Animal Genetic Resources Research Articles

Analysis of genome and methylation changes in Chinese indigenous chickens over time provides insight into species conservation

Conservation of natural resources is a vital and challenging task. Numerous animal genetic resources have been effectively conserved worldwide. However, the effectiveness of conservation programmes and the variation information of species have rarely been evaluated. Here, we performed whole-genome and whole-genome bisulfite sequencing of 90 Chinese indigenous chickens, which belonged to the Tibetan, Wenchang and Bian chicken breeds, and have been conserved under different conservation programmes. We observed that low genetic diversity and high DNA methylation variation occurs during ex situ in vivo conservation, while higher genetic diversity and differentiation occurs during in situ conservation. Further analyses revealed that most DNA methylation signatures are unique within ex situ in vivo conservation. Moreover, a high proportion of differentially methylated regions is found in genomic selection regions, suggesting a link between the effects of genomic variation and DNA methylation. Altogether our findings provide valuable information about genetic and DNA methylation variations during different conservation programmes, and hold practical relevance for species conservation.

State of conservation of animal genetic resources in Slovakia

To effectively conserve animal genetic resources, countries need to periodically review their conservation efforts and reflect on actual problems and challenges. This study provides a review of animal genetic resources conservation activities, as well as the related existing legislative measures, strategies and funding in Slovakia. We present the development of endangered and supported breeds, discuss the impact of subsidies and the importance of awareness raising, and provide a SWOT analysis of the current animal genetic resources conservation framework in the country. In Slovakia, conservation is primarily based on animal breeding in natural conditions (in situ) without any limitations to breed improvement, and cryoconservation of animal genetic resources is in its initial phase. Most of the funding for conservation measures is provided by the Rural Development Programme. In general, the animal genetic resources system in Slovakia is open in terms of including new breeds eligible for support and this paper shows that the provided subsidies helped to stabilize most of the supported populations. Promoting the presence, characteristics and advantages of local breeds in times of intensive import of exotic breeds into the country is crucial to motivate breeders to prefer local livestock breeds. While the future challenge for the government is to improve conservation and facilitate related activities, research should address not only diversity, pedigree studies and cryoconservation, but also focus on the characterization of animal genetic resources for food security and climate change.

Application of Microsatellite Markers for Genetic Diversity Analysis of Indonesian Local Cattle

Animal genetic resources (AnGR), including cattle, have been valuable national assets that need to be preserved and developed. There are at least 16 recognized breeds of cattle that have been registered as local and new breeds by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia. Conservation and development programs of these local cattle breeds require basic information regarding their genetic diversity, relationships, and structures. There are several types of DNA markers that can be used for genetic diversity analysis, such as microsatellite markers. Microsatellites or short tandem repeats (STRs) are a group of DNA sequences consisting of tandemly repeated units (1–6 bp), which are abundant throughout the genome and can be found in both coding and non-coding regions. The primary advantages of microsatellites are that they are inherited in a Mendelian pattern (codominant markers), high polymorphism rates, and high abundances throughout the genome. The aim of this review is to discuss the application of microsatellite markers for genetic diversity analysis in Indonesian local cattle based on 3 indices: number alleles per locus, expected heterozygosity (He), and polymorphisms information content (PIC). There are at least 28 microsatellite markers that have been studied in Indonesian local cattle, with the number of alleles per locus ranging from 2 to 32, He values ranging from 0.100 to 0.985, and PIC values from 0.095 to 0.935. Based on the PIC values, several microsatellites are classified as highly informative, e.g. BM1824, ILST6, TGLA126, TGLA53, TGLA227, TGLA122, ETH225, INRA23, SPS113, SPS115, BM1818, CSSM66, ETH10, INRA005, INRA037, ETH185, HEL017, and ILSTS029. Therefore, these microsatellite markers can be potentially used for future genetic diversity analysis of other breeds of cattle.

SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITY OF TROTSKYI PETRO ANATOLIYOVYCH – THE MASTER OF AGRICULTURE (to the 55th anniversary of the birth)

The purpose of the article is to highlight the scientific achievements of P. A. Trotskyi, the Master of Agriculture, the biotechnologist in the field of animal husbandry, and his contribution to the development of research in biotechnology, the preservation of the gene pool of agricultural animals. Research methods are general scientific (analysis, bibliographic), retrospective and source studies.
 The scientific novelty of the article lies in the presentation of the results of P. A. Trotskyi's scientific works, which contribute to solving the problem of preserving animal husbandry resources and improving methods of long-term preservation of genetic material. Among them: the development of new biotechnological methods of cryopreservation of gametes of farm animals to implement the objectives of the methodology of the Bank of Animal Genetic Resources at the cellular level using embryological genetics methods; the use of deconserved oocytes for the rational use of the genetic potential of highly productive and breeding females and obtaining more offspring from them.
 The researcher was directly involved in the development of methodological aspects of the preservation of the gene pool of farm animals, which include a description of the main stages of obtaining embryos of farm animals in vivo and in vitro, their quality assessment and cryopreservation procedures. One of the main ways of implementing industry-wide programs to preserve and maintain the diversity and specificity of gene pool objects is the functioning of the Bank of Animal Genetic Resources. Together with his colleagues, the scientist defined its role in programs of cryopreservation of genetic resources, described the main requirements for the physical structure of the bank, its tasks and functions in the system of preservation, reproduction and selection of agricultural animals.
 The results of P. A. Trotskyi's scientific developments were taken into account in the preparation of "Methods of scientific research on breeding, genetics and biotechnology in animal husbandry" (2005) and "Program for the preservation of the gene pool of the main species of agricultural animals in Ukraine for the period until 2015" (2009). With the participation of the scientist, a cryocollection of 44 eggs of the Myrhorod breed was created in the Bank of Animal Genetic Resources, which is necessary for the accelerated recovery and preservation of local pig breeds of Ukraine. Based on the functioning of the Bank, the methodology of cryopreservation of genetic resources of agricultural animals will be implemented, including as "virtual gene pool cryoherds".

New Insight into the Genome-Wide Diversity and Admixture of Six Colombian Sheep Populations

Creole sheep represent a strategic genetic resource for populations living in marginal areas under financial restrictions on the American continent. Six Colombian sheep breeds (two wool (BCL-Boyacá and NCL-Nariño, 12 and 14 samples) and four hair (OPCE-Ethiopian, 54 samples; OPCS-Sudan, 74 samples; OPCP-Pelibeuy, 59 samples; OPCW-Wayúu, 24 samples) were genotyped using the Illumina Ovine SNP50 BeadChip. Data was also included from international 44 breeds from International Sheep Genomics Consortium (ISGC) and from data published in previous a previous work on the Caribbean and African breeds. Although geographically separated, wool (NCL, BCL) and hair types (OPCE, OPCS, OPCW) presented little genetic differentiation (FST 0.05) at a global level but several groups of animals separated suggesting local clustering due to geographical isolation. The OPCP underwent a recent crossing with Mexican Pelibuey, explaining its differentiation. Findings in this work such as the proximity to West African Djallonké (WAD) and Barbados Black Belly (BBB), suggest different introductions of African type animals from the Caribbean region on a pre-existing genetic basis formed by animals deriving from the first importations coming from Europe in colonial times. As expected, Colombian wool breeds showed, in particular in Admixture software results, a greater genomic component in common with European breeds and in particular with Iberian ones (Churra). This study provides a basis for future research into the genetic diversity within and between the Colombian sheep breeds analysed, and scientific data for policy decisions on Farm Animal Genetic Resources (FAnGR).

POLISSIAN CATTLE BREED

POLISSIAN CATTLE BREED

Farmers using local livestock biodiversity share more than animal genetic resources: Indications from a workshop with farmers who use local breeds

Recognizing the products from farms that use local breeds is key to in situ conservation of local animal biodiversity. Recognition often focuses on a small number of specific breeds or products but could be expanded to include multiple local breeds and products. This paper shows that several farmers who use local breeds can share principles among the multiple dimensions of their farming systems. We analyzed the exchanges among nine farmers who use local breeds on the different dimensions of their farming systems at a workshop held in November 2017. We present the principles they shared and discuss (i) the fact that bringing the principles to the fore requires a collective participatory approach, (ii) the fact that shared principles may also concern dimensions often neglected in livestock farming systems approaches, and (iii) how a collective participatory approach can help recognize the products and activities of farmers who use local breeds.

