Physiological status and genetic abnormalities of imported cattle in extreme Arctic zone conditions

Abstract

Blood in the body of animals performs various functions aimed at maintaining its vital activity. The main indicators of blood make it possible to judge the state of the body, since the processes associated with the growth, development of productivity. According to the researchers, the composition of peripheral blood is greatly influenced by the age of the animal, sex, physiological state, feeding and maintenance conditions. The current intensification of livestock development contributes to the strengthening of a number of adverse environmental factors that may lead to insufficient animal adaptation mechanisms. The most significant stress factor affecting the animal body is the seasonal factor. It was revealed that the most stressogenic for productive livestock are the winter and spring seasons of the year. At the same time, local (indigenous) animal breeds are well resistant to extreme environmental influences, but, as a rule, they have low productivity. Therefore, there has recently been a trend towards a qualitative improvement in livestock production in these areas by importing highly productive animals into them in order to acclimate them and use them to create new breeds based on crossing with natives. Yakut animals in the world gene pool of cattle in terms of distribution range occupy the northernmost part and are known for good adaptation abilities to harsh conditions of detention, resistance to many diseases. In world practice, there are no analogues to the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in animal husbandry as a self-functioning system in the Arctic. The history of the development of cattle breeding shows that due to extreme natural and climatic conditions in Yakutia, a special approach to breeding work is needed. This is primarily due to the prolonged winter stall period. The basis of rational zoning accurate knowledge of the history of their development and formation of adaptive capabilities should be established. In this regard, the study of adaptive features, morphophysiological systems that cause increased resistance of animals to adverse environmental factors, in particular, to low temperatures, is of great theoretical and practical importance. Currently, in the republic, many farms are engaged in breeding specialized breeds of cattle of the dairy and meat direction. At the same time, animals are imported not only from the central regions of Russia, but even from foreign countries. In recent years, 3683 goals have been brought to the territory of Yakutia. livestock, including dairy – 2377 heads (64.5%). Among the introduced cattle there are completely new breeds for cattle breeding in the republic - such as Hereford, Kalmyk, red steppe, red-variegated, black-variegated and Sychov.