Mithun cross siri hybrids: cyto- and immunogenetic examinations and characterisation of abnormal spermatogenesis

Cytogenetic studies of the mithun (Bos frontalis), the siri (Bos indicus) and their hybrids, as well as histological examinations of testes and epididymis of siri and hybrids were undertaken to throw further light on male hybrid infertility and interspecies incompatibility, in order to facilitate the possible development of a stable interspecies crossbreed which would be similar to the highly profitable jatsum, the female mithun cross siri hybrid. In both species there are distinct centromeric heteromorphisms which should provide a rich source of genetic markers for tracing chromosomes in controlled hybrid programmes. The nucleolar organisers in the F1 hybrids were derived from both parents, in contrast to other interspecies hybrids where the nucleolar organisers of one species tend to be suppressed by the other. This indicates a relatively close relationship between mithun and siri and supports the prospect of success for developing a stable crossbreed. Transferrins which may also be a useful source of genetic markers were identified and differences between siris and mithuns noted, especially in the D-bands. No A-bands were found in the siris and no E-bands in the mithuns. Whether this is a breed or species characteristic will have to be confirmed by examination of more animals. The findings on blood groups and haemoglobins, including differences between the two species, were similar to results obtained previously. In meiosis the sex vesicles were intact which indicates that infertility and incompatibility factors should be located in autosomes. In cytogenetic and histological examinations the testes of the siris were comparable to those of European cattle, while in all hybrids spermatogenetic activity was deficient although there were great differences between and within generations. While the exact mechanism of this diversity is not known at this stage, it should make it possible to select for increased male hybrid fertility which would be a prerequisite for developing a stable interspecies crossbreed. This selection would be facilitated by correlating infertility and incompatibility with genetic profiles and markers. A mithun cross siri crossbreed would also serve as a model for other interspecies breeding.     

Spermatogenesis in Bali cattle (Bos sondaicus) and hybrids with Bos indicus and Bos taurus

Semen quality, testis size and efficiency of sperm production in Bali cattle (Bos sondaicus) and hybrids with Bos indicus and Bos taurus were determined. Mean (+/- SEM) daily sperm production per gram of testis parenchyma (DSPG) in six purebred Bali bulls was 12.2 +/- 0.7 x 10(6). F1 B sondaicus cross B taurus bulls and F1 B sondaicus cross B indicus bulls were sterile. Spermatogenesis was arrested at the late primary spermatocyte stage. In 11 B sondaicus cross B indicus crosses, mean DSPG was lower than in the purebred B sondaicus, although four (one 1/4 B sondaicus, one 3/4 B sondaicus, one 5/8 B sondaicus inter se and one 3/8 B sondaicus inter se) exhibited DSPG levels similar to the foundation stock. Semen from those crossbreeds which exhibited complete spermatogenesis was more variable in terms of spermatozoal concentration, percentage of spermatozoa exhibiting progressive motility and levels of spermatozoal abnormalities. In crossbreeds where sperm production was reduced or absent, there was seminiferous epithelial dysfunction, manifested as an increased frequency of degenerative late pachytene and diplotene primary spermatocytes and germinal cells occurring later in the cycle, or in extreme cases, as complete arrest of spermatogenesis at the late primary spermatocyte stage.     

Karyotyping, red blood cell and haemoglobin typing of the mithun (Bos frontalis), its wild ancestor and its hybrids

In Bhutan in remote parts of the Himalayas the mithun (Bos frontalis) has been used probably for centuries in an ingenious system for crossbreeding with domestic cattle which results in highly profitable hybrid females. The hybrid males are infertile and so far no stable crossbreed has been developed. Genetic analyses reported in this paper support the view that the gaur is the wild ancestor of the mithun. Both have only 58 chromosomes in contrast to 60 in cattle and also different, hitherto undescribed haemoglobins and blood groups which would justify the revision of the present classification of the subfamily Bovinae. If, with the aid of modern genetic methods, a stable crossbreed could be developed, dairy and beef production in Bhutan and many climatically similar areas could benefit greatly. Because of its remarkable size the mithun may, in the hands of enterprising breeders, also make a useful genetic contribution to beef production elsewhere.     