Preliminary Results Regarding the Genetic History of a Native Horse Breed- Genetic Relationship between Sire Stallions and Broodmares

Background: This study is a part of an ample research concerning the genetic history of Hucul horse breed. The genetic analysis studies are part of animal genetic resources Management because just start of them we elaborate the strategies for inbreeding management. The itself genetic relationship of a population is the average genetic relationship of all individuals between them, existing at a time. Therefore, this parameter can be described three components: the genetic relationship between stallions, between mother mares themselves and the genetic relationship between stallions and mares. The last component is most important because of the average population inbreeding increases in successive generations. Methods: The research was carried out during 2012-2020. The material are represented by genealogical information from reproductive nucleus of Hucul breed from Lucina studfarm. The sample extracted from population was represented by seven sire stallions and seventy-three broodmares. The method are based on A matrix coefficients. All analysis were performed in the profile laboratories of Animal Sciences Faculties from Bucharest and Timisoara. Result: Between individual average genetic relationship values of stallions with mares, is found significant differences, highlighted by the global test of homogeneity test (F = 4.891). These differences allow us to assert that, through stallions selection, is made a reproductive discrimination much more intense than in mares case. The average genetic relationship of the population was calculated at 0.1941±0.0053.

Genome-Wide Association Study of Body Weight Trait in Yaks.

Simple SummaryThe yak is the largest mammal in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau and also supplies necessary sources of food and finance for the Tibetan people. Their body weight is a valuable trait for breeding. In the traditional breeding processes, pedigree data were used to evaluate individual genetic potency ability. However, based on the free range husbandry and random mating in domesticated yaks, the genetic improvement in yaks’ body weight is still very slow. In this study, we performed a genome-wide association study using whole genome sequencing data to detect the potential functional genes for body weight in yaks. In total three functional genes were identified as being associated with body weight. The results of this study are important for developing and improving body weight in yaks.The yak is the largest meat-producing mammal around the Tibetan Plateau, and it plays an important role in the economic development and maintenance of the ecological environment throughout much of the Asian highlands. Understanding the genetic components of body weight is key for future improvement in yak breeding; therefore, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were performed, and the results were used to mine plant and animal genetic resources. We conducted whole genome sequencing on 406 Maiwa yaks at 10 × coverage. Using a multiple loci mixed linear model (MLMM), fixed and random model circulating probability unification (FarmCPU), and Bayesian-information and linkage-disequilibrium iteratively nested keyway (BLINK), we found that a total of 25,000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were distributed across chromosomes, and seven markers were identified as significantly (p-values < 3.91 × 10−7) associated with the body weight trait,. Several candidate genes, including MFSD4, LRRC37B, and NCAM2, were identified. This research will help us achieve a better understanding of the genotype–phenotype relationship for body weight.

Conservation of animal genetic resources in India-Public aspect

Conservation of animal genetic resources in India-Public aspect

Heritage with cows. Conserving Nordic human and nonhuman animals

ABSTRACT This paper takes a critical heritage approach to understanding the ways that the conservation of Nordic Mountain cows gets animated as a form of Nordic heritage. Today, Nordic Mountain cows are found in the Northern regions of Norway, Finland, and Sweden. Based on an archive of mediated material (websites, YouTube videos, and social media activism), policy documents as well as interviews with Nordic farm animal genetic resources directors, the paper analyzes how conservation becomes imagined. Viewing the conservation of Nordic Mountain cows as entangled with imaginaries of traditional ways of life, a Northern Nordic (endangered) landscape, and the potential for high quality, ethically sound Nordic heritage products; conservation gets imagined as a rescue technology preserving ‘native’ and ‘endangered’ breeds in the making of sustainable consumer goods and Nordic cultural heritage. The conservation of Nordic Mountain cows goes beyond the potentially endangered species, however, to the reiteration of Nordic exceptionalism and the promise of a pure (and white) Nordic biocultural refuge of human-nonhuman animal relations.

Strategies for promoting sustainable use and conservation of indigenous chicken breeds in Sub-Saharan Africa: Lessons from low-income countries

