Genetic structure and relationships of 16 Asian and European cattle populations using DigiTag2 assay

In this study, we genotyped 117 autosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms using a DigiTag2 assay to assess the genetic diversity, structure and relationships of 16 Eurasian cattle populations, including nine cattle breeds and seven native cattle. Phylogenetic and principal component analyses showed that Bos taurus and Bos indicus populations were clearly distinguished, whereas Japanese Shorthorn and Japanese Polled clustered with European populations. Furthermore, STRUCTURE analysis demonstrated the distinct separation between Bos taurus and Bos indicus (K=2), and between European and Asian populations (K=3). In addition, Japanese Holstein exhibited an admixture pattern with Asian and European cattle (K=3‐5). Mongolian (K=13‐16) and Japanese Black (K=14‐16) populations exhibited admixture patterns with different ancestries. Bos indicus populations exhibited a uniform genetic structure at K=2‐11, thereby suggesting that there are close genetic relationships among Bos indicus populations. However, the Bhutan and Bangladesh populations formed a cluster distinct from the other Bos indicus populations at K=12‐16. In conclusion, our study could sufficiently explain the genetic construction of Asian cattle populations, including: (i) the close genetic relationships among Bos indicus populations; (ii) the genetic influences of European breeds on Japanese breeds; (iii) the genetic admixture in Japanese Holstein, Mongolian and Japanese Black cattle; and (iv) the genetic subpopulations in Southeast Asia.     

Allele frequencies of gene polymorphisms related to economic traits in Bos taurus and Bos indicus cattle breeds

Allele frequencies of 10 representative polymorphisms for beef and milk traits were investigated for a total of 240 animals from Bos taurus and Bos indicus breeds, including two Japanese groups (Japanese Black and Japanese Brown), two East Asian groups (Korean and Mongolian), three European groups (Holstein, Angus and Hereford) and a Bos indicus group in South Asia (Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia). The Japanese Black revealed unique genetic construction in GH, FASN and SREBP‐1 and the other Asian populations show intermediate frequencies between European and Japanese populations. The Bos indicus group showed low favorable allele frequencies in most of the genes. The study showed the variability and distribution of 10 genes affecting economic traits among world representative cattle breeds. The genetic information would contribute to elucidating the genetic background for worldwide cattle breeds and the possibility of improvement using the markers.     

Detection of chromosome segments of zebu and taurine origin and their effect on beef production and growth

Cattle in breeds formed by recent crossing of Bos taurus (Bt) and Bos indicus (Bi) subspecies should contain chromosomes that are a composite of Bt and Bt segments. Using data from a 50K SNP chip, we were able to identify whether a chromosome segment of 11 SNP in a composite animal descended from a Bt or a Bi ancestor. When the method was tested in purebred Bt or Brahman cattle, about 94% of segments were assigned correctly. About 10% of the genome in Australian Brahman cattle appears to be of Bt origin, as might be expected from their history. We then examined the effect of the origin of each chromosome segment on BW in a population of 515 Bt × Bi composite cattle and found 67 chromosome segments with a significant (P<0.01) effect. We confirmed these effects by examining these 67 segments in a population of Brahman cattle and in a population of mixed breeds including composite breeds such as Santa Gertrudis and Brahman cattle. About 66% of the 67 segments had an effect in the same direction in the confirmation analyses as in the discovery population. However, the effect on BW and other traits of chromosome segment origin is small, indicating that we had low power to detect these effects with the number of animals available. Consequently, when chromosome segment origin was used in genomic selection to predict BW, the accuracy was low (0.08). Chromosome segments that had a positive effect on BW tend to be at greater frequency in composite breeds than chromosome segments with a negative effect on BW.     

中国黄牛Y-STRs遗传多样性与起源研究

[目的]研究中国黄牛Y染色体STRs的遗传多样性及父系起源。[方法]利用非变性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳,选择2个牛Y-STRs位点INRA189和BM861,分析16个中国地方黄牛品种284头公牛与4头缅甸黄牛公牛的Y染色体遗传多样性。[结果]在中国16个黄牛品种中,2个Y-STR位点可以区分中国黄牛中的普通牛和瘤牛类型,表明中国黄牛有普通牛和瘤牛两种父系起源。4头缅甸黄牛均为瘤牛类型。在中国16个黄牛品种中,普通牛和瘤牛分布频率分别为57.0%和43.0%,其中普通牛频率在北方黄牛中占优势(98.3%),瘤牛频率在南方黄牛中占优势(76.1%),中原黄牛中普通牛频率较高为63.8%,瘤牛频率为36.2%。[结论]中国黄牛存在普通牛和瘤牛两种父系起源;普通牛频率自北向南逐渐减少,瘤牛频率自北向南逐渐增加,中原地区为普通牛和瘤牛的交汇处。     

