Alpine Cattle Research Articles

Management and housing factors associated with paratuberculosis-positive herds in small structured alpine cattle husbandry.

Paratuberculosis (Johne´s disease) is a world-wide cattle disease caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), associated with substantial economic losses. Purchase of subclinically infected animals or contact with animals and equipment of infected farms are known risk factors for disease transmission among herds. The aim of the present study was to identify specific management factors in Austria that triggered a MAP-positive herd status and to evaluate known risk factors for the transmission in cattle in small structured alpine agricultural systems. The agriculture in the Austrian province of Tyrol is characterized by smallholder structures, including shared alpine pastures and traditional barn management techniques. The data from an extensive survey with 50 questions in 2013/2014 and the development of the MAP herd status of 5592 cattle farms by taking feces and blood samples were examined and statistically evaluated. MAP herd status was determined by combining the results of boot swab samples, manure samples, pooled and individual feces samples as well as serological antibody testing by ELISA. The statistical analysis (odds ratio; OR) showed that the use of milk replacers for calf feeding (p=0.047, OR=0.472) and the use of straw as bedding material for cows (p=0.032, OR=0.625) were associated with a decreased chance of being a MAP-positive herd. Further, housing cows in deep litter systems (p=0.028, OR=2.232), the presence of slurry channels (p=0.028, OR=1.411) and the use of solid manure in young cattle (p=0.041, OR=1.744) were associated with an increased OR for being MAP-positive. Surprisingly, sharing of lowland pastures (p=0.564, OR=1.080), alpine pastures (p=0.419, OR=1.143) or farm equipment (p=0.733, OR=0.963) and farm size (p=0.425) had no significant influence on the MAP herd status. The identified differences compared with previously published results in respect of MAP spread in cattle might be attributed to the traditional agricultural structures, including small family-based farms and common pasture during summer in alpine regions. Results of this study contribute to the understanding of the spread of MAP in cattle farming in alpine regions.

Genomic regions underlying positive selection in local, Alpine cattle breeds.

We used genome-wide SNP data from 18 local cattle breeds from six countries of the Alpine region to characterize population structure and identify genomic regions underlying positive selection. The geographically close breeds Evolèner, Eringer, Valdostana Pezzata Nera, and Valdostana Castana were found to differ from all other Alpine breeds. In addition, three breeds, Simmental, and Original Braunvieh from Switzerland and Pinzgauer from Austria built three separate clusters. Of the 18 breeds studied, the intra-alpine Swiss breed Evolèner had the highest average inbreeding based on runs of homozygosity (FROH ) and the highest average genomic relationship within the breed. In contrast, Slovenian Cika cattle had the lowest average genomic inbreeding and the lowest average genomic relationship within the breed. We found selection signatures on chromosome 6 near known genes such as KIT and LCORL explaining variation in coat color and body size in cattle. The most prominent selection signatures were similar regardless of marker density and the breeds in the data set. In addition, using available high-density SNP data from 14 of the breeds we identified 47 genome regions as ROH islands. The proportion of homozygous animals was higher in all studied animals of local breeds than in Holstein and Brown Swiss cattle, the two most important commercial breeds in the Alpine region. We report ROH islands near genes related to thermoregulation, coat color, production, and stature. The results of this study serve as a basis for the search for causal variants underlying adaptation to the alpine environment and other specific characteristics selected during the evolution of local Alpine cattle breeds.

Identification of two new recessive MC1R alleles in red-coloured Evolèner cattle and other breeds.

Sequence variations in the melanocortin‐1 receptor (MC1R) gene are associated with melanism in different animal species. Six functionally relevant alleles have been described in cattle to date. In a hypothesis‐free approach we performed a genome‐wide allelic association study with black, red and wild‐coloured cattle of three Alpine cattle breeds (Eringer, Evolèner and Valdostana), revealing a single significant association signal close to the MC1R gene. We searched for candidate causative variants by sequencing the entire coding sequence and identified two novel protein‐changing variants. We propose designating the mutant alleles at MC1R:c.424C>T as ev1 and at MC1R:c.263G>A as ev2 . Both affect conserved amino acid residues in functionally important transmembrane domains (p.Arg142Cys and p.Ser88Asn). Both alleles segregate predominantly in the Swiss Evolèner breed. They occur in other European cattle breeds such as Abondance and Rotes Höhenvieh as well. We observed almost perfect association between the MC1R genotypes and the coat colour phenotype in a cohort of 513 black, red and wild‐coloured cattle. Animals carrying two copies of MC1R loss‐of‐function alleles or that were compound heterozygous for e, ev1 , or ev2 have a red to dark red (chestnut‐like red) coat colour. These findings expand the spectrum of causal MC1R variants causing recessive red in cattle.

