• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.1069-1076
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• 2019

Objective: Yunnan is not only a frontier zone that connects China with South and Southeast Asia, but also represents an admixture zone between taurine (Bos taurus) and zebu (Bos indicus) cattle. The purpose of this study is to understand the level of genomic diversity and the extent of admixture in each Yunnan native cattle breed. Methods: All 120 individuals were genotyped using Illumina BovineHD BeadChip (777,962 single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs]). Quality control and genomic diversity indexes were calculated using PLINK software. The principal component analysis (PCA) was assessed using SMARTPCA program implemented in EIGENSOFT software. The ADMIXTURE software was used to reveal admixture patterns among breeds. Results: A total of 604,630 SNPs was obtained after quality control procedures. Among six breeds, the highest level of mean heterozygosity was found in Zhaotong cattle from Northeastern Yunnan, whereas the lowest level of heterozygosity was detected in Dehong humped cattle from Western Yunnan. The PCA based on a pruned dataset of 233,788 SNPs clearly separated Dehong humped cattle (supposed to be a pure zebu breed) from other five breeds. The admixture analysis further revealed two clusters (K = 2 with the lowest cross validation error), corresponding to taurine and zebu cattle lineages. All six breeds except for Dehong humped cattle showed different degrees of admixture between taurine and zebu cattle. As expected, Dehong humped cattle showed no signature of taurine cattle influence. Conclusion: Overall, considerable genomic diversity was found in six Yunnan native cattle breeds except for Dehong humped cattle from Western Yunnan. Dehong humped cattle is a pure zebu breed, while other five breeds had admixed origins with different extents of admixture between taurine and zebu cattle. Such admixture by crossbreeding between zebu and taurine cattle facilitated the spread of zebu cattle from tropical and subtropical regions to other highland regions in Yunnan.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.1381-1386
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• 2014

In spite of variation in coat color, size, and production traits among indigenous Bangladeshi cattle populations, genetic differences among most of the populations have not been investigated or exploited. In this study, we used a high-density bovine single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) 80K Bead Chip derived from Bos indicus breeds to assess genetic diversity and population structure of 2 Bangladeshi zebu cattle populations (red Chittagong, n = 28 and non-descript deshi, n = 28) and a semi-domesticated population (gayal, n = 17). Overall, 95% and 58% of the total SNPs (69,804) showed polymorphisms in the zebu and gayal populations, respectively. Similarly, the average minor allele frequency value was as high 0.29 in zebu and as low as 0.09 in gayal. The mean expected heterozygosity varied from $0.42{\pm}0.14$ in zebu to $0.148{\pm}0.14$ in gayal with significant heterozygosity deficiency of 0.06 ($F_{IS}$) in the latter. Coancestry estimations revealed that the two zebu populations are weakly differentiated, with over 99% of the total genetic variation retained within populations and less than 1% accounted for between populations. Conversely, strong genetic differentiation ($F_{ST}=0.33$) was observed between zebu and gayal populations. Results of population structure and principal component analyses suggest that gayal is distinct from Bos indicus and that the two zebu populations were weakly structured. This study provides basic information about the genetic diversity and structure of Bangladeshi cattle and the semi-domesticated gayal population that can be used for future appraisal of breed utilization and management strategies.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.751-756
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• 2002

A study was carried out to evaluate the incidences and causes of bovine mastitis in Tanzanian shorthorn zebu (Bos indicus) in the traditional sector and crossbred cows (Bos taurus${\times}$Bos indicus) in the dairy ranching sector, both found under the extensive range management system. Management practices were evaluated through a survey study using structured questionnaires. A total of 120 lactating cows (60 cows from each sector) were screened for the disease using the California Mastitis Test (CMT). Confirmatory tests used for infected cows included; the Direct Microscopic Somatic Cell Count (DMSCC), culture, bacteriological and biochemical laboratory assays. Survey results showed that management practices were generally very poor in both sectors with 84% of the surveyed herds being kept and milked under very unhygienic environmental conditions. The level of infection was higher in the crossbred cows (5% clinical and 38.3% sub-clinical mastitis) and lower in the zebu cows with only sub-clinical mastitis (23.3%). Crossbred cows had (p<0.05) higher somatic cell counts than zebu cows. The four highest-ranking bacterial isolates in order of importance were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus agalactiae and Bacillus spp. It was concluded that bovine mastitis under the extensive management system in Tanzania was a result of poor management practices and that zebu cows were more resistant to the diseases than crossbred cows.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.89-95
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• 2009

