Genetic diversity and structure in Bos taurus and Bos indicus populations analyzed by SNP markers

The purpose of this study was to assess genetic diversity, phylogenetic relationship and population structure among nine Eurasian cattle populations using 58 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. The calculated distribution of minor allele frequencies and heterozygosities suggested that the genetic diversity of Bos indicus populations was lower than that of Bos taurus populations. Phylogenetic analyses revealed the main divergence between the Bos taurus and Bos indicus populations, and subsequently between Asian and European populations. By principal components analysis, the Bos taurus and Bos indicus populations were clearly distinguished with PC1 (61.1%); however, six Bos taurus populations clustered loosely and the partial separation between European and Asian groups was observed by PC2 (12.5%). The structure analysis was performed using the STRUCTURE program. Distinct separation between Bos taurus and Bos indicus was shown at K = 2, and that between European and Asian populations at K = 3. At K = 4, 5 and 6, Mongolian population showed an admixture pattern with different ancestry of Asian and European cattle. At K = 7, all Bos taurus populations showed each cluster with little proportion of admixture. In conclusion, 58 SNP markers in this study could sufficiently estimate the genetic diversity, relationship and structure for nine Eurasian cattle populations, especially by analyses of principal components and STRUCTURE.     

BREED DIFFERENCES IN THE RESPONSE OF YOUNG BEEF BULLS TO ELECTRO-EJACULATION

SUMMARY A total of 702 electro-ejaculation attempts are recorded on young (16 to 31 months) beef bulls of 3 breeds and 3 breed crosses (Brahman cross 100, Africander cross 93, Shorthorn cross 109, Brahman 81, Africander 89, and Hereford 230. Four hundred and forty of these attempts were conducted on bulls of the first 5 of these breeds which had been reared under similar conditions on the same property. The machine employed was a Watson Transtimulator, powered by a 12-volt automobile battery, and connected to a 6.25 cm diameter bipolar ring electrode probe, 37.5 cm in length. The voltages at which the sperm free (sample A) and sperm rich (sample B) samples were initiated were 4.8 ± .2 and 7.7 ± .2 volts respectively. No breed differences occurred. Breed differences occurred in the proportion of bulls showing a severe reaction to the electricity (P < 0.001) with the Africander (32.6% P < 0.001) and Ax (28.0% P < 0.01) having the highest proportions of severe reactions. These 2 breed groups also had the highest proportions of electro-ejaculation failures (respectively, 23.6% P < 0.05 and 19.4% n.s.). Overall, bulls of Bos indicus derivation did not differ from those of Bos taurus derivation in electro-ejaculation failures. During stimulation, erection was achieved by 19.8% of bulls and failure to collect an assessable ejaculate occurred in 15%. No breed differences occurred in either category. Collapse during stimulation occurred in 5.3% of electro-ejaculation attempts (overall P < 0.05) with the SH breed group having highest representation (12.8% P < 0.001).     

Plasma Antimullerian Hormone as a Predictor of Ovarian Antral Follicular Population in Bos indicus (Nelore) and Bos taurus (Holstein) Heifers

In Bos taurus cattle, antimullerian hormone (AMH) has been demonstrated to have a high degree of correlation with ovarian antral follicle count and the number of healthy follicles and oocytes. To document the correlation between the plasma concentration of AMH and follicular number in Bos indicus and Bos taurus heifers, Nelore (Bos indicus, n = 16) and Holstein heifers (Bos taurus, n = 16) had their ovarian follicular waves synchronized. After synchronization, ovarian antral follicular population (AFP) was evaluated three times at 60‐day (d) intervals (T‐120 d, 120 days before plasma AMH determination; T‐60 d, 60 days before; and T0, at the time of plasma AMH determination). The plasma AMH concentration was positively correlated with the number of ovarian follicles on the day of the follicular wave emergence in Bos indicus (Nelore) and Bos taurus (Holstein) heifers at each evaluation time (p < 0.05). The AFP was higher in Bos indicus (Nelore) than in Bos taurus (Holstein) heifers (p < 0.05). Similarly, the AMH concentration was higher in Bos indicus (Nelore) than in Bos taurus (Holstein) heifers (p < 0.0001). When heifers were classified as to present high or low AFP according to the mean of the AFP within each genetic group, high‐AFP heifers presented a greater (p < 0.0001) AMH concentration than low‐AFP heifers, regardless of the genetic group. In conclusion, the AFP is positively correlated with plasma AMH concentration in both Bos indicus (Nelore) and Bos taurus (Holstein) heifers. Furthermore, Bos indicus (Nelore) heifers presented both greater plasma AMH concentrations and AFP than Bos taurus (Holstein) heifers.     