The Wound of Time

The Wound of Time

Genome Wide Association Study of Beef Traits in Local Alpine Breed Reveals the Diversity of the Pathways Involved and the Role of Time Stratification.

Knowledge of the genetic architecture of key growth and beef traits in livestock species has greatly improved worldwide thanks to genome-wide association studies (GWAS), which allow to link target phenotypes to Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) across the genome. Local dual-purpose breeds have rarely been the focus of such studies; recently, however, their value as a possible alternative to intensively farmed breeds has become clear, especially for their greater adaptability to environmental change and potential for survival in less productive areas. We performed single-step GWAS and post-GWAS analysis for body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), carcass fleshiness (CF) and dressing percentage (DP) in 1,690 individuals of local alpine cattle breed, Rendena. This breed is typical of alpine pastures, with a marked dual-purpose attitude and good genetic diversity. Moreover, we considered two of the target phenotypes (BW and ADG) at different times in the individuals’ life, a potentially important aspect in the study of the traits’ genetic architecture. We identified 8 significant and 47 suggestively associated SNPs, located in 14 autosomal chromosomes (BTA). Among the strongest signals, 3 significant and 16 suggestive SNPs were associated with ADG and were located on BTA10 (50–60 Mb), while the hotspot associated with CF and DP was on BTA18 (55–62 MB). Among the significant SNPs some were mapped within genes, such as SLC12A1, CGNL1, PRTG (ADG), LOC513941 (CF), NLRP2 (CF and DP), CDC155 (DP). Pathway analysis showed great diversity in the biological pathways linked to the different traits; several were associated with neurogenesis and synaptic transmission, but actin-related and transmembrane transport pathways were also represented. Time-stratification highlighted how the genetic architectures of the same traits were markedly different between different ages. The results from our GWAS of beef traits in Rendena led to the detection of a variety of genes both well-known and novel. We argue that our results show that expanding genomic research to local breeds can reveal hitherto undetected genetic architectures in livestock worldwide. This could greatly help efforts to map genomic complexity of the traits of interest and to make appropriate breeding decisions.

MtDNA D-Loop Diversity in Alpine Cattle during the Bronze Age

The Bronze Age in Europe is characterized by major socio-economic changes, including certain aspects of animal husbandry. In the Alpine region archaeozoological data, though not very abundant, reveal that cattle were the most important domestic animals in this time period. They were probably used differently in the lowlands than at higher altitude, traction became more important and people increasingly exploited them for dairy products rather than for meat. Thus, a crucial question in this context is whether these major events are accompanied by changes in genetic diversity of cattle. Here we report partial mtDNA d-loop data (320 bp) obtained by PCR from 40 alpine cattle excavated at different sites in South Tyrol, Italy, and Grisons, Switzerland. Most cattle belong to the main European taurine T3 haplogroup, but a few members of T2 and Q haplogroups were identified. Moreover, genetic diversity measures and population genetic statistics indicate different cattle histories at different sites, including bottlenecks and potential admixture. However, Bronze Age Alpine cattle appear to be linked to modern rural cattle mainly from Italy.

Genome-wide characterisation of regions under intense selection based on runs of homozygosity in Charolais cattle

