• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.49 no.3
• /
• pp.431-440
• /
• 2022

Hanwoo cattle are a unique and historical breed in Korea that have been genetically improved and maintained by the national evaluation and selection system. The aim of this study was to provide information that can help improve the accuracy of the estimated breeding values in Hanwoo cattle by showing the difference between the imputation reference chip platforms of genomic data and the scaling factor of the genetic relationship matrix (GRM). In this study, nine sets of data were compared that consisted of 3 reference platforms each with 3 different scaling factors (-0.5, 0 and 0.5). The evaluation was performed using MTG2.0 with nine different GRMs for the same number of genotyped animals, pedigree, and phenotype data. A five multi-trait model was used for the evaluation in this study which is the same model used in the national evaluation system. Our results show that the Hanwoo custom v1 platform is the best option for all traits, providing a mean accuracy improvement by 0.1 - 0.3%. In the case of the scaling factor, regardless of the imputation chip platform, a setting of -1 resulted in a better accuracy increased by 0.5 to 1.6% compared to the other scaling factors. In conclusion, this study revealed that Hanwoo custom v1 used as the imputation reference chip platform and a scaling factor of -0.5 can improve the accuracy of the estimated breeding value in the Hanwoo population. This information could help to improve the current evaluation system.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.52 no.5
• /
• pp.367-374
• /
• 2010

Telomeres at the end of chromosomes consist of tandem repeats of (TTAGGG)n DNA sequence and associated proteins. Telomeres have the essential functions in chromosome stability and genome integrity and are hence related to cell senescence and cancer. This study was carried out to quantify the amount of telomeric DNA and establish age prediction equations by using the quantity of telomeric DNA for cattle. Analysis of the telomere quantity of the lymphocytes was performed at different age, across breeds and between different sexes of cattle. We quantified the amount of telomeric DNA by the Q-FISH technique using the telomeric DNA probe in 460 cattle at age of 1~166 months in Korean Cattle and Holstein breeds. In results, we found that the amount of telomeric DNA decreased gradually with age. The amount of telomeric DNA of Korean Cattle was significantly higher than that of Holstein breed (P<0.01). In addition, the amount of telomeric DNA in male was significantly higher than that in female (P<0.01). Using the relationship between age and the amount of telomeric DNA in cattle, age predicting equations were established as a result of regression analysis. Because sex and breeds influenced telomeric DNA quantity, the age prediction equations were estimated separately in Korean Cattle females and Holstein females. The regression equations were $\hat{Y}$=$38.102X^2$-220.103X + 318.309 (P<0.0001, $R^2$=0.8019) in Korean Cattle females and $\hat{Y}$ = $42.799X^2$ - 199.682X + 242.106 (P<0.0001, $R^2$ = 0.8379) in Holstein females, where the X was quantity of telomeric DNA and Y was predicted age in months. These equations predicted the age of cattle with high significance and accuracy and have high R square values. Thus, it could be possible to scientifically predict the age using the above equations for Korean Cattle and Holstein females.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.123-127
• /
• 2013

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of the levels of inbreeding on body weight traits between two breed populations, Hanwoo and Korea Brindle cattle. Birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), body weight at 6 months of age (W6) and yearling weight (YW). Records of 1,745 calves (1,513 from Hanwoo, and 232 from Korea Brindle calves) were collected from Livestock Research Institutes in Kangwon, Gyeongbuk and Chungbuk provinces. The least squares means (LSM) and their standard errors for BW, WW, W6 and YW were $25.4{\pm}0.1$ kg, $81.0{\pm}1.8$ kg, $146.1{\pm}3.7$ kg and $291.5{\pm}2.4$ kg, respectively in Hanwoo calves and $22.6{\pm}0.3$ kg, $79.9{\pm}2.3$ kg, $137.6{\pm}4.6$ kg and $249.3{\pm}6.6$ kg, respectively in Korea Brindle calves. Pedigree data showed that 14.8% (316 out of 2131) of Hanwoo was inbred and the average inbreeding coefficient was 0.0209 (2.09%). Inbreeding coefficients of ten calves out of 316 total inbred Hanwoo calves were 12.5% or higher, whereas those of the other 306 calves were less than 12.5%. In both breeds, calves were divided into three groups of inbreeding classes - highly inbred group($F{\geq}0.125$), lowly to medially inbred group(0

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.19 no.9
• /
• pp.1266-1270
• /
• 2006