Breeding distribution and maternal genetic lineages in Lulu,a dwarf cattle population in Nepal

Lulu is a dwarf cattle population bred in the Mustang district of western and central Nepal. This area is located around the habitat boundary between Bos taurus and Bos indicus. The peculiarities of Lulu are their small size (weight range in the adult female: 68–153 kg) and rearing in high mountain areas at 2800 m to 4000 m in altitude. There were 5770 head of Lulu cattle in the Mustang district in 1998, 4333 females and 1437 males. The morphological appearance of Lulu is Bos taurus. However, one of the five Lulu studied in Kagbeni, Mustang had a Bos indicus mitochondrial DNA type based on the D‐loop sequence, while the other four were Bos taurus. It is suggested that there are hybrids of Lulu with Bos indicus maternal lineage in a mostly taurine‐breed genetic background. Steps must be taken to preserve the unique Lulu.     

The Survival,Growth and Carcase Characteristics of Crossbred Beef Cattle in Tanzania

Sires of seven Bos taurus beef breeds were mated with Bos indicus Boran cows at two sites, one near sea level and the other at about 1000 m altitude, and over three years. Purebred Boran calves provided controls for comparisons between sire breeds for growth to 4 years of age, mortality and carcase characteristics in a range environment where all the animals were kept under a similar management regime. Numerous sire breed×site, sire breed×year of birth and site×year of birth interactions were established. Mortality was high, but there was no significant sire breed effect, although purebred Borans had a higher survival than crossbred calves. There was no significant difference between genotypes in birth weight. Generally, Bos taurus cross steers achieved greater live weight gains and heavier carcase weights at 4 years of age than did purebred Borans. Limousin-cross steers had significantly (p<0.05) less fat in the tenth rib sample joint than any of the other genotypes. A productivity index that combined calf survival and carcase weight indicated that the Chianina crosses were more productive than any other genotype at either site. Purebred Borans were more productive than all the Bos taurus crossbreds with the exception of the Chianina crosses at site 1, but were only superior to the Limousin crosses at site 2, which was at the higher altitude. When lean meat yield was introduced into the productivity index, the Boran purebreds were the least productive at site 2.     

Communications: Agglutination of Salmonid Spermatozoa by Renibacterium salmoninarum

Abstract

Renibacterium salmoninarum (American Type Culture Collection: ATCC 33209) agglutinated spermatozoa of brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis, rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, chinook salmon O. tshawytscha, white sucker Catostomus commersoni, and goldfish Carassius auratus, but not that of walleye Stizostedion vitreum or bulls Bos taurus. When examined microscopically, the bacteria were seen to be binding to the tails but not the heads of the sperm. The sperm agglutinin may be the previously reported renibacterial hemagglutinin.     

Fine mapping of a calving QTL on Bos taurus autosome 18 in Holstein cattle

Decreased calving performance not only directly impacts the economic efficiency of dairy cattle farming but also influences public concern for animal welfare. Previous studies have revealed a QTL on Bos taurus autosome (BTA) 18 that has a large effect on calving traits in Holstein cattle. In this study, fine mapping of this QTL was performed using imputed high‐density SNP chip (HD) genotypes followed by imputed next‐generation sequencing (NGS) variants. BTA18 was scanned for seven direct calving traits in 6113 bulls with imputed HD genotypes. SNP rs136283363 (BTA18: 57 548 213) was consistently the most significantly associated SNP across all seven traits [e.g. p‐value = 2.04 × 10^?59 for birth index (BI)]. To finely map the QTL region and to explore pleiotropic effects, we studied NGS variants within the targeted region (BTA18: 57 321 450–57 625 355) for associations with direct calving traits and with three conformation traits. Significant variants were prioritized, and their biological relevance to the traits was interpreted. Considering their functional relationships with direct calving traits, SIGLEC12, CD33 and CEACAM18 were proposed as candidate genes. In addition, pleiotropic effects of this QTL region on direct calving traits and conformation traits were observed. However, the extent of linkage disequilibrium combined with the lack of complete annotation and potential errors in the Bos taurus genome assembly hampered our efforts to pinpoint the causal mutation.     