Submitted 2020-06-22 | Accepted 2020-07-20 | Available 2020-12-01 https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2020.23.mi-fpap.347-352 In this study, 68 genotyped purebred cows and bulls of Charolais cattle were used to determine runs of homozygosity (ROH) for evaluation of selection effect on the genome structure. ROH analysis was performed for 41,153 SNPs, and homozygous segments considering a minimum of 15 consecutive SNPs. The aim was to identify if regions of the genome with a high frequency of SNPs in ROH include signatures of selection. The most significant outlier SNPs were found on BTA2, 5, 7 and 19 (11 regions), with a sum of ROH length of 15.85 Mb. These regions contained genes included in various biological processes associated with the functioning of the immune system, growth, reproduction and metabolism. Various quantitative traits loci (QTLs) which affected the characteristics of meat production and reproduction have been identified in these regions. Overall, obtained results suggest that the Charolais cattle genome includes selection signatures reflecting the improvement of meat production and reproduction in accordance to breeding objecives. Keywords: artificial selection, autozygosity, beef, bovine, candidate genes References Aspatwar, A. et al. (2014). Carbonic anhydrase related proteins: molecular biology and evolution. Subcell. Biochem. 75: 135–156. Biscarini, F. et al. (2019). detectRUNS: an R package to detect runs of homozygosity and heterozygosity in diploid genomes. The R Project. Retrieved June 8, 2019 from https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/detectRUNS/vignettes/detectRUNS.vignette.html Dixit, S. P. et al. (2020). Genome-Wide Runs of Homozygosity Revealed Selection Signatures in Bos indicus. Front. Genet. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2020.00092 Gaudet, P. et al. (2011). Phylogenetic-based Propagation of Functional Annotations Within the Gene Ontology Consortium. Brief Bioinform, 12(5): 446-62. https://doi.org/10.1093/bib/bbr042 Chang, C.C. (2015). Second-generation PLINK: rising to the challenge of larger and richer datasets. GigaScience, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13742-015-0047-8 Jahuey-Martinez, F. L. et al. (2019). Signatures of selection in Charolais beef cattle identified by genome‐wide analysis. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics, 136(5). https://doi.org/10.1111/jbg.12399 Mallikarjunappa, S. et al. (2018) Short communication: Uncovering quantitative trait loci associated with resistance to Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis infection in Holstein cattle using a high-density single nucleotide polymorphism panel, Journal of Dairy Science, 101(8):7280-7286. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2018-14388 Marras, G. et al. (2015). Analysis of runs of homozygosity and their relationship with inbreeding in five cattle breeds farmed in Italy. Anim. Genet., 46, 110–121. https://doi.org/10.1111/age.12259 Mastrangelo, S. (2020). Genome‐wide detection of signatures of selection in three Valdostana cattle populations. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbg.12476 Mastrangelo, S. et al. (2019). Novel and known signals of selection for fat deposition in domestic sheep breeds from Africa and Eurasia. In PLoS ONE 14(6): e0209632. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0209632 McTavish E.J. (2013). New world cattle show ancestry from multiple independent domestication events. PNAS, 110(15): 1398–1406. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1303367110 Meszaros, G. et al. (2015) Genomic analysis for managing small and endangered populations: A case study in Tyrol Grey cattle. Front. Genet, 13(6):173. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2015.00173 Moravcikova, N. et al. (2019). Analysis of selection signatures in the beef cattle genome. Czech Journal of Animal Science, 64(12): 491–503. https://doi.org/10.17221/226/2019-CJAS Moravcikova, N. et al.(2018). Genomic Response to Natural Selection within Alpine Cattle Breeds. Czech J. Anim. Sci., 63(4):136-143. https://doi.org/10.17221/62/2017-CJAS Onzima, R. B. et al. (2018). Genome-Wide Characterisation of Selection Signatures and Runs of Homozygosity in Ugandan Goat Breeds. Front. Genet. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2018.00318 Patel, A. B. et al. (2017). Identification of single nucleotide polymorphism from Indian Bubalus bubalis through targeted sequence capture. Current Science, 112(6): 1230. ISSN 0011-3891 Pomichal. (2009) The breeding program of Charolais cattle. The Slovak Beef Breeders Association, cooperative. Retrieved June 8, 2019 from http://www.zchmd.eu/charolais Purfield, D.C. et al. (2012). Runs of homozygosity and population history in cattle. BMC Genet., 13, 70. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2156-13-70 Purfield, D.C. et al. (2017). The Distribution of Runs of Homozygosity and Selection Signatures in Six Commercial Meat Sheep Breeds. In PLoS ONE 12(5): e0176780. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0176780 Shi, L. et al. (2020). Estimation of inbreeding and identification of regions under heavy selection based on runs of homozygosity in a Large White pig population. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology, 11(46). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-020-00447-0 Szmatola, T. et al. (2019). A Comprehensive Analysis of Runs of Homozygosity of Eleven Cattle Breeds Representing Different Production Types. Animals, 9(12), https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9121024 Szmatola, T. et al. (2020). Detection of runs of homozygosity in conserved and commercial pig breeds in Poland. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbg.12482 The Breeding Services of the Slovak Republic, s.e. (2019). The results of beef and suckling cows performance recording in Slovak Republic, Year 2019. The Breeding Services of the Slovak Republic, s.e. Retrieved June 8, 2020 from http://test.plis.sk/volne/rocenkamagazin/rocenka.aspx?id=kump2019 Trukhachev, V. et al. (2015). Myostatin gene (MSTN) polymorphism with a negative effect on meat productivity in Dzhalginsky Merino sheep breed. In J.BioSci. Biotechnol. 4(2):191-199