Milk protein polymorphisms in cattle (Bos indicus), mithun (Bos frontalis) and yak (Bos grunniens) breeds and their hybrids indigenous to Bhutan

In the current study, milk protein variation was examined in cattle (Bos indicus), mithun (Bos frontalis), yak (Bos grunniens) and their hybrid populations in Bhutan to estimate genetic variability, conduct genetic characterization and assess the possibility of gene flow between mithun and cattle. Isoelectric focusing of 372 milk samples from 11 populations detected four molecular types of β‐lactoglobulin (A, B, E and M), five molecular types of α_S1‐casein (A, B, C, E and X) and three molecular types of k‐casein (A, B and X). Mithun and yak shared alleles but were found to exhibit different allele frequencies for the proteins studied. The degree of genetic variability within populations was measured by average heterozygosity and ranged from 24–40% in cattle, 26% for yak and 33% for mithun. We also resolved the traditional mithun and cattle hybridization system via principal component analysis. Our results suggested secondary introgression of mithun genes to the village Thrabum population, and a close genetic relationship between Bhutanese indigenous cattle and Indian cattle.     

半野生大额牛的研究进展和保护利用现状

大额牛(Bos frontalis)在我国又叫独龙牛,是一种半野生的珍稀牛种。本文较系统地介绍大额牛的起源、繁殖特点、生产性能与杂交利用、疾病调查、迁地保护、饲养管理等研究进展,提出我国独龙牛保护、利用中存在的问题及相应对策和建议。     

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.     

Comparative Thickness of the Medulla of Bos taurus and Bos indicus Kidneys

Twenty kidneys of 4 years old Bos taurus cattle and 26 kidneys of 2—4 years old Bos indicus (Zebu cattle) of East African Shorthorn breen were examined lobe by lobe after fixation. The cortex and medulla with subunits were measured and compared in the two sub-species. The width of the cortex was about the same in both. The outer and inner stripes of the outer medullary zone were significantly broader in Bos taurus whereas outer inner zone was significantly broader in Bos indicus. The width of the entire medulla was greater in Bos taurus.     

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.     

Comparative Histology of the Kidney of Bos taurus and Bos indicus Cattle

Twenty-six kidneys of 2–4 years old Bos indicus (zebu cattle) and twenty kidneys of 4-year old Bos taurus were examined under the light microscope. The renal tubular epithelial heights and diameters were smaller in zebu than in Bos taurus. The Bos indicus kidney had fewer vascular bundles in the outer medullary zone and a smaller number of capillaries per vascular bundle, hence a lower renal blood flow than in Bos taurus. The Bos indicus proximal tubules had broader brush borders than those of Bos taurus. The smaller renal corpuscles with smaller glomerular filtration surface and low renal blood flow are responsible for low glomerular filtration rate and urinary flow, enabling their kidneys to retain more water than those of Bos taurus.     

Chromosomes of gaur cross domestic cattle hybrids

The chromosomes of five gaur (Bos gaurus hubbacki) domestic cattle (B indicus cross B taurus) hybrids (three females, two males) were studied using the leucocyte culture method and centromeric (C) banding technique. All the hybrids had a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 58, made up of two submetacentric autosomes (different in size) and 54 acrocentric autosomes, most of which could be arranged in pairs in descending order of size. The sex (X) chromosomes in females were a pair of submetacentric chromosomes smaller than the submetacentric autosomes. The Y chromosome in males was a small submetacentric chromosome. The C banding patterns were useful in identifying the X and Y chromosomes and the inherited submetacentric autosomes from the gaur sire. Phenotypically, the hybrids resembled normal B indicus cross B taurus calves except for the presence of a distinct hump-like dorsal ridge containing the spinous processes of the third to 11th thoracic vertebrae, upright 'deer-like' ears and long lean legs. The potential of these hybrids as important genetic resources for meat production is stressed.     

The Issue of Carcass Tenderness Expressed by Cattle Varying in Bos indicus Inheritance

This review reveals that relative to Bos taurus cattle, cattle varying in Bos indicus inheritance, especially cattle that are > 1/2 Bos indicus inheritance, lack carcass tenderness. Because consumers are willing to pay for more tender beef, it seems imperative that the commercial beef cattle industry should refrain from producing cattle that are > 1/2 Bos indicus inheritance. Because of their Superior preweaning maternal performance, F₁Bos indicus ♂ × Bos taurus 9 females and their resulting contemporary F₁steer mates will continue to be produced by the commercial beef cattle industry in the Southeast and Golf Coast areas of the U.S. Further, as progeny testing for tenderness is expensive, it is suggested that the F₁Bos indicus ♂ x Bos taurus 9 steers be identified by the commercial beef cattle industry so that the packing/ retail industries can utilize existing postmortem technology (electrical stimulation, blade tenderization, extended aging, calcium chloride injections) to partially alleviate the lack of tenderness expressed by carcasses resulting from these cattle.     