A STUDY OF THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF ANAPLASMA MARGINALE INFECTIONS OF CATTLE IN SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND: CLINICAL DISEASE AND THE PREVALENCE OF COMPLEMENT FIXING ANTIBODIES

SUMMARY A total of 386 clinical outbreaks of anaplasmosis were confirmed in Queensland south of the 22nd parallel over the period 1967 to 1976. Seventy-eight per cent of these outbreaks occurred during autumn and winter and only 6.8% involved cattle less than 1 year of age compared with 54.8% for cattle more than 3 years old. Dairy breeds were involved in 48.1% of 258 outbreaks compared with 51.9% for beef breeds. Bos taurus beef breeds were involved in 90.7% of 118 outbreaks compared with 9.3% for Bos indicus crossbreds. Approximately 3 times as much clinical disease per head of population was confirmed in tick (Boophilus microplus) infested southern Queensland south of the 25th parallel (south zone) than in areas between the 25th and 22nd parallel (north zone). A survey was conducted during 1975 in which 3,810 cattle from 241 herds were sampled on the basis of the distribution of the cattle population. The prevalence of CF reactors in tick-infested areas was 42.1% of 3,026 samples compared with 0.4% of 784 samples from tick-free areas. The prevalence in the north zone was 52.3% compared to 30.2% for the south zone and it also varied with the type of animal sampled. The prevalence in Bos taurus cattle was significantly greater than in Bos indicus types and it increased with age of the animal. No significant difference in susceptibility to infection attributable to sex could be demonstrated. Animals exposed to heavy to medium tick infestations had significantly more CF reactors than those exposed to light infestation. Higher stocking densities were associated with higher prevalence levels. Thus anaplasmosis is predominantly a disease of autumn and winter and of cattle greater than 1 year of age. Both clinical and subclinical infection occur only in tick-infested areas and B. microplus is considered to be the main, if not the only vector. Both clinical and inapparent infection are more frequent in Bos taurus than in Bos indicus types.     

Prospects for increasing the utilization of cattle embryo transfer by small-scale milk and meat producers in tropical regions

Small community cattle farmers in the tropics are facing challenges to deliver quality products whilst under pressure to increase milk and beef yields per cow. These challenges could be partially met by crossbreeding Bos taurus with Bos indicus (F1) cattle utilizing embryo transfer (ET) technology. The Bos taurus infusion would increase milk production, whilst the Bos indicus influence can improve resistance to the harsh environment of the tropics. Here, individuals from existing herds can be used to produce F1 embryos which benefit from hybrid vigour. Resultant female offspring would in turn receive an F1 embryo on reaching breeding maturity. This approach would help to provide a cost-effective, systematic approach to improve productivity in dairy and beef cattle in the tropics. However, full usage of ET, including in vitro applications, in the tropics will require improvements in procedures, resources and education.     

Polymorphisms in the bovine HSP90AB1 gene are associated with heat tolerance in Thai indigenous cattle

Heat shock proteins act as molecular chaperones that have preferentially been transcribed in response to severe perturbations of the cellular homeostasis such as heat stress. Here the traits respiration rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), pack cell volume (PCV) and the individual heat tolerance coefficient (HTC) were recorded as physiological responses on heat stress (environmental temperatures) in Bos taurus (crossbred Holstein Friesian; HF) and B. indicus (Thai native cattle: White Lamphun; WL and Mountain cattle; MT) animals (n = 47) in Thailand. Polymorphisms of the heat shock protein 90-kDa beta gene (HSP90AB1) were evaluated by comparative sequencing. Nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were identified, i.e. three in exons 10 and 11, five in introns 8, 9, 10 and 11, and one in the 3′UTR. The exon 11 SNP g.5082C>T led to a missense mutation (alanine to valine). During the period of extreme heat (in the afternoon) RR and RT were elevated in each of the three breeds, whereas the PCV decreased. Mountain cattle and White Lamphun heifers recorded significantly better physiologic parameters (p < 0.05) in all traits considered, including or particularly HTC than Holstein Friesian heifers. The association analysis revealed that the T allele at SNP g.4338T>C within intron 3 improved the heat tolerance (p < 0.05). Allele T was exclusively found in White Lamphun animals and to 84% in Mountain cattle. Holstein Friesian heifers revealed an allele frequency of only 18%. Polymorphisms within HSP90AB1 were not causative for the physiological responses; however, we propose that they should at least be used as genetic markers to select appropriate breeds for hot climates.     