The genetic heritage of Alpine local cattle breeds using genomic SNP data

BackgroundAssessment of genetic diversity and population structure provides important control metrics to avoid genetic erosion, inbreeding depression and crossbreeding between exotic and locally-adapted cattle breeds since these events can have deleterious consequences and eventually lead to extinction. Historically, the Alpine Arc represents an important pocket of cattle biodiversity with a large number of autochthonous breeds that provide a fundamental source of income for the entire regional economy. By using genotype data from medium-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays, we performed a genome-wide comparative study of 23 cattle populations from the Alpine Arc and three cosmopolitan breeds.ResultsAfter filtering, we obtained a final genotyping dataset consisting of 30,176 SNPs for 711 individuals. The local breeds showed high or intermediate values of genetic diversity compared to the highly selected cosmopolitan breeds. Patterns of genetic differentiation, multidimensional scaling, admixture analysis and the constructed phylogenetic tree showed convergence, which indicates the presence of gene flow among the breeds according to both geographic origin and historical background. Among the most differentiated breeds, we identified the modern Brown cattle. In spite of admixture events, several local breeds have preserved distinctive characteristics, which is probably due to differences in genetic origin and geographic location.ConclusionsThis study represents one of the most comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the Alpine cattle breeds to date. Using such a large dataset that includes the majority of the local breeds found in this region, allowed us to expand knowledge on the evaluation and status of Alpine cattle biodiversity. Our results indicate that although many of the analyzed local breeds are listed as endangered, they still harbor a large amount of genetic diversity, even when compared to some cosmopolitan breeds. This finding, together with the reconstruction of the phylogeny and the relationships between these Alpine Arc cattle breeds, provide crucial insights not only into the improvement of genetic stocks but also into the implementation of future conservation strategies.