Kazakhstani native cattle reveal highly divergent mtDNA from Bos taurus and Bos indicus lineages with an absence of Bos indicus Y chromosome

Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country and contains two important propagation routes for livestock from the Fertile Crescent to Asia. Therefore, genetic information about Kazakhstani cattle can be important for understanding the propagation history and the genetic admixture in Central Asian cattle. In the present study, we analyzed the complete mtDNA D‐loop sequence and SRY gene polymorphism in 122 Kazakhstani native cattle. The D‐loop sequences revealed 79 mitochondrial haplotypes, with the major haplogroups T and I. The Bos taurus subhaplogroups consisted of T (3.3%), T1 (2.5%), T2 (2.5%), and T4 (0.8%) in addition to the predominant subhaplogroup T3 (86.9%), and the Bos indicus subhaplogroup of I1 (4.1%). Subsequently, we investigated the paternal lineages of Bos taurus and Bos indicus, however, all Kazakhstani cattle were shown to have Y chromosome of Bos taurus origin. While highly divergent mtDNA subhaplogroups in Kazakhstani cattle could be due to the geographical proximity of Kazakhstan with the domestication center of the Fertile Crescent, the absence of Bos indicus Y chromosomes could be explained by a decoupling of the introgression dynamics of maternal and paternal lineages. This genetic information would contribute to understanding the genetic diversity and propagation history of cattle in Central Asia.     

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.     

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.     

Comparison of Antral and Preantral Ovarian Follicle Populations Between Bos indicus and Bos indicus‐taurus Cows with High or Low Antral Follicles Counts

The objective was to compare populations of antral and pre‐antral ovarian follicles in Bos indicus and Bos indicus‐taurus cows with high and low antral follicle counts. Nelore (Bos indicus, n = 20) and Nelore X Angus (1/2 Bos indicus‐taurus, n = 20) cows were subjected to follicular aspiration without regard to the stage of their oestrous cycle (day of aspiration = D0) to remove all follicles ≥3 mm and induce growth of a new follicular wave. Ovaries were examined by ultrasonography on D4, D19, D34, D49 and D64, and antral follicles ≥3 mm were counted. Thereafter, cows were assigned to one of two groups: high or low antral follicular count (AFC, ≥30 and ≤15 antral follicles, respectively). After D64, ovaries were collected after slaughter and processed for histological evaluation. There was high repeatability in the numbers of antral follicles for all groups (range 0.77–0.96). The mean (±SD) numbers of antral follicles were 35 ± 9 (Bos indicus) and 38 ± 6 (Bos indicus‐taurus) for the high AFC group and 10 ± 3 (Bos indicus) and 12 ± 2 (Bos indicus‐taurus) follicles for the low AFC. The mean number of preantral follicles in the ovaries of Bos indicus‐taurus cows with high AFC (116 226 ± 83 156 follicles) was greater (p < 0.05) than that of Bos indicus cows (63 032 ± 58 705 follicles) with high AFC. However, there was no significant correlation between numbers of antral and preantral follicles.     

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.     

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.     

Influence of season of birth on weight for age in two genetic groups of cattle

Summary Body weights from birth to 756 days of age for calves of Mpwapwa cattle (12%Bos taurus inheritance) and backcrosses (34%Bos taurus) born in the wet or the dry season were analysed. The calves were weaned at 75 days of age and after that fed entirely on pasture. Backcrosses were heavier than Mpwapwa at birth and at 252 days of age but not at subsequent ages. Calves born in the dry season had slightly larger birth weights than calves born in the wet season. Weight differences were reversed from 252 to 504 days reflecting the seasonal fluctuations in grass growth. The effect of season of birth on long term rate of gain was negligible. No significant interaction between genetic group (Mpwapwavs backcrosses) and season of birth (wetvs dry) was observed at any of the ages. The study thus did not confirm the hypothesis that backcrosses because of their higher proportion ofBos taurus genes were more sensitive to the nutritional stress of the dry season than were pure Mpwapwa calves.

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Resumem Se analizaron los pesos corporales desde el naciminento hasta los 756 días, de terneros Mpwapwa (12% de herencia deBos taurus) y retrocruces (34%Bos taurus) en la estación lluviosa y seca. Los terneros se destetaron a los 75 días de edad, manteniendose con pasto únicamente de ahí en adelante. Los retrocruces pesaron más al nacer y a los 252 días de edad, pero nó en adelante. Los terneros nacidos en la estación seca, pesaron un poco más que los nacidos en la lluviosa. Las diferencias de peso fueron contrárias, de los 252 a los 504 días, reflejando las fluctuaciones estacionales en el crecimiento de pasto. La influencia estacional al nacer, sobre la tasa de ganancia de peso a largo tiempo, no fue importante. No se observó una interacción significativa, entre grupos généticos (Mpwapwavs retrocruces) y la influencia de la estación al nacer (lluviosavs. seca) en ninguna de las edades. Este estudio, no confirmó la hipótesis que los retrocruces, debido a la más alta proporción de genesBos taurus, eran más sensitivos al estrés nutricional durante la estación seca, que los puros Mpwapwa.