Successful in vitro embryo production heavily relies on the normal maturation and fertilisation of oocytes. We examined the normal and abnormal fertilisation of zebu cattle oocytes matured in vitro. Immature cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) from zebu cattle ovaries at slaughter were matured in vitro (IVM) for 24 h. The oocytes were either fixed, stained and examined for nuclear changes or fertilised in vitro (IVF) with Percoll-separated, heparintreated spermatozoa (1.0 ${\times}$ $10^6$/mL) of zebu (n = 7) and crossbred bulls (n = 7). After 18 h of sperm-COCs co-incubation at $39^{\circ}$C with 5% $CO_2$ in humidified air, the presumptive zygotes were fixed, stained and examined for pronuclei. The number of oocytes retrieved per ovary was 5.4 ${\pm}$ 0.7. The percentage of matured oocytes was 73.0. The difference in motility of spermatozoa before and after Percoll seperation was significant (p<0.001). The percentages of normal and abnormal fertilisation (polyspermia and oocytes with one pronucleus) varied significantly depending on individual bulls (p<0.05). A protocol for IVF of IVM oocytes in Bangladeshi zebu cattle is developed. A future study may elucidate the capacity of such IVM-IVF oocytes to develop to the blastocyst stage for transfer to surrogate mother.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.131-136
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• 1994

In an effort to confirm true oestrus and to detect early pregnancy in Zebu cows (Bos indicus), sequential blood and milk samples were collected at the day of imsemination (Day 0) and days 14, 20 and 24 after insemination. Progesterone was determined in skimmed milk and plasma by solid phase radioimmunoassay (RIA). Of the cows thought to be in oestrus plasma, (n = 46) and milk (n = 58) samples demonstrated low progesterone concentrations ($0.99{\pm}0.11$ and $2.02{\pm}0.14nmol/l$) in 42 (91%) and 52 (90%) cases respectively. Thirty two (76%) and 30 (71%) cows were thought to be pregnant by plasma progesterone RIA ($20.23{\pm}1.03$ and $20.48{\pm}1.01nmol/l$) at days 20 and 24 respectively. At the same period, 40 (77%) and 37 (71%) cows were thought to be pregnant by milk progesterone RIA ($27.82{\pm}1.28$and $28.02{\pm}1.27nmol/l$). Assuming 100% accuracy for rectal examination of pregnancy diagnosis between days 60-65 postservice, the RIA was found to be 84% and 90% accurate for plasma and 84% and 92% accurate for milk at day 20 and 24, respectively. All cows thought to be non pregnant by progesterone measurement were correctly diagnosed. Progesterone assay at 24 days after oestrus may therefore be accurate for early diagnosis of pregnancy in Zebu cows.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.8
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• pp.1201-1207
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• 2007

This study compared the recovery rate of intrajugular-administered allantoin in the urine and saliva between swamp buffaloes and zebu cattle to examine whether it could explain the lower excretion rate of urinary purine derivatives (PD) in the buffaloes. Three male swamp buffalo yearlings, with an average body weight of $349{\pm}40.35$ kg, and three Thai native cattle ($154{\pm}3.26$ kg) of similar age and sex were used in the study. Animals were kept in individual pens and fed at a maintenance energy level with a diet containing 65% monk bean husk (Vigna radiata) as roughage and 35% concentrates. Allantoin solution was infused into the jugular vein in four incremental rates equivalent to 0, 5, 10 and 15 mmol/d and urine was collected daily in acidified form. Daily PD excretion was linearly correlated with intrajugular allantoin infusion in both species. The relationship between daily urinary PD excretion (Y, mmol/d) and intrajugular allantoin infused (X, mmol/d) was $Y=0.75{\pm}0.318X+22.45{\pm}2.98$ ($r^2$ = 0.36, n = 12, MSE = 38.02, CV = 21.9, p<0.01) for swamp buffaloes and $Y=0.96{\pm}0.10X+15.93{\pm}0.92$ ($r^2$ = 0.91, n = 12, MSE = 3.60, CV = 8.27, p<0.01) for zebu cattle. The salivary PD concentration was not correlated with intrajugular allantoin infusion in both species, with values for buffaloes numerically lower than those for cattle. The present study reconfirmed previous studies that buffaloes have a lower plasma PD excretion rate via the renal route and a significant proportion (22%) of the plasma PD loss is via the saliva. However, results of our present and previous studies suggest that differences in purine base (PB) metabolism between buffaloes and zebu cattle occur before the purine compounds reach the plasma pool.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.142-148
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• 2020

The research work was undertaken to determine an effective fertilization medium, sperm separation method and sperm capacitating agent for optimum in vitro fertilization (IVF) rates of indigenous zebu cow oocytes. In experiment 1, tissue culture medium (TCM 199), Tyrode's albumin lactate pyruvate (TALP) and Brackett and Oliphant (BO) medium were used as basic medium for IVF of oocytes of indigenous zebu cows. In experiment 2, three sperm separation methods namely centrifugation, swim up and percoll gradient methods were used for separation of motile and viable spermatozoa for IVF. In experiment 3, for capacitation of spermatozoa, IVF medium supplemented with the heparin, mixture of penicillamine, hypotaurine and epinephrine (PHE) or the combination of heparin with PHE were used for fertilization. In vitro culture (IVC) of presumptive zygotes was done in modified synthetic oviduct fluid (mSOF) medium using standard procedure 24 h after sperm-oocytes co-culture. The cleavage rate was determined to evaluate the efficacy of fertilization medium, sperm separation method and sperm capacitating agent 24 h after IVC. The cleavage rate was higher in oocytes fertilized in TALP (63.3%) than in TCM 199 (47.5%) (p < 0.05). The cleavage rate was higher in oocytes fertilized by spermatozoa separated by percoll gradient method (62.3%) than by centrifugation (51.6%) (p < 0.05). The cleavage rate of oocytes was higher when insemination was done with spermatozoa capacitated in TALP supplemented with heparin and PHE (61.3%) compared to control (40.9%) (p < 0.05). In conclusions, TALP based medium and percoll gradient sperm separation followed by capacitation with combination of heparin and PHE are suitable for IVF of indigenous zebu cow oocytes in Bangladesh.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.1718-1734
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• 2009

