State and ways of purposeful conservation of gray Ukrainian breed and its use in the future breed formation process

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The study of the gene pool of gray Ukrainian cattle on the basis of the State Enterprise “Polivanovka” was carried out in 2018–2020. They relied on retrospective and modern analysis of the population, using genetic, immunogenetic, breeding, zootechnical, statistical and biometric methods. The animals of this herd belong to two lines: Petushok 191U (62 %) and Shamrin XU-41 (38 %) and 20 families. They have a sturdy, dense and rough type of constitution. Average somatometric indicators correspond to the standard. The breed has good slaughter performance and beef properties. Slaughter yield in bulls reaches 58–59 %, fat – 2.5–3 %, protein: fat ratio – 1: 1.5, pulp in the carcass – 72–73 %, bones – 16–17 %, meat index – 4, 4–4.5. Animals with a high coefficient of inheritance pass on to their descendants specific breed characteristics (color, shape of horns, physique, acclimatization to various natural zones, adaptation to feeding conditions, increased resistance, small fruit size, long growth, stress resistance). The use of modern techniques made it possible to test erythrocyte antigens, serum proteins, isozyme erythrocytes and tissues, as well as polymorphism, the length of restriction DNA fragments. Of the 49 antigens of blood groups, 48 were found. There was a high frequency of them (45–92 %) A, G3, C1, C2, R2, W, X1, X2, E, F, Y, J, H1, Z and much lower ( 2–10 %) P1, P2, B1, J2, P1, R, C1, L, H2. Over the past 30 years, the number of alleles of the most informational system B has decreased from 41 to 14, among them breed-specific B, B2, G3, J1, Q, T1, G2, K, V, E, O. The narrowing of the allelic pool to this level indicates that the breed is on the verge of extinction. Analysis of biochemical markers of blood serum proteins albumin and post-albumin was found in three phenotypes AA, BB, and AB, post-transformation – also in three phenotypes FF, FS, and SS. In terms of hemoglobin, all studied animals of the herd are of type A. Restriction analysis of mitochondrial DNA revealed polymorphism only for endonuclease Eco 471. Modern selection and genetic methods are able to maintain and preserve the specific properties of the breed, its structure, and genetic variability. Their use in combination with technological methods helps to prevent the disappearance of livestock and provide it with a worthy place in the world heritage of genetic resources. Our proposals are summarized in the "Concept of purposeful conservation of gray Ukrainian cattle and their use in the further breed-forming process." Key words: cattle, gray Ukrainian breed, condition, direction of use, offers.