Characteristics of skin coat as well as the physiological status of F1 crossing Bali (Bos Sondaicus) x Angus (Bos Taurus) for early identification of adaptability in tropical environment

Abstract

Characteristics of skin and hair color in cattle, as well as the number of skin follicles, have an essential role in the process of adapting to the ambient temperature and humidity. Bali cattle (Bos Sondaicus) is an indigenous Indonesian cattle that is a tropical climate, has the characteristics of the light hair color crossing with Black Angus (Bos Taurus) from different species, subtropical climate. Objective: To know the changes in the skin and hair color characteristics of F1 crossing of Bos Sondaicus with Angus (Bos Taurus), and whether it affects its adaptability to the tropical environment. Methods: Twenty of F1 Angus x Bali cross cattle were studied for their characteristics of skin and hair color, a number of skin follicles as well as physiological status for early identification of adaptability in a tropical environment. Hair and skin color measured by the value of the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) method. Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was done to distinguish RGB values and the physiological status between crossed compare to local breed. Results: The results showed that the RGB values of crossed were significantly lower (P<0.05), had meant that darker and had fewer hair follicles (P<0.05) (15.18±2.24 vs. 21.38±4.33/mm2) which caused the skin surface temperature was higher (P<0.05)(35.41±1.14 vs. 34.31±2.27˚C). Although during the day, they had a higher physiological status (P<0.05) but still in the normal range. Conclusion: It concluded that although the skin and hair color became markedly darker, they still can adapt to the tropical environment, shown from body temperature, respiration rate, and pulses, as the gold standard for measures cattle's tolerance to environmental conditions.