四川黄牛品种线粒体DNA 遗传多样性研究

测定了四川黄牛5个品种的线粒体细胞色素b部分片段（420bp）42个个体以及28个个体线粒体DNA控制区（D-loop）的全序列，结合已报道的中国8个黄牛品种22个个体的线粒体DNA控制区（D-loop）全序列，分析结果表明：四川黄牛的部分Cytb基因片段有5个变异位点，7种单倍型可分为以2个单倍型为主的2大类型；线粒体DNA控制区检测到64个变异位点，28种单倍型，单倍型H1～H23为普通黄牛类型，单倍型H24～H28为瘤牛类型的单倍型。在四川黄牛中，67．86％为普通牛类型，32．14％为瘤牛类型。研究结果表明四川黄牛主要有2类母系来源。     

湘西黄牛Y-SNPs遗传多样性研究

[目的]通过Y-SNP分子标记方法研究湘西黄牛的遗传多样性、群体遗传结构及父系起源。[方法]采用PCR扩增、测序与生物信息学方法,对24头湘西黄牛的2个Y-SNPs(UTY-19和ZFY-10)标记进行多态性分析。[结果]结果表明,湘西黄牛有Y1和Y3两种单倍型组,频率分别为12.5%和87.5%,表明湘西黄牛可能有普通牛和瘤牛2个父系起源。湘西黄牛的Y-SNP遗传多样度为0.2283±0.0978,表明湘西黄牛具有较低的父系遗传多样性,品种纯度较高。[结论]湘西黄牛的父系起源为瘤牛Y3单倍型组,其Y1单倍型组为国外肉牛杂交所致。     

Whole genome analyses revealed genomic difference between European taurine and East Asian taurine

European taurine and East Asian taurine are two main clades in Bos taurus, but their genomic differences are not clearly elucidated. Here, we sequenced 16 Mongolian cattle genomes and compared them to the 92 genomes of 10 representative breeds worldwide. We found the highest LD level in Mishima cattle and the fastest LD decay in European taurine. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Mongolian, Hanwoo and Mishima cattle were clustered into East Asian taurine. From selective sweep, gene annotation, functional enrichment and differential expression analysis, we identified selective signals including genes and/or pathways related to rapid growth and large body size in European taurine, and superior meat quality in East Asian taurine. Our findings will help us understand the evolutionary history and formation process of the breeds and provide theoretical materials regarding the genetic mechanism underlying breed characteristics and molecular breeding programmes of the taurine clades in the future.     

Bos taurus Y chromosome of Africander cattle and the development of improved breeds for the tropics.

The Africander has anatomical and other characteristics of an animal of approximately 3/4 Bos indicus heredity. The fact that these cattle carry the Bos taurus Y chromosome supports this view and indicates that the local cattle in South Africa would have been crossed with one or more Bos taurus bulls. Droughtmaster and Braford cattle retain the Bos indicus Y chromosome because Bos indicus instead of Bos taurus bulls were used to establish these taurindicus breeds. Contrary to some assumptions, an approximate tenfold increase in productivity of cattle was made during the 18th and 19th centuries due to improvements in disease control, nutrition and genetic improvement. What is now needed is the development of taurindicus breeds combining to the maximum possible extent the disease resistance and hardiness of Bos indicus with the early maturity and productivity of Bos taurus cattle. In addition, the ravages of disease and the seasonal variations of food supply need to be overcome in tropical areas.     

Cattle deaths during sea transport from Australia

OBJECTIVE: To establish the death rate and the causes of death in cattle exported by sea from Australia. PROCEDURE: Cattle deaths on voyages from Australia to all destinations between 1995 and 2000 were analysed retrospectively. On four voyages to the Middle East between December 1998 and April 2001, cattle that died were examined to determine the cause of death. RESULTS: The death rate was 0.24% among 4 million cattle exported, and a greater proportion of deaths occurred on voyages to the Middle East (0.52%, P < 0.05) than to south east Asia (0.13%). The risk of death on voyages to the Middle East was three times greater for cattle exported from southern ports in Australia compared to northern ports. The main causes of death were heat stroke, trauma and respiratory disease. CONCLUSION: Cattle have a low risk of death during sea transport from Australia. The risk of death can be reduced on voyages to the Middle East by preferentially exporting cattle from northern ports, and selecting those with a higher Bos indicus content whenever possible.     