The aim of this review is to address some characteristics that influence meat quality. Genetic groups, nutrition, finishing systems and gender are the major factors that change carcass characteristics, chemical composition and fatty acid profile. Genetic groups that have zebu genes in their composition show higher hot carcass dressing than genetic groups without zebu genes. Genetic groups that have European breeds in their composition have higher marbling scores. On the other hand, genetic groups that have zebu breeds show low marbling scores. Bulls finished in feedlots present higher final weight than steers, cull cows and heifers. Fat thickness is one of the principal parameters that are affected by different gender. Cull cows (4.72 mm) and heifers (4.00 mm) present higher values than bulls (1.75 mm) and steers (2.81 mm). The major effects observed by different systems of termination are fat thickness and marbling. Crude protein presents variation due to nutrition. Nutrition influences variation of fatty acid profile. Genetic groups also influence fatty acid profile. Genetic groups that have zebu genes in their composition show high percentage of PUFA. The major class of fatty acids that is changed with nutrition is PUFA. The better ratios of PUFA/SFA and n-6/n-3 are found in Longissimus muscle of animals finished in pasture systems.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.327-333
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• 2015

The objectives of the present study were to select an effective basic medium including its hormone and protein supplementation for IVM of oocytes of indigenous zebu cows. The ovaries of cows were collected from slaughter house and the follicular fluid was aspirated from 2 to 8 mm diameter follicles. The COCs with more than 3 cumulus cell layers and homogenous cytoplasm were selected for maturation. The oocytes were matured in media for 24 hrs at $39^{\circ}C$ with 5% $CO_2$ in humidified air. The maturation of oocytes was evaluated by examining the presence of first polar body under microscope. An efficient basic medium was determined after culturing COCs in either TCM 199 or SOF medium in Experiment 1. An efficient hormone supplementation was determined after culturing COCs in either FSH or gonadotrophin supplemented TCM 199 in Experiment 2. An efficient protein supplementation was determined after culturing COCs in either FBS or Oestrous cow serum (OCS) supplemented TCM 199 in Experiment 3. The oocyte recovery rate per ovary was 3.35. The overall rate of IVM was 74.6%. The maturation rate was $75.5{\pm}3.9$ and $62.2{\pm}20.2%$ in TCM and SOF medium, respectively (P>0.05). The maturation rate of oocytes was significantly higher ($76.6{\pm}13.2%$) in FSH supplemented medium than gonadotrphin supplemented counterpart ($69.7{\pm}10.8%$) (P<0.05). The maturation rates of oocytes were $81.7{\pm}12.9$ and $85.7{\pm}12.7%$ in medium supplemented with FBS and OCS, respectively (P>0.05). In conclusions, both TCM 199 and SOF supplemented with either FBS or OCS, and FSH may be used as medium for IVM of indigenous zebu oocytes in Bangladesh.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.794-799
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• 2003

A study was conducted on 2102 records of 808 crossbred cows of various genetic groups maintained under 'All India Coordinated Research Project on Cattle' at C C S Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, over 25 years period (1968-1993) with an objective to assess and compare the amount of percent improvement and heterotic effect for different performance traits in various genetic groups produced under this programme. Survivability sharply and significantly declined from 1/2 to $3/4^th$ bred and further from $3/4^th$ to inter-se bred. This may be due to periodic and management differences in addition to the higher level of exotic inheritance and decreased heterotic effect over the filial generations. Jersey and Holstein Friesian crosses among 1/2 breds and their 50% inheritance among $3/4^th$ and inter-se breds had highest improvement and heterosis in reproduction and production traits respectively. Among inter se bred genetic groups, BFH (I) had no recombination loss in SP and CI, while FJH (I), JFH (I) and FBH (I) had on recombination loss in AFC, LY, LL and PE. The crossbreeding of zebu cows with exotic breeds brings about spectacular improvement in comparison to the performance of zebu breed, while conventional selection over several generation would lead to only modest improvement. In addition to additive effect, there was sufficient heterosis in Jersey crosses for reproduction and Holstein Friesian crosses for production performance. Three breed crosses with exotic inheritance between 50 and 75 percent incorporating genes (25 to 50%) from both of these breeds is the best combination for stabilization.