This review explores innovative and sustainable strategies for the utilization and conservation of indigenous chickens (IC) (Gallus domesticus) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), drawing lessons from selected low-income countries. Small-scale farmers (SSF) have kept IC for hundreds of years to meet their households' nutritional needs, incomes, and social-cultural and religious uses. The commitment exhibited by SSF to keeping IC has made them the significant custodians of essential animal genetic resources AnGR in most low-income countries. Between 1991 and 2012, Zambia's private breeders invested over US$95 million in the commercial poultry sector, resulting in over a 100% increase in the annual production of day-old chicks to 65 million. However, high production costs and low market access hindered rural farmers' full participation, hence their continued dependence on IC breeds. The erosion of AnGR poses the biggest threat to IC in SSA. The Food and Agriculture Organisation, an international body of the United Nations, highlighted that over 3.5% of chicken breeds were extinct, 33% were at risk, and nearly 67% were of unknown status. Poultry diseases, lack of sustainable conservation strategies and poor use have significantly contributed to these losses. In 2012, 60% of IC were reportedly diseased in parts of SSA. The continued loss of IC-AnGR may negatively impact rural livelihoods, and future research and breeding programs in poultry may suffer. This paper reviews IC sector in parts of SSA, the socioeconomic, cultural and religious roles of IC and lessons on researcher-community-stakeholder strategies from selected low-income countries. The paper draws a conclusion and outlines some recommendations for future research.

Short Communication: The population number of Pelung chickens in West Java, Indonesia

Abstract. Asmara IY, Garnida D, Indrijani H. 2022. Short Communication: The population number of Pelung chickens in West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 3373-3378. Domestic farm animals or, Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR), are part of the global biodiversity. The existence of AnGR, mainly local breeds, is threatened, and their population data is still far from complete. This study provides information about Pelung chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus), a local chicken breed in Indonesia. The purpose of this study was to offer an overview of the population, effective population size, and inbreeding rate of Pelung chickens in four regencies in West Java, Indonesia. The method used in this study was a survey of fanciers and breeders of Pelung. Interviews were conducted to reveal the production system and population data. The data were analyzed descriptively and then calculated to estimate the effective population size (Ne) as well as the rate of inbreeding (?F). This preliminary survey indicated that there was a change in the distribution of the Pelung chicken, in which Garut Regency has the largest population number of Pelung, with 5664 birds of all ages. In this study, Pelung chickens in different areas had high Ne (267-569), and the ?F can be considered fairly low (0.09-0.19). The results of the study are probably the first documentation of the population number of Pelung chickens in at least ten years. This research is the initial study that forms the basis for conducting a comprehensive survey on the Pelung chicken. This study offers an upper limit result of Ne, so that accurate diversity parameter such as using genomic information is required.

Relevance of the production system for the sustainability of conservation and breeding programs for the Creole cattle in Pasorapa, Bolivia

Local livestock breeds play an important role in the food security of smallholders in developing countries in the Global South. They are also a reservoir of potentially valuable genes for adaptation of global animal genetic resources. The Creole cattle population from Pasorapa, Bolivia, is threatened by effects of climate change and unplanned crossbreeding. The aim of this study was to assess the current situation in this population and to evaluate factors to be considered before implementing conservation and genetic improvement programs in order to achieve the sustainable development goals 1, 2, 13 and 15, which refer to no poverty, zero hunger, climate change and life on land, respectively. We examined and analyzed the most important elements related to the production system and farmers’ perceptions that could affect the design of such programs. Open-ended and closed-ended questionnaires and interviews were performed with 81 smallholders from 11 communities in Pasorapa. A rearing system based on two stages and animals feeding mainly on native plants during both, involves a strong interaction between the environment and the production system. A survey of farmers’ perceptions about diseases, mortality causes, and selection criteria revealed that farmers in Pasorapa consider coat color an important trait when selecting breeding and replacement animals. Half of all interviewees perceived an association between coat color and traits such as temperament, milk yield, and beef production. In a SWOT analysis we discussed the vulnerability of the system to climate change impacts and the contribution of this traditional system to rural mitigation. Overall, this work revealed the importance of this local ecotype and identified key factors to consider when developing breeding and conservation programs.

Within- and between-Breed Selection Signatures in the Original and Improved Valachian Sheep.