This study was carried out to determine the contents of vitamins A and E in carcass fat from Japanese Black and F1 cross cattle, because the method of controlling the amount of vitamin A in feed has been used in the production of expensive beef with high marbling in Japan. We determined the contents of tocopherol and retinol in subcutaneous and perirenal fats for 40 carcasses of Japanese Black and F1 (Holstein${\times}$Japanese Black crossed) cattle that had been sent to market from 10 prefectures. In bovine fat, free ${\alpha}$-tocopherol was present in the greatest amount, the level of ${\gamma}$-tocopherol was about 10% and there was only a trace of ${\delta}$-tocopherol. The means${\pm}$standard deviation of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol content in subcutaneous and perirenal fats were $0.68{\pm}0.33mg/100g$ and $0.54{\pm}0.23mg/100g$, respectively. The means${\pm}$standard deviation of retinol content in subcutaneous and perirenal fats were $2.9{\pm}4.5{\mu}g/100g$ and $2.9{\pm}5.1{\mu}g/100g$, respectively. Both vitamins differed widely between animals and were present at a relatively low level compared to other reports (${\alpha}$-tocopherol 2.4-5.4 mg/100 g fat tissue and $30-220{\mu}g/100g$ muscle tissue). The correlation coefficients between subcutaneous and perirenal fats for retinol and ${\alpha}$-tocopherol content were 0.97 (p<0.01) and 0.82 (p<0.01), respectively, which showed high correlation. However, the correlation coefficients between retinol and ${\alpha}$-tocopherol contents for subcutaneous and perirenal fats were 0.11 and 0.08, respectively, which showed low correlation. Breed effect was observed in both vitamins. These results indicated that vitamins A and E in fat from Japanese Black and F1 cross cattle under the vitamin A controlling method are present at relatively low levels and feeds need to be supplemented with vitamin E.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.327-334
• /
• 2018

Objective: The objective of the present study was to validate genes and genomic regions associated with carcass weight using a low-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) Chip in Hanwoo cattle breed. Methods: Commercial Hanwoo steers (n = 220) were genotyped with 20K GeneSeek genomic profiler BeadChip. After applying the quality control of criteria of a call rate ${\geq}90%$ and minor allele frequency (MAF) ${\geq}0.01$, a total of 15,235 autosomal SNPs were left for genome-wide association (GWA) analysis. The GWA tests were performed using single-locus mixed linear model. Age at slaughter was fitted as fixed effect and sire included as a covariate. The level of genome-wide significance was set at $3.28{\times}10^{-6}$ (0.05/15,235), corresponding to Bonferroni correction for 15,235 multiple independent tests. Results: By employing EMMAX approach which is based on a mixed linear model and accounts for population stratification and relatedness, we identified 17 and 16 loci significantly (p<0.001) associated with carcass weight for the additive and dominant models, respectively. The second most significant (p = 0.000049) SNP (ARS-BFGL-NGS-28234) on bovine chromosome 4 (BTA4) at 21 Mb had an allele substitution effect of 43.45 kg. Some of the identified regions on BTA2, 6, 14, 22, and 24 were previously reported to be associated with quantitative trait loci for carcass weight in several beef cattle breeds. Conclusion: This is the first genome-wide association study using SNP chips on commercial Hanwoo steers, and some of the loci newly identified in this study may help to better DNA markers that determine increased beef production in commercial Hanwoo cattle. Further studies using a larger sample size will allow confirmation of the candidates identified in this study.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.59-64
• /
• 2013

