• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.911-921
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• 2015

At least 150 indigenous African cattle breeds have been named, but the majority of African cattle populations remain largely uncharacterized. As cattle breeds and populations in Africa adapted to various local environmental conditions, they acquired unique features. We know now that the history of African cattle was particularly complex and while several of its episodes remain debated, there is no doubt that African cattle population evolved dramatically over time. Today, we find a mosaic of genetically diverse population from the purest Bos taurus to the nearly pure Bos indicus. African cattle are now found all across the continent, with the exception of the Sahara and the river Congo basin. They are found on the rift valley highlands as well as below sea level in the Afar depression. These unique livestock genetic resources are in danger to disappear rapidly following uncontrolled crossbreeding and breed replacements with exotic breeds. Breeding improvement programs of African indigenous livestock remain too few while paradoxically the demand of livestock products is continually increasing. Many African indigenous breeds are endangered now, and their unique adaptive traits may be lost forever. This paper reviews the unique known characteristics of indigenous African cattle populations while describing the opportunities, the necessity and urgency to understand and utilize these resources to respond to the needs of the people of the continent and to the benefit of African farmers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.946-951
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• 2003

The Genetic diversity and relationship of native Siri (Bos indicus) cattle populations of Bhutan were evaluated using 20 microsatellite markers. A total of 120 Siri cattle were sampled and were grouped into four populations according to their geographical locations which were named Siri West, Siri South, Siri Central and Siri East cattle. For each, 30 individuals were sampled. In addition, 30 samples each of Indian Jaba (B. indicus), Tibetan Goleng (B. taurus), Nepal Hill cattle (B. indicus), Holstein Friesian (B.taurus) and Mithun (B. frontalis) were typed. The mean number of alleles per loci (MNA) and observed heterozygosity (Ho) were high in the Siri populations ($MNA=7.2{\pm}0.3$ to $8.9{\pm}0.5$ and $Ho=0.67{\pm}0.04$ to $0.73{\pm}0.03$). The smallest coefficient of genetic differentiation and genetic distance ($F_{ST}=0.015$ and $D_A=0.073$) were obtained between Siri West and Siri Central populations. Siri East population is genetically distinct from the other Siri populations being close to the Indian Jaba ($F_{ST}=0.024$ and $D_A=0.084$). A high bootstrap value of 96% supported the close relationship of Siri South, Siri Central and Siri West, while the relationship between Siri East and Jaba was also supported by a high bootstrap value (82%). Data from principal component analysis and individual assignment test were in concordance with the inference from genetic distance and differentiation. In conclusion we identified two separate Siri cattle populations in Bhutan at the genetic level. One population included Siri cattle sampled from the West, Central and South of the country and the other Siri cattle was sampled from the East of the country. We suggest that Siri cattle conservation program in Bhutan should focus on the former population as it has received less genetic influence from other cattle breeds.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.24-30
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to identify genetic polymorphisms of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (mtDNA cyt b) gene in Korean black (KB) cattle breed and to analyze the genetic relationship between the KB and other breeds. We determined the complete sequence of the mtDNA cyt b gene in 38 KB cattle. We also analyzed their genetic diversity, and phylogenetic analysis was performed by comparison with Korean cattle (KC, called Hanwoo) and breeds from China and Japan. A nucleotide substitution was detected in the KB cattle, and two haplotypes were defined. In the neighbor-joining (NJ) tree, the haplotypes of KB were located in Bos taurus lineage with those of KC, Japanese black (JB), Yanbian and Zaosheng breeds. However, the haplotypes of Chinese breeds, excluding Yanbian and Zaosheng, were separated into B. taurus and B. indicus lineages. In the NJ tree of breeds based on Dxy genetic distances, Chinese breeds mixed with B. taurus and B. indicus lineages were located between B. indicus and B. taurus lineages. KB was contained within B. taurus lineage and was determined to be genetically more closely related to two Chinese (Yanbian and Zaosheng) breeds than to KC and JB. The haplotype distribution and the results of the phylogenetic analysis suggest that KB and KC have genetic differences in their mtDNA cyt b gene sequences.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.728-734
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• 1999

Thirty new born crossbred (Bos taurus${\times}$Bos indicus) calves, divided randomly in a $3{\times}2$ factorial design, were fed calf starters containing one of three protein sources i.e., groundnut cake (GN), cottonseed meal (CS) and meat and bone meal (MB) along with either raw (M) or gelatinized maize (MG) for 90d. Milk was fed upto 56d of age. Green oats and respective calf starters were offered from 14d of age onwards ad lib. Clinical profile of serum suggested significantly (p<0.05) higher albumin and lower alanine aminotransferase activity due to CS feeding. Alklaine phosphatase activity varied significantly (p<0.05) among dietary treatments showing interaction between protein and starch sources. Inclusion of gelatinized maize resulted in significantly higher concentration of serum globulin (p<0.05) and alkaline phosphatase activity (p<0.01). reduced (p<0.05) ruminal pH was accompanied by a significant decrease (p<0.01) in $NH_3-N$ concentration in the strained rumen liquor (SRL) of MG fed calves. Ruminal amylase activity was lower (p<0.05) on MG diets. Alanine aminotransferase activity in the rumen exhibited a significant (p<0.01) interaction between protein and starch sources. While feeding of CS significantly (p<0.01) reduced alanine aminotransferase activity, inclusion of thermally processed maize reduced (p<0.01) both aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activities in the rumen. The overall blood picture was similar among treatments, whereas rumen metabolites especially enzyme activities, seems to be altered with source of degradable protein an starch.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.1225-1233
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• 2009