Simple SummaryEach country has their own national breeds that are well adapted to the local climate and other conditions. Our study examines two national sheep breeds from Slovakia, the Original and the Improved Valachian sheep. The main goal of the study was to identify parts of their genome which contain genes enabling such adaptations. These are the so called selection signatures. Within the breed we look for genomic regions that were remarkably similar among a large proportion of genotyped individuals. The results point towards adaptation to high altitude pastures and resistance to parasites. The signatures of selection between the Original and Improved Valachian sheep focus on regions with striking difference in the same region of the genome between the two breeds. These results highlighted genes that improve the milk, meat and wool production, and their quality characteristics.This study explored the genomic diversity and selection signatures in two Slovakian national breeds, the Original Valachian and the Improved Valachian sheep. As they are an important animal genetic resource within the country, but with decreasing population size, our aim is to identify potentially valuable genomic regions. A total of 97 sheep (18 male and 79 female) from the Original Valachian, and 69 sheep (25 male and 44 female) from the Improved Valachian populations were genotyped using the GeneSeek GGP Ovine 50 K chip. The inbreeding levels were assessed with runs of homozygosity (ROH). The selection signatures within breeds were identified based on the top 1% of most homozygous regions within the breed, the so-called ROH islands. The selection signatures between breeds were assessed based on variance in linkage disequilibrium. Overall, we have identified selection signatures with quantitative trait loci (QTL) and genes pointing towards all three production purposes of the Valachian sheep, milk, meat, and wool, including their quality characteristics. Another group with apparent large importance was the various traits related to health and resistance to parasites, which is well in line with the sturdy nature of this breed.

The Cryopreserved Sperm Traits of Various Ram Breeds: Towards Biodiversity Conservation.

Simple SummaryBiodiversity protection is one of our most important challenges today. Local animal breeds, as an essential piece of cultural heritage, form integral part of the biodiversity of individual countries and regions. Cryopreservation of sperm is one of the powerful tools for the conservation of animal genetic resources by creation of gene banks containing long-term stored genetic material. Cryopreservation of ram sperm faces several obstacles, such as the possible influence of individuality and breed characteristics on resistance to damage caused by low temperatures. In our research, we deal with the investigation of these differences between various breeds bred in Central Europe.The aim of our research was to compare three Slovak sheep breeds in the quality parameters of cryopreserved sperm. The ejaculates of Slovak Dairy (SD), Native Wallachian (NW), and Improved Wallachian (IW) sheep rams (n = 12) were collected by electro-ejaculation. Heterospermic samples were created from suitable ejaculates, separately for each breed (at least 90% of total and 80% of progressive motility). Samples were equilibrated in a Triladyl® diluent and frozen by automated freezing. Sperm samples were subjected to the motility, morphology, (CASA), viability and apoptosis (DRAQ7/Yo-Pro-1), fertilizing capability (penetration/fertilization test (P/F) in vitro) and acrosomal status (transmission electron microscopy) assays before freezing and after thawing. It was found that there were no significant differences (p < 0.05) between the evaluated breeds in motility, viability, apoptosis, morphological properties, and fertilizing ability of cryopreserved sperm. Significant differences occurred in acrosomal status. Our results demonstrate that the use of the selected cryopreservation protocol is suitable for at least three different sheep breeds, which can greatly benefit the biodiversity protection and simplifies the creation of an animal genetic resources gene bank.

Strategies of promoting sustainable use and conservation of indigenous chicken breeds in Zambia: lessons from low-income countries

This review explores innovative and sustainable strategies for conservation and use of village or indigenous chickens (IC) ( Gallus domesticus) in Zambia with lessons in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Small scale farmers (SSF) have kept IC for hundreds of years to meet their households’ nutritional needs, incomes, social-cultural and religious uses. The commitment exhibited by SSF to keeping indigenous animals has made them the major custodians of essential animal genetic resources in most low-income regions. Between 1991 and 2012, private breeders invested over US$95 million in Zambia’s commercial poultry sector resulting in over 100% increase in the annual production of day-old chicks to 65 million. However, high production costs and low market access hindered the participation of rural farmers hence their continued dependence on IC breeds. The future of IC genetic resources is threatened due to their rapid erosion. In the 2015 biodiversity status report, the Food and Agriculture Organisation, an international body of the United Nations highlighted that over 3.5% of chicken breeds were extinct, nearly 33% were at high risk, and over 67% were of unknown status. Poultry diseases, lack of sustainable conservation strategies and poor use have significantly contributed to these losses. For example, in 2012, 60% of village chickens were reportedly diseased in parts of SSA. If these challenges are not mitigated, the loss of IC genetic resources and the adverse impact on rural communities is inevitable. Further, future research and breeding programs on commercial chickens may be limited due to the erosion of IC genetic resources. This paper reviews lessons and contributes to previous studies that demonstrated how community-based breeding programs and researcher-community-stakeholder engagements potentially enhanced sustainability, adoption of innovative ideas and conservation of local animal genetic resources in selected low-income countries. Further, suggest strategies to promote judicious use and conservation of IC breeds in Zambia.