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Résumé On a analysé les poids corporels de la naissance au 756 ème jour de veaux Mpwapwa (12% de sangBos taurus) et de croisements de retours (34%Bos taurus) nés en saison de pluies ou en saison sèche. Les veaux ont été sevrés à l’age de 75 jours puis nourris intégralement au paturage. Les croisés sont plus lourds que les Mpwapwa à la naissance et au 252 ème jour, mais non à un age plus avancé. Les veaux nés en saison séche ont des poids à la naissance lég rement plus élevés que ceux nés en saison des pluies. Les différences de poids sont inversées du 252 ème au 504 ème jour, reflètant les fluctuations saisonnières de la croissance de l’herbe. L’effet de la saison de naissance sur le gain de poids à long terme est négligeable. On n’a observé aucune interaction significative entre les groupes génétiques (Mpwapwavs croisés) ou la saison de naissance (pluies,vs saison sèche). L’étude ne confirme donc pas l’hypothèse que les croisés, par suite de leur proportion supérieure de gènesBos taurus sont plus sensibles au stress nutritionel de la saison sèche que le sont les veaux Mpwapwa purs.

     

Assessment of calpain and caspase systems activities during ageing of two bovine muscles by degradation patterns of αII spectrin and PARP‐1

The activities of calpain and caspase systems during ageing in Longissimus lumborum (LL) and Infraspinatus (IS) muscles of Italian Simmental young bulls (Bos taurus) were assessed. Samples from 10 animals were collected within 20 min of exsanguination (T0), after 48 h (T1) and 7 days (T2) post mortem. Calpain and caspase activity were evaluated based on the formation of αII spectrin cleavage products of 145 kDa (SBDP145) and 120 kDa (SBDP120), respectively. Caspase activity was also assessed by the presence of poly (adenosine diphosphate‐ribose) polymerase‐1 (PARP‐1) cleavage product. At T0, LL showed higher levels of SBDP145 than IS (P < 0.01), while SBDP120 and PARP‐1 degradation products were similar between muscles. At T1, no difference was found in the level of SBDP145 between muscles, while SBDP120 and PARP‐1 cleavage products were not detected. At T2 neither αII spectrin nor PARP‐1 cleavage products were found. LL and IS showed different proteolysis after slaughter that was influenced more by calpain than caspase activity, which was detectable only in the early post mortem period.     

Exposure of Ankole and crossbred cattle to theileriosis in Rwanda

Summary Susceptible Ankole (Sanga:Bos indicus/Bos taurus) and crossbred Ankole x Jersey (B. taurus) and Ankole x Sahiwal (B. indicus) cattle derived from a farm in Rwanda with no recent history of theileriosis, were infected withTheileria parva stocks from Rwanda either by feeding infectedRhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks on the ears, inoculation of tick derived stabilate or natural exposure to tick challenge. The Ankole cattle originated from local stock born and bred in East Coast fever (ECF) endemic areas of Rwanda. Disease, followed by spontaneous recovery, was observed in 49 of the 72 Ankole cattle after infection withT. parva (68%); the other 23 animals (32%) died of ECF. In contrast 21 of the 33 infected crossbred cattle (64%) died of ECF. It is concluded that the partialTheileria tolerance of the Ankole is, to a great extent, genetic. The basis of this partial tolerance seems to be their ability to limit the explosive multiplication of macroschizonts during the acute phase of the disease.

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Resumen Se infectó ganado Ankole susceptible (Sanga:Bos indicus/Bos taurus) y ganado cruzado Ankole x Jersey (Bos taurus) y Ankole x Sahiwal (Bos indicus) proveniente de una finca en Rwanda sin historia reciente de theileriosis, conTheileria parva procedente de Rwanda, mediante la adhesión en la oreja deRhipicephalus appendiculatus infectado, inoculación de estabilados derivados de garrapatas, o exposición natural a la enfermedad a través del vector. El ganado Ankole era originario de un área endémica de theileriosis en Rwanda. Se observó la enfermedad seguida de recuperación, en 49 de 72 animales Ankole infectados conT. parva (68%); los otros 23 animales murieron (32%). En contraste, 21 de los 33 animales cruzados infectados (64%), murieron. Se concluye, que la tolerancia parcial del ganado Ankole es de origen genético. Las bases de ésta tolerancia genética, parece debida a la habilidad para limitar en cierto modo la multiplicación explosiva de macroesquizontes, durante la fase aguda de la enfermedad.

