ArticleBMC genomics2026
Genetic analysis of cold tolerance and high-altitude adaptation in Gannan indigenous Tibetan sheep through genome-wide scans.
Article in BMC genomics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundUnderstanding the genetic basis of adaptation to extreme environments is crucial in evolutionary biology. Gannan Tibetan sheep, which thrive in high altitudes with thin air and cold climates, demonstrate remarkable resilience. However, the genetic basis of their adaptations remains poorly understood. In this study, we conducted whole-genome resequencing of three indigenous Tibetan sheep breeds, including Ganjia (n = 12), Oula (n = 12), Kecai (n = 12), from the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (average altitude of 3,500 m) in China. By integrating our data with previously published genomic data of sheep from northern China (Altitude below 1,500 m), we examined the genetic population structure, ancestry components, and signatures of positive selection.
resultsOur analyses, including principal component analysis, neighbor-joining tree construction, and ADMIXTURE, revealed that the three indigenous Tibetan sheep breeds share a common ancestry with other Tibetan sheep breeds, yet exhibit distinct population differentiation. Moreover, all three breeds display high genetic diversity, which enhances their adaptation to harsh local environments. Through selective sweep analysis, we identified genes associated with cold tolerance and high-altitude adaptation. These genes are involved in mitochondrial function and oxidative stress (LONP1, NDUFA11, NDUFB4 and HSD11B1L), cardiorespiratory and vascular function (FECH, TNFAIP3), and fat metabolism and thermogenesis (ACSL6, PDGFD, CES3, MTCH2, TMEM8B, SPAG8, ETAA1, ZIC1, ATG5, and HAO2). Additionally, we identified candidate regions containing genes related to immunity and physical traits.
conclusionThis study provides a comprehensive overview of the genomic variations, ancestry compositions, and selective signals linked to high-altitude traits in Gannan indigenous Tibetan sheep. Our findings offer valuable insights into the breeding and management of Tibetan sheep.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.