Capturing Genetic Diversity and Selection Signatures of the Endangered Kosovar Balusha Sheep Breed.

There is a growing concern about the loss of animal genetic resources. The aim of this study was to analyze the genetic diversity and potential peculiarity of the endangered Kosovar sheep breed Balusha. For this purpose, a dataset consisting of medium-density SNP chip genotypes (39,879 SNPs) from 45 Balusha sheep was generated and compared with SNP chip genotypes from 29 individuals of a second Kosovar breed, Bardhoka. Publicly available SNP genotypes from 39 individuals of the relatively closely located sheep breeds Istrian Pramenka and Ruda were additionally included in the analyses. Analysis of heterozygosity, allelic richness and effective population size was used to assess the genetic diversity. Inbreeding was evaluated using two different methods (FIS, FROH). The standardized FST (di) and cross-population extended haplotype homozygosity (XPEHH) methods were used to detect signatures of selection. We observed the lowest heterozygosity (HO = 0.351) and effective population size (Ne5 = 25, Ne50 = 228) for the Balusha breed. The mean allelic richness levels (1.780–1.876) across all analyzed breeds were similar and also comparable with those in worldwide breeds. FROH estimates (0.023–0.077) were highest for the Balusha population, although evidence of decreased inbreeding was observed in FIS results for the Balusha breed. Two Gene Ontology (GO) TERMs were strongly enriched for Balusha, and involved genes belonging to the melanogenesis and T cell receptor signaling pathways, respectively. This could result from selection for the special coat color pattern of Balusha (black head) and resistance to certain infectious diseases. The analyzed diversity parameters highlight the urgency to preserve the local Kosovar Balusha sheep as it is clearly distinguished from other sheep of Southeastern Europe, has the lowest diversity level and may harbor valuable genetic variants, e.g., for resistance to infectious diseases.

Morphological Characteristics of Pati Duck

Background: The favorable climatic condition and fertile land resources of Assam plays a significant role for agricultural and livestock production in the region. Assam is one of the regions of north-eastern India, famous for different varieties of indigenous ducks reared by farmers under traditional system. Due to hot-humid climatic condition of Assam along with extensive availability of resources like ponds, river, marshy wet lands etc. provides a suitable natural habitats for duck rearing in rural areas of the states. Pati Duck was recognized as a breed by the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources in the year 2017. Methods: The study was conducted at Govt. Duck and Poultry Farm, Joysagar, Sivasagar district of Assam. Ducklings were hatched at the Hatchery unit present at the farm. Eggs were been collected from different farmer’s house where they reared ducks in the backyard systems. Ducklings born were been studied for the different morphological characteristics and their body weight were been measured in weekly interval. All ducks received adlibitum feed from day one onwards. Result: Pati ducks were divided into five major groups based on their body coat colour. They are Whitish light brown, White, Blackish brown, Black and white and Khaki coloured. The different body measurement shows the male to be superior to the females in different parameters with different coat colour. The major colour pattern of bill, shank and feet was found to be yellow, whereas skin was mostly white in colour and plumage colour pattern found to be white, black and brown in different parts of the body.

Growth Traits and Sperm Proteomics Analyses of Myostatin Gene-Edited Chinese Yellow Cattle.

Chinese Yellow Cattle, an ancient and domesticated breed for draft service, provide unique animal genetic resources with excellent genetic features, including crude feed tolerance, good stress resistance, strong adaptability, and tender meat quality; however, their production performance and meat yield are significantly inferior. Herein, the myostatin gene (MSTN), a negative regulator of skeletal muscle development, was knocked out by CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Eight MSTN gene-edited bull calves (MT) were born, and six of them are well-developed. Compared with the control cattle (WT), the growth trait indexes of MT cattle were generally increased, and the hindquarters especially were significantly improved. The biochemical indexes and the semen characteristics demonstrated that MT bulls were healthy and fertile. Consistent with our conjecture, the wobble and beating of MT bull spermatozoa were significantly higher than that of WT. Nine sperm motility-related proteins and nineteen mitochondrial-related proteins were identified by up-regulation in MT bull spermatozoa using FLQ proteomic technique and act to govern sperm flagellum assembly, organization, and beating and provide sufficient energy for sperm motility. The current study confirmed that the MSTN gene-edited Chinese Yellow cattle have improved growth traits and normal fertility, which can be used for beef cattle production and breeding.