BREEDING HERITAGE OF DAIRY-MEAT CATTLE OF UKRAINE – BROWN CARPATIAN CATTLE

The prolonged breeding process of transformation of primitive but adapted forms of brown color to the conditions of Transcarpathia region, by crossing to 1972 (breeding approbation) and improvement to 2014 (deprivation of the last breeding status of breeding status of Brown Carpathian cattle), in Ukraine, unfortunately lost its resources (breeding) for the existence of the Brown Carpathian cattle.
 The purpose of the study was to analyze the Brown Carpathian cattle by major economic useful features, livestock dynamics and genealogical structure.
 Materials and methods of research. The main research methods were retrospective and source-based analyzes, based on breeding books, registers and reports of breeding farms engaged in breeding Brown Carpathian cattle.
 The Brown Carpathian breed derives from ancient brown cattle, which settled all the medium Europe in ancient times. In Alpes region already in medieval times it gave rise to different types of high-productive Brown Alpine cattle, which was called on the place of its distribution. In Austria – Hornoin, France – Montafon, Switzerland – Swiss. Brown cattle of Transcarpathian region was called Rizhka. These cattle were small and low-productive, but it was unimproved almost till the beginning of 20-th century. Though at plains it was crossed with Grey Ukrainian cattle and get name “Mokan” (my horse in local language), as crosses were strong and enduring, characteristics, which inherent to Grey Ukrainian cattle. Their live weight was 200–300 kg, and wither height – not more, than 113 cm, milk production – not more, than 1200 kg.
 Transcarpathia is the beginning of transformation of brown cattle into the Brown Carpathian breed of the combined direction of productivity, because it was from this period that the import of improved livestock began.
 In 1972, by order of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Brown Carpathian cattle of cattle was approved and recognized as a domestic factory breed of dairy and meat direction of productivity.
 It should also be noted that the feature of the breeding process, according to which the newly formed breed absorbs local breeds, but in the future itself is absorbed by the neoplasm, or more productive population. Thus, the Brown Carpathian breed at the beginning of its formation by the method of absorption crossing reduced the number of local Gray Hungarian and Pinzgau breeds.
 In addition to the Transcarpathian, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi and Lviv regions of Ukraine, which were the basis for breeding of the Brown Carpathian breed, there were also exports of breeding stock beyond their borders. Thus, during 1964 ... 1974, 24.3 thousand heads were exported to other countries: Central Asia and the Caucasus, as well as Slovakia, Romania and Hungary. In addition, the Brown Carpathian breed participated in the creation of the Brown Caucasian breed as an improvement.
 According to O. M. Zabrovarny's description with co-authors, the compact body type of the Brown Carpathian cattle is adapted to the mountain and lowland zones of distribution of this breed. The authors note differences in the sexes of the body with some of their disadvantages. The horns have a light color with dark tips. Color of typical animals of the Brown Carpathian breed from light to dark brown. On the spine, around the nasal mirror a light color, also a light lower body, but without white spots. Dark are the nasal mirror, hoof horn, tail brush. Newborn calves have a greyish-gray to almost white, which darkens from 2 to 3 months of age.
 According to the meat productivity, animals of the Brown Carpathian breed have satisfactory values. Thus, the average daily gains of bulls are 750–900 g. The genetic potential of dairy productivity of cows of the Brown Carpathian breed is high and is at the level of 8 … 9 tons of milk.
 A characteristic feature of the Brown Carpathian cattle is the adaptation of the organism to the paratypical conditions of the mountain and lowland Transcarpathia, taking into account retention and feeding. The breed has two types: lowland (Berehiv, Vynohradiv, Mukachevo districts) and mountain (Rakhiv, Volovetsky, Mezhgirsky districts).
 In order to preserve the Brown Carpathian cattle as a national property, it is necessary to carry out expeditionary examination of domestic animals, to analyze and evaluate livestock. In our opinion, this can serve as a starting point for the establishment of a reserve or individual gene pool subject of the Brown Carpathian breed.
 Conclusions. The Brown Carpathian cattle belongs to the combined, dairy-meat direction of productivity. The cow's productivity is at the level of 3.5–4.5 thousand kg of milk with a fat content of 3.6–3.8%, the animals have satisfactory meat productivity. The peculiarity of the breed is its exceptional adaptation to the natural and climatic conditions of Transcarpathian Ukraine. The breed has a sufficient number of regional lines and families for distribution in Ukraine.

Making sense of ultrahigh-resolution movement data: A new algorithm for inferring sites of interest.

Decomposing the life track of an animal into behavioral segments is a fundamental challenge for movement ecology. The proliferation of high‐resolution data, often collected many times per second, offers much opportunity for understanding animal movement. However, the sheer size of modern data sets means there is an increasing need for rapid, novel computational techniques to make sense of these data. Most existing methods were designed with smaller data sets in mind and can thus be prohibitively slow. Here, we introduce a method for segmenting high‐resolution movement trajectories into sites of interest and transitions between these sites. This builds on a previous algorithm of Benhamou and Riotte‐Lambert (2012). Adapting it for use with high‐resolution data. The data’s resolution removed the need to interpolate between successive locations, allowing us to increase the algorithm’s speed by approximately two orders of magnitude with essentially no drop in accuracy. Furthermore, we incorporate a color scheme for testing the level of confidence in the algorithm's inference (high = green, medium = amber, low = red). We demonstrate the speed and accuracy of our algorithm with application to both simulated and real data (Alpine cattle at 1 Hz resolution). On simulated data, our algorithm correctly identified the sites of interest for 99% of “high confidence” paths. For the cattle data, the algorithm identified the two known sites of interest: a watering hole and a milking station. It also identified several other sites which can be related to hypothesized environmental drivers (e.g., food). Our algorithm gives an efficient method for turning a long, high‐resolution movement path into a schematic representation of broadscale decisions, allowing a direct link to existing point‐to‐point analysis techniques such as optimal foraging theory. It is encoded into an R package called SitesInterest, so should serve as a valuable tool for making sense of these increasingly large data streams.

Size diversity in Swiss Bronze Age cattle.