Fat composition of beef, taken here to mean marbling, can be manipulated by time on feed, finishing diet, and breed type. These three factors also strongly influence the fatty acid composition of beef. Both the amount of marbling and the concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) increase with time on feed in grain-fed and pasture-fed cattle, but much more dramatically in grain-fed cattle. High-concentrate diets stimulate the activity of adipose tissue stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), which is responsible for the conversion of saturated fatty acids (SFA) to their $\Delta{9}$ desaturated counterparts. Also, grain feeding causes a depression in ruminal pH, which decreases those populations of ruminal microorganisms responsible for the isomerization and hydrogenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). The net result of elevated SCD activity in marbling adipose tissue and depressed ruminal isomerization/hydrogenation of dietary PUFA is a large increase in MUFA in beef over time. Conversely, pasture depresses both the accumulation of marbling and SCD activity, so that even though pasture feeding increases the relative concentration of PUFA in beef, it also increases SFA at the expense of MUFA. Wagyu and Hanwoo cattle accumulate large amounts of marbling and MUFA, and Wagyu cattle appear to be less sensitive to the effects of pastures in depressing overall rates of adipogenesis and the synthesis of MUFA in adipose tissues. There are small differences in fatty acid composition of beef from Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle, but diet and time on feed are much more important determinants of beef fat content and fatty acid composition than breed type.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.187-191
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• 2017

Objective: An experiment was conducted to examine the effect of dietary supplementation of dried and ground foliage of black gram (Vigna mungo L.) on feed intake and utilization, and production performance of crossbred lactating cows. Methods: Eighteen lactating crossbred (Bos taurus${\times}$Bos indicus) cows (body weight $330.93{\pm}10.82kg$) at their second and mid lactation (milk yield $6.77{\pm}0.54kg/d$) were randomly divided into three groups of six each in a completely randomized block design. Three supplements were formulated by quantitatively replacing 0, 50, and 100 per cent of dietary wheat bran of concentrate mixture with dried and ground foliage of black gram. The designated supplement was fed to each group with basal diet of rice straw (ad libitum) to meet the requirements for maintenance and milk production. Daily feed intake and milk yield was recorded. A digestion trial was conducted to determine the total tract digestibility of various nutrients. Results: The daily feed intake was increased (p<0.05) with the supplementation of black gram foliage. Although the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and ether extract did not vary (p>0.05), the fibre digestibility was increased (p<0.05), which ultimately improved (p<0.05) the total digestible nutrients content of composite diet. Although, the average milk yield (kg/animal/d) and composition did not differ (p>0.05) among the groups, milk yield was increased by 10 per cent with total replacement of wheat bran in concentrate mixture with of black gram foliage. The economics of milk production calculated as feed cost per kg milk yield (INR 10.61 vs 7.98) was reduced by complete replacement of wheat bran with black gram foliage. Conclusion: Black gram foliage could be used as complete replacement for wheat bran in concentrate mixture of dairy cows in formulating least cost ration for economic milk production in small holders' animal production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.8
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• pp.1285-1291
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• 1999

A feeding trial was carried out over 238 days to determine the effect of compensatory growth in crossbred calves having 166 kg body weight. Fifteen crossbred calves were divided into two groups of five calves (G1 group) and ten calves (G2 group) as per randomized block design. Growth study was conducted on the feeding of wheat straw based diet containing 60 and 30 percent concentrate supplying equal amount of protein in group G1 and G2 respectively for 119 days (phase - I). At the end of phase-I, calves of G2 group were subdivided in to two groups (G3 and G4). One sub group (G4) received 60% concentrate in their diet (during 120 to 238 days of experiment) while other subgroup G3 received 30% concentrate in their diet (phase-II). The calves of G1 group continued to receive the same diet as during phase-I experiment. Mean DM intake was significantly higher in calves fed high level of concentrate (in G1 and G4 groups), which resulted in significantly higher digestibility of all nutrients except NDF. Nitrogen balance was positive in all the groups and showed significant differences in phase-II (higher nitrogen retention in G4 group than G1 group). ME intake was significantly affected by the level of dietary concentrate, being higher in high concentrate fed group (G1 and G4 than G2 and G3 group). Higher daily body weight gain in the calves of G4 group during phase-II than in G1 and G3 groups was due to compensatory growth on shifting animals from low concentrate to high concentrate based ration. Average daily body weight gain was higher in phase-I than in the phase-II. Protein and energy intake per unit body weight gain were significantly lower in calves fed high concentrate diet.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.433-439
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• 2009