Eight male cattle of the Local Yellow breed with an average live weight of 121 kg and an average age of 18 months were used to evaluate the effects of different levels of sun-dried cassava (Manihot esculenta) foliage supplementation on mineral metabolism in growing cattle fed rice straw and para grass as basal diet. Rice straw ad libitum and para grass (Brachiaria mutica) at 1% DM of BW comprised the basal diet. The study was arranged as a $4{\times}4$ double Latin square design, with cassava foliage contributing 0, 0.8, 1.6 or 2.4 g CP/kg BW. The cassava foliage intake was lower than the planned levels. DM consumption was significantly affected by cassava foliage supplementation, with the largest intake observed at the two highest levels of cassava foliage supplementation. Rice straw intake showed the opposite pattern, with lower intake at higher cassava foliage supplementation. No refusals occurred for para grass in any of the treatments. Ca, P, Mg, K, S and Mn intake increased significantly with increasing intake of cassava foliage, but Na intake was not affected by treatment. Faecal excretion of Ca, Mg, S and Mn increased significantly with increasing cassava foliage intake. There were no differences between P, K and Na excretion in faeces. There was a significant diet effect on Mg, S and Mn digestibility. Mg and Mn digestibility increased with increasing cassava foliage supplementation, while S digestibility decreased. Ca, P, K and Na digestibility was not affected by diet. There was a significant effect of treatment on P retention, with the highest value observed for supplementation with 1.6 g CP/kg BW cassava foliage. Ca and Mg showed similar trends, with the highest retention again for supplementation with 1.6 g CP/kg BW cassava foliage. There were weak but significant positive correlations between nitrogen retention and the macro minerals Ca, P and Mg. Furthermore, retention of all these minerals was positively correlated. Mineral losses in urine were not affected by dietary treatment with the exception of P excretion, which was affected by treatment. In conclusion, cassava foliage is a good Ca source which compensates for the low Ca content in rice straw and para grass, but P deficiency appears to be exaggerated in cattle with higher cassava intake. The results suggest that under these conditions growing cattle on a high cassava intake would benefit from P and S supplementation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.357-365
• /
• 2002

A survey was under taken of six district of Northern India viz. Bareilly, Pilibhit, Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital, Almora and Rampur. The age, breed, sex and physiological status recorded. A total number of 854 cattle examined out of which lactating (274 cases), non lactating (302 cases) heifers (128 cases), calves (82 cases) and adult male (68 cases) were examined. An incidence of 4.92 percent (42) of microfilarisis was recorded. The highest prevalence was observed in Rudrapur District of Udham Singh Nagar (33.33%, 4/12), followed by Lalkaun in Nanital District (21.74%, 10/46), Rampur (12.50%, 2/16), Bareilly (8.16%, 8/98) and Pilibhit (1.22%, 1/82). No infection was observed in Almora region. Amongst 854 cattle of different group incidence was highest in adult male (12.20%, 10/82), followed by non lactating (3.82%, 12/314) and lactating (2.70%, 2/74), (7.64%, 12/157) was found in Heifers. For haemeto-biochemical, serum minerals estimations and therapeutic study 32 animals suffering from filariasis and 18 healthy animals were taken. 16 animals were treated with ivermectin $@200{\mu}g/kg $ body weight. Effect of this disease on production has also been estimated for which body weight and milk production was observed. The main clinical manifestations observed were anaemia, loss of appetite, debility, oedematous swelling especially in the abdominal region, increased heart rate, and respiration rate. Haematological changes indicated decrease in hemoglobin, total erythrocyte count, packed cell volume, erthrocyte fragility and neutrophil, whereas there was significant increase in erythrocytes sedimentation rate (ESR), total leukocyte count (TLC), lymphocyte and eosinophils. Biochemical changes showed significant reduction in the values of serum albumin, A : G ratio, where as there was significant increase in blood glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), globulin, total lipid, total cholesterol, phospholipids, serum bilirubin. Serum mineral profile also altered markedly, which indicate a significant decrease in Ca, Cu, Fe, Zn, and Mn with increase value of Na and Cl. There was no significant change in P and K values. Enzyme pattern in micro filaria infected animal indicated increased level of AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, ornithine carbamyl transferase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, isocitric dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase. In blood gas values and acid/base balance, there was an increase in $PVCo_2$ and $PVo_2$. It has been observed that microfilaria infected cattle showed decrease in body weight and milk production. Animal treated with ivermectin showed the return of these above values toward normalcy.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.35 no.10
• /
• pp.1499-1511
• /
• 2022