To date, osteometric data for Swiss Bronze Age cattle, particularly from Alpine sites, are scarce. In the present study, using a large dataset generated by combining preexisting data with recent data obtained from a large Alpine site, cattle size from the Late Neolithic to the Late Bronze Age (LBA) in populations from different sites and regions was evaluated using the logarithmic size index and other statistical analysis. Additionally, the finite mixture model and a meta‐analytic technique were used to observe possible effects of sex ratios on cattle size. Results indicated that sex ratios did not affect size distribution. Cattle populations did not differ over time, but the Alpine cattle were smaller than the Central Plateau cattle. There were two distinct sizes in the Alpine cattle populations. It is suggested that the different economic interrelationships between Alpine and other geographically related communities might have led to the emergence of size diversity in Swiss Bronze Age cattle. Further interdisciplinary studies with larger sample sizes are required to confirm these possibilities.

Genomic response to natural selection within alpine cattle breeds

The aim of this study was to analyse the genomic regions that have been target of natural selection with respect to identifying the loci responsible mainly for fitness traits across six alpine cattle breeds. The genome-wide scan for selection signatures was performed using genotyping data from totally 465 animals. After applying data quality control, overall 35 873 single nucleotide polymorphisms were useable for the subsequent analysis. The detection of genomic regions affected by natural selection was carried out using the approach of principal component analysis. The analysis was based on the assumption that markers extremely related to the population structure are also candidates for local adaptation potential of the population. Based on the expected false discovery rate equal to 10% up to 1138 loci were identified as outliers. The strongest signals of selection were found in genomic regions on BTA 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 11, 13, and 22. Most genes located in the identified regions have been previously associated with immunity system as well as body growth and muscle formation that mainly reflect the pressure of both natural and artificial selection in respect to adaptation of analysed breeds to the local environmental conditions. The results also signalized that those regions represent a correlated selection response in way to maintain the fitness of analysed breeds.

Alpine cattle management during the Bronze Age at Ramosch-Mottata, Switzerland

Based on a series of new radiocarbon dates we examine the vertical mobility of cattle in the Alps by means of strontium isotope analysis on samples from the prehistoric settlement of Ramosch-Mottata (Canton of Grisons, Switzerland). By identifying variations in the strontium isotope ratios of high-crowned cattle molars, we investigate the seasonal use of alpine pastures (vertical transhumance) and changes in cattle husbandry practices between the early and later stages of the site's occupation. Combined with the evidence of multiple high-altitude sites, indications of dairying and ethno-archeological observations, we see an economic shift and a reorganization of domestic animal exploitation from the early to the late Bronze/early Iron Age in the Alps.

Ellis-van Creveld Syndrome in Grey Alpine Cattle: Morphologic, Immunophenotypic, and Molecular Characterization.

Ellis-van Creveld (EvC) syndrome is a human autosomal recessive disorder caused by a mutation in either the EVC or EVC2 gene, and presents with short limbs, polydactyly, and ectodermal and heart defects. The aim of this study was to understand the pathologic basis by which deletions in the EVC2 gene lead to chondrodysplastic dwarfism and to describe the morphologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular hallmarks of EvC syndrome in cattle. Five Grey Alpine calves, with a known mutation in the EVC2 gene, were autopsied. Immunohistochemistry was performed on bone using antibodies to collagen II, collagen X, sonic hedgehog, fibroblast growth factor 2, and Ki67. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed to analyze EVC1 and EVC2 gene expression. Autopsy revealed long bones that were severely reduced in length, as well as genital and heart defects. Collagen II was detected in control calves in the resting, proliferative, and hypertrophic zones and in the primary and secondary spongiosa, with a loss of labeling in the resting zone of 2 dwarfs. Collagen X was expressed in hypertrophic zone in the controls but was absent in the EvC cases. In affected calves and controls, sonic hedgehog labeled hypertrophic chondrocytes and primary and secondary spongiosa similarly. FGF2 was expressed in chondrocytes of all growth plate zones in the control calves but was lost in most EvC cases. The Ki67 index was lower in cases compared with controls. EVC and EVC2 transcripts were detected. Our data suggest that EvC syndrome of Grey Alpine cattle is a disorder of chondrocyte differentiation, with accelerated differentiation and premature hypertrophy of chondrocytes, and could be a spontaneous model for the equivalent human disease.