Mitochondrial DNA analysis of Nepalese domestic dwarf cattle Lulu*

Dwarf Lulu cattle, the only Bos Taurus type of cattle in Nepal, are raised under severe environments in the mountainous zone of that country. In the present study, the body measurement traits, cytogenetic and molecular genetic characteristics of the Lulu cattle are investigated. Blood samples were collected from 31 animals in four villages (altitudes 2590–3550 m) in the southern part of Mustang. The Lulu cattle had a normal karyotype with 2n = 60, XY or XX. Only one male examined had a large submetacentric X‐chromosome and a small submetacentric taurine type Y‐chromosome. The mitochodrial DNA (mtDNA) genotypes were analyzed by PCR mediated restriction fragment length polymorphisms, displacement (D)‐loop region PCR mediated single strand conformation polymorphisms, and D‐loop region sequences. Many base substitutions were found in the D‐loop region, suggesting that the Lulu cattle originated from at least 10 maternal lines. Three types of mtDNA from these cattle were found, the Bos taurus type (n = 23), the Bos indicus type (n = 6), and the Bos grunniens type (n = 2). In the village at the lowest altitude, four of the five cows were of the Bos indicus type. These results indicated that mtDNA types of the Lulu cattle mostly belong to Bos taurus, but have been hybridized with Bos indicus cattle in lower‐elevation regions in their maternal lineage.     

德国黄牛、利木赞牛杂交组合对比试验报告

以德国黄牛、利木赞牛为父本,以临夏县当地西门塔尔高代杂种牛、秦川牛为母本,在农户全舍饲条件下,分四组进行组合杂交试验,结果表明,从初生到12月龄试验牛的体重和体高、胸围、体斜长平均数表现出德西组>德秦组>利西组>利秦组,德国黄牛杂交改良效果好于利木赞牛,西门塔尔高代杂种牛的肉用性能显著高于秦川牛。     

中国黄牛Y-SNPs遗传多样性与起源研究

为了研究中国黄牛Y染色体SNPs的遗传多样性及父系起源,本研究利用PCR-SSCP与测序方法,选择4个牛Y-SNPs位点DDX3Y-7、UTY-19、ZFY-9和ZFY-10,分析了16个中国地方黄牛品种284头公牛与缅甸黄牛4头公牛Y染色体的遗传多样性.结果表明,在中国16个黄牛品种中,仅发现普通牛Y2和瘤牛Y3单倍型,表明只有Y2和Y3两种父系起源,尚未发现中国黄牛存在普通牛Y1单倍型的分子证据.4头缅甸黄牛均为Y3单倍型.在中国16个黄牛品种中,Y2和Y3单倍型频率分别为57.0％和43.0％,其中Y2单倍型频率在北方黄牛中占优势(98.3％),Y3单倍型频率在南方黄牛中占优势(76.1％),中原黄牛中普通牛Y2的单倍型频率较高,为63.8％0,瘤牛Y3的单倍型频率为36.2％.本研究证明,中国黄牛存在普通牛Y2和瘤牛Y3单倍型两种父系起源,Y2单倍型频率自北向南逐渐减少,Y3单倍型频率自北向南逐渐增加,中原地区为普通牛Y2和瘤牛Y3单倍型的交汇处.     

Comparison of heat tolerance of feedlot heifers of different breeds

Heat stress in cattle causes decreases in feed intake and feed efficiency; in extreme cases, it can cause death. These losses amount to millions of dollars each year. A study was designed to determine severity of heat stress among four breeds of cattle. Throughout two summers, 256 feedlot heifers of four different breeds were observed. Respiration rates, panting scores, and surface temperatures were taken twice each day on 10 animals/breed for several weeks during the summers of 2002 and 2003. Twenty-four-hour behavior measurements were recorded for four heat-stress and four thermoneutral days. Results showed during the afternoon, Angus cattle (black) had the highest respiration rates, panting scores, and surface temperatures, followed by the MARC III (dark red), Gelbvieh (tan), and Charolais (white). Behavior data showed that heat stress increased drinking and standing behavior, and decreased eating, lying, and agonistic behaviors, and that dark-hided cattle adjusted their behavior more than light-hided cattle. Overall, it was found that breed of cattle with dark-hides were more affected by temperature changes and at peak temperatures than breeds of cattle with light-hides.     