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。     

In vivo comparison of susceptibility between Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle types to Theileria parva infection

The objective of this study was to determine whether Bos taurus cattle differ form Bos indicus in their susceptibility to infection with the Muguga stabilate of Theileria parva and in their resistance to the resultant disease. Ten Friesians (B. taurus), ten improved Borans (B. indicus), ten unimproved Borans (B. indicus) and ten Zebus (B. indicus) born to dams from an East Coast fever (ECF) endemic area were inoculated with an infective dose50 dilution of T. parva Muguga stabilate 147. All the animals except one Friesian and one Zebu developed schizont parasitosis. All the improved Borans, nine of the Friesians, eight of the unimproved Borans and six of the Zebus developed a febrile response. Four of the improved Borans, four of the Friesians and three of the unimproved Borans died of theileriosis. No significant difference (P > 0.05) in the prepatent period occurred between the groups, but the Zebus had a significantly shorter duration of schizont parasitosis (P > 0.05) and took a significantly shorter time to recover (P > 0.05) than the other three groups. There was no significant difference in the two parameters between the other three groups. The study showed that three B. indicus breds and a B. taurus breed are equally susceptible to T. parva infection. However, Zebus born to dams from an ECF endemic area showed a better ability to control the course of disease than cattle from ECF free areas.     

Productivity and health effects of anaplasmosis and babesiosis on Bos indicus cattle and their crosses, and the effects of differing intensity of tick control in Australia

Tick fever is an important disease of cattle where Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus acts as a vector for the three causal organisms Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina and Anaplasma marginale. Bos indicus cattle and their crosses are more resistant to the clinical effects of infection with B. bovis and B. bigemina than are Bos taurus cattle. Resistance is not complete, however, and herds of B. indicus-cross cattle are still at risk of babesiosis in environments where exposure to B. bovis is light in most years but occasionally high. The susceptibility of B. indicus cattle and their crosses to infection with A. marginale is similar to that of B. taurus cattle. In herds of B. indicus cattle and their crosses the infection rate of Babesia spp. and A. marginale is lowered because fewer ticks are likely to attach per day due to reduced numbers of ticks in the field (long-term effect on population, arising from high host resistance) and because a smaller proportion of ticks that do develop to feed on infected cattle will in turn be infected (due to lower parasitaemia). As a consequence, herds of B. indicus cattle are less likely than herds of B. taurus cattle to have high levels of population immunity to babesiosis or anaplasmosis. The effects of acaricide application on the probability of clinical disease due to anaplasmosis and babesiosis are unpredictable and dependent on the prevalence of infection in ticks and in cattle at the time of application. Attempting to manipulate population immunity through the toleration of specific threshold numbers of ticks with the aim of controlling tick fever is not reliable and the justification for acaricide application should be for the control of ticks rather than for tick fever. Vaccination of B. indicus cattle and their crosses is advisable in all areas where ticks exist, although vaccination against B. bigemina is probably not essential in pure B. indicus animals.     

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.     

Physiological responses of Bos taurus and Bos indicus cattle to prolonged, continuous heat and humidity

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the physiological responses of Bos taurus (Angus cross, n = 6) and Bos indicus (Brahman, n = 6) cattle to prolonged heat and humidity, as can occur during live export by sea. Each experiment was carried out in climate-controlled rooms, where heifers were exposed to 15 d of sustained heat and humidity. The treatment was designed to be representative of a long-haul, live-export voyage leaving a southern Australian winter and traveling to a Middle Eastern summer. Wet bulb temperature (WBT) was used to give a combined measure of dry bulb temperature and relative humidity and was increased over several days, culminating in 5 d at 32 degrees C WBT between d 7 and 11. By d 11, the respiratory rate and core body temperature increased (P < 0.001) compared with values at lower ambient temperature on d 1 and 2 when climate-controlled rooms were not operating. Feed intake of Bos taurus was reduced (P < 0.001) by d 11, whereas that of Bos indicus did not change (P = 0.14). Despite no diurnal variation in climatic conditions, core body temperature of both Bos taurus and Bos indicus continued to show a circadian amplitude of approximately 1 degrees C throughout the hottest period. This amplitude increased during the recovery period after heat was removed (up to 1.8 degrees C for Bos indicus and 1.6 degrees C for Bos taurus). Water intake for both Bos taurus and Bos indicus increased when WBT increased (P < 0.01 on d 11). Significant acid-base and blood electrolyte imbalances occurred in both Bos taurus and Bos indicus, with changes in Bos taurus being more substantial and prolonged. The increase in respiratory rate coincided with a decrease in the partial pressures of carbon dioxide and bicarbonate in venous blood. However, during the hottest period, average daily venous blood pH remained unchanged. When the heat load was reduced after d 11, the blood pH decreased, indicating metabolic acidosis. Blood pH declined from 7.44 to 7.36 for Bos taurus (P < 0.001) and from 7.44 to 7.38 for Bos indicus (P < 0.001). Other parameters measured include heart rate; packed cell volume; plasma and urine Na, K, and Cl; urine pH; and specific gravity. Our results suggest that Bos taurus cattle experience significant physiological changes during exposure to prolonged and continuous high heat and humidity, with alterations persisting for some days after the heat-stress conditions subside. Bos indicus experience similar but less pronounced physiological changes.     