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Résumé On a infecté du bétail sensible, de race Ankolé (Sanga:Bos indicus/Bos taurus) et des croisés Ankolé x Jersey (B. taurus) et Ankolé x Sahiwal (B. indicus), provenant d'une ferme au Rwanda sans cas récents de theilériose, avec des souches deTheileria parva du Rwanda, par l'application de tiques (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus) infectées sur les oreilles, par inoculation de stabilat de tiques infectées ou par l'exposition à un challenge naturel de tiques. La souche d'Ankolé était originaire du cheptel local Rwandais, né et élevé dans les régions où la theilériose est endémique. La maladie suivie par la guérison spontanée fut observée dans 49 des 72 Ankolés (68%), les autres 23 animaux (32%) ont succombé à la theilériose. Par contre 21 des 33 croisées infectées (64%) ont succombé à la theilériose. Nous concluons que la tolérance partielle des Ankolés contre la theilériose, est génétique. La base de cette tolérance semble être leur capacité de limiter la multiplication explosive des macroschizonts pendant la phase aigu de la maladie.

     

Early post mortem expression of genes related to tenderization in two Italian Simmental young bulls' skeletal muscles differing in contractile type

The early post mortem expression of eight genes potentially involved in meat ageing process and the tenderness of two Italian Simmental young bulls' (Bos taurus) skeletal muscles differing in their contractile type were evaluated. Samples of Longissimus lumborum (LL) and Infraspinatus (IS) muscles were collected from 17 bulls. The messenger RNA (mRNA) abundances of calpain‐1, calpain‐2, calpastatin, caspase 3, caspase 9, heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27), Hsp40 and Hsp70 were detected by quantitative PCR. The myosin heavy chain‐slow and ‐fast isoform content, the pH_48h and the lipid content of the muscles were in line with the contractile and metabolic type. In comparison with the fast LL, the slow IS showed a lower calpain‐1/calpastatin mRNA content ratio after slaughtering and a higher Warner‐Bratzler Initial Yield value after 7 days of ageing. Hsp27 and Hsp70 mRNA abundances were significantly lower in LL than IS, highlighting their potential role in the ageing process of bovine muscles.     

Aspects of reproduction in female Bos indicus cattle: a review

SUMMARY Differences occur between female Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle in various aspects of reproductive physiology and behaviour. These may be associated with different natural and human selection pressures, compounded by strong genotype-environment interactions. B indicus cattle are better adapted for tropical environments (despite overall poor cattle reproductive rates in these regions) which tend to be more stressful for B taurus genotypes. Conversely, B taurus cattle generally show superior reproductive and productive traits under more favoured, temperate conditions. Despite genotype-environment effects, B indicus females are generally considered to take longer to achieve puberty and to have longer gestation lengths, exhibit prolonged postpartum anoestrus, show greater seasonality of reproductive traits (tending to be long-day breeders), display a shorter, less overt oestrus as well as less tendency to allow riding behaviour by subordinate females. Some groups appear to have increased losses both during pregnancy and in the neonatal period. On the positive side, B indicus females respond well to managerial and nutritional interventions, tend to have greater reproductive longevity and they generally exhibit strong maternal traits. Culling of infertile females and selection for greater male scrotal circumference and sex-drive, in conjunction with the use of target weights, body condition scoring and weaning stratagems can improve reproductive rates in B indicus females.     

Genetic diversity and origin of Gayal and cattle in Yunnan revealed by mtDNA control region and SRY gene sequence variation

There are hump, humpless cattle and gayal distributed in Yunnan province, south‐west China, but their genetic background remains unclear. To determine the origin and genetic diversity of Yunnan gayal and cattle (Diqing, Nujiang and Wenshan cattle), we analysed mtDNA control region sequences of 71 samples and SRY gene sequences of 39 samples, together with the available sequences in GenBank. The neighbour‐joining phylogeny and the reduced median network analysis showed that Yunnan gayal originated from the hybridization between male Bos frontalis and female Bos taurus or Bos indicus, and that Yunnan cattle mostly originated from B. indicus, also containing some hybrids of male B. indicus and female B. taurus. The phylogenetic pattern of Yunnan cattle was consistent with the recently described cattle matrilineal pool from China and indicated more contribution to the Yunnan cattle from B. indicus than from B. taurus.     

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.