This study was conducted to determine the effect of breed on the chemical composition of first (PUR1) and second (PUR2) generations of $Purun{\tilde{a}}$ young bulls, and to compare both generations with different genetic groups: CAN vs. ANG; CAR; and CHA vs. CAR. Thirty bulls were used. The animals from the PUR2 and CHA vs. CAR genetic groups featured higher (p<0.05) moisture percentage in comparison to the PUR1, CAR and CAN vs. ANG groups. The moisture percentage was similar (p>0.05) between PUR2 and CHA vs. CAR animals. The same was observed among the PUR1, CAR, CAN vs. ANG and CHA vs. CAR animals. There was no difference (p>0.05) among genetic groups for ash, total lipids and total cholesterol. The PUR1, CAR and CAN vs. ANG specimens had higher (p<0.05) crude protein percentages as compared to PUR2 and CAN vs. CAR animals. The fatty acid profile was different (p<0.05) among genetic groups. However, the percentages of SFA, MUFA, PUFA, n-6, n-3, PUFA:SFA, and n-6:n-3 were similar (p>0.05) among genetic groups.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.107-114
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• 1988

Six steers of each breed type, Hereford ($H{\times}H$), Brahman ($B{\times}B$) and Brahman $\times$ Hereford ($B{\times}H$) were ranked on liveweight and allocated to three treatments, basal hay diet (Basal), Basal plus 1 kg/head/day of cottonseed meal (Basal + CSM) and Basal plus 1 kg/head/day of formaldehyde-treated sunflower meal, $Norpro^{(R)}$ (Basal + NPO). The hay was made from a pasture based predominantly on carpet grass (Axonopus affinus) growing in subtropical New South Wales, and had an estimated organic matter digestibility of 52% and a nitrogen (N) content of 7.8 g/kg dry matter (DM). The steers were accustomed to the Basal diet over 15 days and supplements offered over 42 days. Intake of the basal hay diet by steers was not increased by supplementation. When intakes were adjusted for differences between breed types in liveweight the $B{\times}H$ steers ate 25% (P<0.01) more hay than $H{\times}H$ steers (6.3 V 5.0 kg/head/d) and $B{\times}B$ steers ate 8% less hay than $H{\times}H$ steers. Supplementation significantly (P<0.01) increased liveweight gain during the experiment, being ($g/head/d\;{\pm}\;s.e.d.$) 290, 770 and $795{\pm}118$ respectively for Basal, Basal + NPO and Basal + CSM. There was no difference between supplements in the liveweight gain of steers nor between steers of different genotypes. However, there was a significant interaction (P<0.01) between breeds and treatments such that $B{\times}B$ steers gained most on the basal diet but least of the breed types when supplemented. The estimated non-degradeable fraction of N in the protein meals was 58.5 and 44.5%, respectively for NPO and CSM. Both meals increased (P<0.01) plasma urea N and rumen ammonia N concentrations.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.193-199
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• 2001

Twenty-four new born crossbred (Bos indicus$\times$Bos taurus) calves were distributed in two equal groups and assigned to two different pre-starter diets with (Group 1) and without (Group 2) fish meal to study the effect of replacement of animal protein by vegetable protein in the diet and the age of animals on ruminal metabolic development. All calves were fed colostrum for 24 h and whole milk until weaning at 8 weeks of age. Rumen fluid samples were collected on 4 d, 1 wk, and then weekly interval up to 8 wk of age. Rumen fluid samples were analysed for pH, TVFA, lactic acid and N fractions (total N, total soluble N, trichloro acetic acid (TCA) soluble N, TCA precipitable N and ammonia N). Weekly feed intake and live weight gain pattern showed an increasing trend with the advancement of age, but were similar in both groups. The pH fell steadily during 0-4 wk of age and then stabilized in later period. A close relationship (r=0.80) between starter intake and TVFA concentration was observed in both the groups. Lactic acid (meq/l) and ammonia N (mg/dl) concentration showed initial rise (0.55 and 14.97 on day 4 to 3.38 (7 wk) and 32.85 (4 wk), respectively) to fall (2.74 and 17.60) again during 8 wk of age in response to increase in dry feed consumption (10% initially to 83% of diet dry matter at 8 wk of age). The TCA precipitable fraction of N did not show any change during 0-8 wk of age. Data indicate that the metabolic changes responded rapidly to dry feed intake which did not differ in fish meal and non-fish meal groups, and a poor voluntary consumption of oat hay retards the progressive changes in live weight and rumen microbial development.