyan Kong
author_facet Li Zhu
Lin Tang
Yunong Zhao
Shanshan Li
Xiao Gou
Weidong Deng
Xiaoyan Kong
author_sort Li Zhu
collection DOAJ
description The <i>EPAS1</i> gene plays a central role in hypoxia adaptation in high-altitude animals. Using over 400 blood samples from goats across elevations in Yunnan (500–3500 m), this study examined hematological traits, genetic polymorphisms, and protein structure. Red blood cell (RBC) and hemoglobin (HGB) levels increased significantly with altitude (<i>p</i> < 0.05), reflecting improved oxygen transport. A non-synonymous SNP (<i>g.86650 A>T</i>, p.Gln556Leu) exhibited adaptive selection, with the <i>T</i> allele frequency rising at higher altitudes (<i>p</i> < 0.05). At 2500 m, <i>TT</i> genotype goats showed significantly higher RBC and HGB levels than AA genotypes (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Protein modeling revealed structural instability caused by the polymorphism, highlighting its role in enhancing hypoxia adaptation. These findings provide a foundation for improving high-altitude livestock genetics.
format Article
id doaj-art-2b3dfcd23bbc4886b60d2dad3f434460
institution DOAJ
issn 2076-2615
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Animals
spelling doaj-art-2b3dfcd23bbc4886b60d2dad3f4344602025-08-20T02:52:35ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-02-0115569510.3390/ani15050695<i>EPAS1</i> Variations and Hematological Adaptations to High-Altitude Hypoxia in Indigenous Goats in Yunnan Province, ChinaLi Zhu0Lin Tang1Yunong Zhao2Shanshan Li3Xiao Gou4Weidong Deng5Xiaoyan Kong6Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, ChinaFaculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, ChinaSchool of Animal Science and Technology, Foshan University, Foshan 528231, ChinaSchool of Animal Science and Technology, Foshan University, Foshan 528231, ChinaSchool of Animal Science and Technology, Foshan University, Foshan 528231, ChinaFaculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, ChinaFaculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, ChinaThe <i>EPAS1</i> gene plays a central role in hypoxia adaptation in high-altitude animals. Using over 400 blood samples from goats across elevations in Yunnan (500–3500 m), this study examined hematological traits, genetic polymorphisms, and protein structure. Red blood cell (RBC) and hemoglobin (HGB) levels increased significantly with altitude (<i>p</i> < 0.05), reflecting improved oxygen transport. A non-synonymous SNP (<i>g.86650 A>T</i>, p.Gln556Leu) exhibited adaptive selection, with the <i>T</i> allele frequency rising at higher altitudes (<i>p</i> < 0.05). At 2500 m, <i>TT</i> genotype goats showed significantly higher RBC and HGB levels than AA genotypes (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Protein modeling revealed structural instability caused by the polymorphism, highlighting its role in enhancing hypoxia adaptation. These findings provide a foundation for improving high-altitude livestock genetics.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/5/695Tibetan goat<i>EPAS1</i> genegenetic polymorphismhematological traitshypoxia adaptation
spellingShingle Li Zhu
Lin Tang
Yunong Zhao
Shanshan Li
Xiao Gou
Weidong Deng
Xiaoyan Kong
<i>EPAS1</i> Variations and Hematological Adaptations to High-Altitude Hypoxia in Indigenous Goats in Yunnan Province, China
Animals
Tibetan goat
<i>EPAS1</i> gene
genetic polymorphism
hematological traits
hypoxia adaptation
title <i>EPAS1</i> Variations and Hematological Adaptations to High-Altitude Hypoxia in Indigenous Goats in Yunnan Province, China
title_full <i>EPAS1</i> Variations and Hematological Adaptations to High-Altitude Hypoxia in Indigenous Goats in Yunnan Province, China
title_fullStr <i>EPAS1</i> Variations and Hematological Adaptations to High-Altitude Hypoxia in Indigenous Goats in Yunnan Province, China
title_full_unstemmed <i>EPAS1</i> Variations and Hematological Adaptations to High-Altitude Hypoxia in Indigenous Goats in Yunnan Province, China
title_short <i>EPAS1</i> Variations and Hematological Adaptations to High-Altitude Hypoxia in Indigenous Goats in Yunnan Province, China
title_sort i epas1 i variations and hematological adaptations to high altitude hypoxia in indigenous goats in yunnan province china
topic Tibetan goat
<i>EPAS1</i> gene
genetic polymorphism
hematological traits
hypoxia adaptation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/5/695
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