Bos indicusintrogression into (peri-)alpine cattle breeds - evidence from the analysis of bovine whey protein variants

The major bovine whey proteins, α-lactalbumin (α-LA) and β-lactoglobulin (β-LG), exhibit breed-specific genetic variation. The aim of this study was to identify possible new protein variants and determine the distribution of variants across a variety of 18 taurine and indicine cattle breeds applying a DNA-based sequencing approach. To this end, the open reading frames of the respective genes (LALBA and LGB) were sequenced in 476 animals. Within the LALBA gene, a previously unknown synonymous and a previously undesignated non-synonymous nucleotide exchange were identified. Furthermore, two known α-LA variants (A and B) and four known β-LG variants (A, B, C and W) were determined. The occurrence of typical indicine variants in some taurine cattle breeds, such as Suisse Eringer, German Hinterwälder and Hungarian Grey Steppe, further supports the hypothesis of ancient Bos indicus introgression into (peri-)alpine cattle breeds.

Investigations of variability of morphometric characteristics in Busa and Gatacko cattle in order to preserve autochthonous genome

With the objective of studying and protecting genomes of autochthonous breeds of cattle, investigations were performed of the variability of morphometric characteristics of the autochthonous breeds Busa and Gatacko cattle, as well as a retrospective analysis of the development of the examined populations. The investigations covered 97 cows, specifically 22 head of western Herzegovina Busa cattle, 24 head of eastern Herzegovina Busa cattle, and 51 head of Gatacko cattle. Morphometric measurements were examined: height at withers, body length, foot circumference, and chest girth. The obtained data were processed statistically, and variability was established using simple variance analysis with an unequal number of repetitions. The significance of the obtained differences from the three investigated localities was tested using the F test and t-test. A significant degree of variability was established for the morphological characteristics within the examined populations, as well as between the populations. The established differences are primarily a result of the influence of different natural conditions and breeding conditions, as well as the genome share of Alpine cattle, with which the Busa has been crossbred.

A new balanced autosomal reciprocal translocation in cattle revealed by banding techniques and human-painting probes

Three hundred and twenty-two (264 males and 58 females), randomly sampled Grey Alpine cattle individuals from Northeastern Italy, were investigated cytogenetically by both conventional chromosome staining and R-banding. Two hundred and eighty-one (87%) individuals had a normal karyotype and 41 (13%) carried chromosomal aberrations such as (a) rob(1;29) in two individuals, (b) rob(26;29) in 36 individuals, (c) XX/XY-chimerism in two individuals, and (d) an abnormally long chromosome in one individual. All these aberrations except (d) have been described before. GBG-, RBG-, CBA-banding and sequential GBG/CBA- and RBG/CBA-banding techniques revealed that the abnormally long chromosome was the result of a reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 1 (q21→qter) and 5 (q11→q33), as confirmed also by chromosome painting with human chromosome 3 and 12 probes. The dam of the carrier bull carried the same translocation, while the grandam showed a normal karyotype. Since the sire of the dam was not available for study, no conclusion about the origin of the chromosome translocation could be drawn. The carrier bull was eliminated because of poor fertility. The dam had three other calves, which all were chromosomally normal. On average the dam had to be served 2.5 times (breed average was 1.2) to be in calf.

AT&S GmbH, Leoben‐Hinterberg, Austria

When is an error not an error? A certain logistical error was made by this reporter, who, in the knowledge that AT&S have a facility at Engerwitzdorf close to Linz, duly caught a flight to Linz airport—only to discover that the next day's itinerary would begin with a 7.30 a.m. pick‐up for the 180 km journey to Hinterberg, where the actual PCB manufacturing plant is located! However, the touristic advantages made it unquestionably worth while. The day was hot and sunny, the sky cloudless. The journey from Linz, Austria's second largest city, along the Enns valley, passed through gently rolling landscape giving way to Alpine scenery at its most lush and verdant after the less settled weather of the early summer. Tree‐clad hills dotted with trim chalets, the soft brown coloured Alpine cattle grazing lazily, cool lakes and rivers with that greenness imparted by limestone, and in the villages en route every balcony a profusion of brightly coloured blooms.

Genetic gain and conservation in a small alpine cattle breed

Genetic gain and conservation in a small alpine cattle breed