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.     

Abnormal functions of Leydig cells in crossbred cattle–yak showing infertility

In Mongolia, yak (Bos grunniens) are able to live in alpine areas and their products greatly influence the lives of the local people. Increased vigour in hybridized yak and cattle can offer benefits for livestock farmers. However, male hybrids show reproductive defects resulting from spermatogenesis arrest, affecting the conservation and maintenance of dominant traits in the next generation. The underlying mechanisms involved in hybrid cattle–yak infertility have recently been investigated; however, the genetic cause is still unclear. Androgens and androgen receptor (AR) signalling are required for spermatogenesis. We, therefore, evaluated the expression of AR, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3βHSD) and 5α-reductase 2 (SRD5A2) in Leydig cells to investigate their function in cattle–yak spermatogenesis. Testicular tissues from yaks (1–3 years old) and hybrids (F1–F3, 2 years old) were collected and subjected to immunohistochemistry and image analyses to investigate the expression of each parameter in the Leydig cells. After maturation at 2 years, the expression levels of AR increased and the levels of 3βHSD decreased, but the SRD5A2 levels remained constant in yak. However, the cattle–yak hybrid F2 showed immature testicular development and significantly different expression levels of AR and 3βHSD compared with mature yak. These results suggest that the decreased expression of AR and increased expression of 3βHSD in the Leydig cells of cattle–yak hybrid testes may represent one of the causes of infertility. Our study might help in solving the problem of infertility in crossbreeding.     

The productivity effects of cattle tick (Boophilus microplus) infestation on cattle, with particular reference to Bos indicus cattle and their crosses

In response to uncertainty among cattle producers in Australia regarding the need to treat Bos indicus and B. indicus crossbreeds, the scientific literature relating to the productivity effects of Boophilus microplus on cattle of all breeds was reviewed. Estimates of the mean effect of each engorging tick (damage coefficient, d) were made from a simple analysis of the reported data. On average, each engorging female tick is responsible for the loss of 1.37 +/- 0.25 g bodyweight in B. taurus cattle. The comparable value for B. taurusxB. indicus cattle is 1.18 +/- 0.21 g/engorging tick. These values were not statistically significantly different, indicating that if a threshold approach to tick control were taken, then the threshold number of standard ticks would be the same regardless of cattle genotype. No studies provided useable estimates of the effect of tick infestation on pure B. indicus cattle. An economic threshold for treatment, below which acaricide application is not beneficial, can be predicted, using known values for the cost of acaricide application and the price of beef. However, the application of a threshold approach to control has not been embraced by government advisers and runs contrary to the accepted principals of strategic control programs.     

Effect of breed of cattle on innate resistance to infection with Anaplasma marginale transmitted by Boophilus microplus

OBJECTIVE: To assess the innate resistance of and transmission in naive Bos taurus cross Bos indicus and purebred Bos indicus cattle when placed in a paddock with cattle infected with Anaplasma marginale and carrying Boophilus microplus ticks. DESIGN: A group of 49 purebred B indicus, and 48 B indicus cross B taurus (50%, F1 generation) 24-month-old steers were kept in the same paddock with cattle artificially infected with a virulent isolate of A marginale and Boophilus microplus. The cattle were seronegative for A marginale at the start of the trial but had previously been exposed to Babesia bovis and B bigemina. PROCEDURE: Cattle were inspected twice weekly for 118 days. Whole blood, blood smears and serum samples were collected from the cattle on day 37 after exposure and then at regular intervals to day 83 after exposure to measure packed-cell volumes, parasitaemias and antibody titres to A marginale. Any animals that met preset criteria were treated for anaplasmosis. On day 83 all cattle were treated with an acaricide and cattle infected with A marginale were removed from the rest of the group. RESULTS: A marginale was detected in blood smears from 14 crossbred and 9 B indicus steers between days 56 and 72 after exposure. Five and two of the infected crossbred and B indicus steers required treatment, respectively. One of the Bos indicus cattle died as a result of the A marginale infection despite treatment. Antibodies to A marginale were detected in the 23 infected cattle. The mean packed-cell volume depression was 40 and 37% in the affected crossbred and Bos indicus groups, respectively. There was no significant difference detected in susceptibility between these two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Innate resistance of purebred B indicus and crossbred cattle was not significantly different. The results confirm that purebred B indicus and crossbred cattle are sufficiently susceptible to warrant the use of vaccination against Anaplasma infections.