Objective: This study was aimed to estimate the genetic parameters, including genetic and phenotypic correlations, of milk yield, lactation curve traits and milk composition of Thai dairy cattle from three government research farms. Methods: The data of 25,789 test-day milk yield and milk composition records of 1,468 cattle from lactation 1 to 3 of Holstein Friesian (HF) and crossbred HF dairy cattle calved between 1990 and 2015 from three government research farms in Thailand were analysed. 305-day milk yield was estimated by the Wood model and a test interval method. The Wood model was used for estimating cumulative 305-day milk yield, peak milk yield, days to peak milk yield and persistency. Genetic parameters were estimated using linear mixed models with herd, breed group, year and season of calving as fixed effects, and animals linked to a pedigree as random effects, together with a residual error. Univariate models were used to estimate variance components, heritability, estimated breeding values (EBVs) and repeatability of each trait, while pairwise bivariate models were used to estimate covariance components and correlations between traits in the same lactation and in the same trait across lactations. Results: The heritability of 305-day milk yield, peak milk yield and protein percentage have moderate to high estimates ranging from 0.19 to 0.45 while days to peak milk yield, persistency and fat percentage have low heritability ranging from 0.08 to 0.14 in lactation 1 cows. Further, heritability of most traits considered was higher in lactation 1 compared with lactations 2 and 3. For cows in lactation 1, high genetic correlations were found between 305-day milk yield and peak milk yield (0.86±0.07) and days to peak milk yield and persistency (0.99±0.02) while estimates of genetic correlations between the remaining traits were imprecise due to the high standard errors. The genetic correlations within the traits across lactation were high. There was no consistent trend of EBVs for most traits in the first lactation over the study period. Conclusion: Both the Wood model and test interval method can be used for milk yield estimates in these herds. However, the Wood model has advantages over the test interval method as it can be fitted using fewer test-day records and the estimated model parameters can be used to derive estimates of other lactation curve parameters. Milk yield, peak milk yield and protein percentage can be improved by a selection and mating program while days to peak milk yield, persistency and fat percentage can be improved by including into a selection index.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.36 no.12
• /
• pp.1806-1820
• /
• 2023

Objective: The present study was aimed primarily for estimating various genetic parameters (heritability, genetic correlations) of reproduction (age at first calving [AFC], first service period [FSP]); production (first lactation milk, solid-not fat, and fat yield) and lifetime traits (lifetime milk yield, productive life [PL], herd life [HL]) in Tharparkar cattle to check the association of reproduction traits with lifetime traits through two different methods (Frequentist and Bayesian) for comparative purpose. Methods: Animal breeding data of Tharparkar cattle (n = 964) collected from Livestock farm unit of ICAR-NDRI Karnal for the period 1990 through 2019 were analyzed using a Frequentist least squares maximum likelihood method (LSML; Harvey, 1990) and a multi-trait Bayesian-Gibbs sampler approach (MTGSAM) for genetic correlations estimation of all the traits. Estimated breeding values of sires was obtained by BLUP and Bayesian analysis for the production traits. Results: Heritability estimates of most of the traits were medium to high with the LSML (0.20±0.44 to 0.49±0.71) and Bayesian approach (0.24±0.009 to 0.61±0.017), respectively. However, more reliable estimates were obtained using the Bayesian technique. A higher heritability estimate was obtained for AFC (0.61±0.017) followed by first lactation fat yield, first lactation solid-not fat yield, FSP, first lactation milk yield (FLMY), PL (0.60±0.013, 0.60±0.006, 0.57±0.024, 0.57±0.020, 0.42±0.025); while a lower estimate for HL (0.38±0.034) by MTGSAM approach. Genetic and phenotypic correlations were negative for AFC-PL, AFC-HL, FSP-PL, and FSP-HL (-0.59±0.19, -0.59±0.24, -0.38±0.101 and -0.34±0.076) by the multi-trait Bayesian analysis. Conclusion: Breed and traits of economic importance are important for selection decisions to ensure genetic gain in cattle breeding programs. Favourable genetic and phenotypic correlations of AFC with production and lifetime traits compared to that of FSP indicated better scope of AFC for indirect selection of life-time traits at an early age. This also indicated that the present Tharparkar cattle herd had sufficient genetic diversity through the selection of AFC for the improvement of first lactation production and lifetime traits.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.14 no.8
• /
• pp.1067-1072
• /
• 2001

An experiment was conducted on eight bullocks of Hariana cattle study draft efficiency using different appliances, changes in their physiological, biochemical and haematological parameters, and how the body tries to maintain these within normal physiological range. Blood collection was done at pre-exercise, three hours after exercise and two hours post exercise in summer and winter seasons of the year 1990-91. Average pulse rate and respiration rate per minute were found to be $63.09{\pm}0.78,\;25.60{\pm}0.54,\;97.21{\pm}2.51,\;63.37{\pm}2.70,\;64.05{\pm}1.90,\;25.33{\pm}1.20$, respectively, at pre-exercise, three hours exercise and two hours post exercise rest. The seasonal differences were found to significant and the values were higher in summer than in winter. After two hours post exercise rest Hariana bullocks regained their normal values for all the parameters, except that pulse rate, respiration rate and serum sodium during summer did not reach the pre - exercise levels.