C- AND G- BANDING PATTERNS AND CHROMOSOMAL MORPHOLOGY OF SOME BREEDS OF AUSTRALIAN CATTLE

A cytogenetical study using metaphase chromosomes from cultured lymphocytes, was made of 2 Banteng (Bibos banteng) steers and 218 bulls representing 13 purebreeds (Bos taurus type, Bos indicus type and Sanga) and 7 cross-breeds. Studies were made of photographic karyotypes of Giemsa stained and C-banded chromosomes of bulls of each breed and of B-banded chromosomes from 3 breeds of Bos indicus and one cross-breed Australian Friesian Sahiwal) cattle. The relative lengths of chromosomes of Bos taurus and Bos indicus bulls were compared and significant difference in relative lengths of the X chromosomes were noted between these two species. There was a differences in morphology of the Y chromosomes; Sanga, Banteng and Bos taurus type breeds had a small submetacentric Y chromosome, except for the Jersey which had a metacentric Y chromosome. All Bos indicus type bulls had an acrocentric Y chromosome but the Droughtmaster breed had two forms of the Y chromosome (submetacentric and acrocentric). The C-banding patterns of the autosomes and X chromosomes were similar for all breeds while those of the Y chromosomes of Bos indicus type cattle allowed their accurate identification. G-banding patterns of Bos indicus resembled those of Bos taurus and enabled pairing of homologous chromosomes. Centromeres of the autosomes were unstained but those of the sex chromosomes were darkly stained.     

Susceptibility of Bos indicus and Bos taurus to Anaplasma marginale and Babesia bigemina infections

The reaction of Bos taurus and pure-bred Bos indicus heifers to infection with the intraerythrocytic parasites Anaplasma marginale and Babesia bigemina was studied. B. bigemina infection at 18 months and A. marginale infection at 13 or 24 months resulted in slightly less severe reactions in pure-bred Bos indicus cattle than in Bos taurus. In both breeds, the reaction to A. marginale infection was more severe in older cattle. The severity of B. bigemina infection was not affected by a previous infection with A. marginale.     

8个牛品种的大理石花纹评分相关基因变异的微卫星DNA池分析

本研究以8个牛品种为研究对象,利用与大理石花纹评分基因相关的7个微卫星位点结合DNA池分析技术,探讨微卫星DNA多态性与8个牛品种大理石花纹评分间的关系,并根据性状同质性原理预测品种组合,以加快生产出高端"雪花"牛肉。结果表明:日本和牛与荷斯坦牛、安格斯牛、渤海黑牛的相似性系数均超过0.8,而日本和牛与其他牛品种的的相似性系数均小于0.8。利用MEGA4软件采用邻接法进行聚类,利木赞牛与西门塔尔牛先聚合在一起,再与草原红牛聚合;渤海黑牛与鲁西黄牛2个地方良种聚合在一起,以上5个品种聚为第1大类。荷斯坦牛与日本和牛聚合,再与安格斯牛聚在一起,它们聚为第2大类。根据本研究结果和国外肉牛杂交生产实践,从牛肉大理石花纹性状的同质性出发,建议利用日本和牛、荷斯坦牛为亲本,杂交生产高档"雪花"牛肉,以解决我国的肉牛牛源短缺问题。     

History and economic importance of cattle (Bos taurus L.) in Switzerland from Neolithic to Early Middle Ages

In Switzerland domestic cattle (Bos primigenius f. taurus resp. Bos taurus L.) first appear with the earliest Neolithic settlements (approximately 5000 BC). With the gradual deforestation of the landscape caused by human exploitation of the environment, cattle were used more intensive and in many ways. There is evidence that cattle were used as draught animal since ca. 3400 BC, probably even earlier milk was regularly used. The size of domestic cattle gradually decreased from Early Neolithic until Iron Age. Only with Roman influence larger animals are found. However, after the withdrawal of Romans the average size of cattle decreased again. Archaeogenetic studies will have to show, whether this is due to novel breeding strategies or the import of breeding stock. First genetic results showed that a female genetic type, which is rare in European breeds, is present in Swiss Evolène cattle and in one animal of Roman time cattle from Augusta Raurica. Is this a sign for influence of Roman cattle on today's Swiss breeds?