Baladi Cattle Research Articles

Novel Insights Into the Architecture of Macro and Microstructures in Cattle Ossa Cordis.

Ossa cordis, bones located within the heart trigones, are often classified as heterotopic or ectopic bones. Despite their high prevalence in cattle and some other bovids, little is known about their structure or development. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray microtomography, gross dissections, and measurements showed the anatomical locations, prevalence, shapes, and measurements of the cardiac bones in both Egyptian Baladi cattle and Holstein-Friesians. All cattle (n = 12) had an Ossa cordis dextrum (average = 50.70 × 20.91 × 5.40 mm). Additionally, 80% Egyptian Baladi and 57% Holstein-Friesian had a smaller Ossa cordis sinistrum (average = 24.94 × 12.75 × 4.12 mm). Egyptian Baladi Ossa cordis were smaller than observed in Holstein-Friesians. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis showed the elemental constitution (carbon, oxygen, calcium, nitrogen, phosphorus, sodium, and magnesium) of Ossa cordis and Cartilago cordis. These imaging techniques, plus four histological stains (hematoxylin and eosin, Crossman's trichrome, Alcian blue with Van Gieson, and Sirius Red) and microscopy, demonstrated osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteoclasts, astrocytes, blood vessels, bone marrow, lamellar and woven bone, cortical bone, trabeculations with pores and canaliculi, and fibrous components including collagen in the Ossa cordis dextrum and sinistrum. Hyaline cartilage and fibrocartilage (chondrocytes and cartilage matrix) were found within and surrounding the Ossa cordis. These findings were additionally compared against other cattle breeds and species.

Do Pharaohs’ cattle still graze the Nile Valley? Genetic characterization of the Egyptian Baladi cattle breed

Egyptian Baladi cattle is one of the few native taurine breeds which remain in the original domestication area of Bos taurus, the Nile Valley (Upper Egypt). Apart from its evolutive relevance, the breed is well-adapted and integrated into the traditional family farming systems, with great potentialities for local sustainable rural development. The diversity and structure of the Baladi population were assessed using 28 genetic microsatellite markers. Within and between-breeds diversity, its relations with other cattle breeds, and an inference on its origin and evolution, were analyzed. Results reported high levels of diversity, with an average number of alleles (Na) of 11.39, observed heterozygosity (Ho) of 0.68, and expected heterozygosity (He) of 0.75. The studied population was in Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium, which could be ascribed to its internal structure. The comparison between breeds using factorial correspondence analysis, Reynolds genetic distance evaluation, and genetic structure analysis suggested slight influences of Bos indicus. Upper Egypt’s rural communities have preserved the Baladi cattle breed, protecting this historical and biological heritage against the constant and indiscriminate introduction of exotic genetic resources along the history of development of the breed. Developing and implementing conservation and breeding programs is crucial for the preservation and improvement of the breed. HIGHLIGHTS Baladi cattle breed is a well-defined and highly diverse breed. Higher diversity levels are found in northern and central governorates. A clear geographical cluster is formed around the Nile Delta. Baladi cattle may be reminiscent of the ancient ‘pharaoh’ cattle. Assiut’s population acted as the most ancestral population nucleus.

Age-related histomorphometric and immunohistochemical changes of the moderator band in Egyptian Baladi cattle.

The moderator band (MB) is a common fibromuscular anatomical structure for the right ventricle of most animals. The histomorphometric and immunohistochemical analysis of the MBs of Egyptian Baladi cattle in relation to age was the aim of this study. Eighteen clinically healthy animals of both sexes were used for this study. The animals were divided into three groups depending on age, group I (N=4, <1year), group II (N=8, 1-2years) and group III (N=6, 4-8years). Cross sections of the MBs from all groups were stained with H&E, Masson's trichrome and anti-connexin43 (Cx43) antibody for histological and immunohistochemical examinations. Also, measurements for the thickness of the endocardium of the MB as well as, the wall of its muscular artery were conducted. Bundles of Purkinje fibres (PFs) were identified peripherally in the endocardial layer and among the myocardial fibres in the core of each MB. The infiltration of endocardial adipocytes was the characteristic for MBs of old animals. All morphometric data showed a significant increase with the advancement of age. Immunohistochemical findings revealed the localization and distribution of Cx43 in the PFs and intercalated discs of all examined MBs. However, variation of Cx43 immunoreactivity was found among the groups depending on the age. On the basis of this study, this conclusion of different histomorphometry and Cx43 expression of the MBs in relation to age was drawn. These interesting findings provide further insight into age-related physiological and pathological heart conditions.

Detection of Allelic and Genotypic Frequencies of Polymorphisms Associated with Meat Quality in the Mediterranean Baladi Cattle

Baladi, (B taurus; DAGRIS) a native cattle breed found throughout the entire Southern Mediterranean basin, is known for its high disease resistance and hardiness. Baladi cows in Israel and Southern Mediterranean basin are endangered due to the introduction of larger and more productive European breeds in these regions. In order to promote conservation initiatives of Baladi by stakeholders, the yet unexplored production traits, over their well accepted adaptation to the harsh Mediterranean conditions, were sought in the current study. Aiming at locating the genetic potential of Baladi for meat quality, the allelic and genotypic frequencies of four polymorphisms in CAST, CAPN1, DGAT1, and FASN genes, previously reported to be associated with meat quality traits, were compared to four cattle breeds. The other four breeds included Limousine, Holstein, Simmental and Brahman cattle, which represent beef, dairy, dual-purpose and indicine bovine members, respectively. Relative to the four bovine members, Baladi cattle exhibited high frequencies of the increasing alleles and genotypes in all four SNPs associated with meat tenderness or fat deposition. These findings, along with future phenotyping and genomic profiling of meat quality related markers, and the well-established adaptability to the challenging Mediterranean pasture conditions, may promote conservation initiatives of Baladi cattle by stakeholders.

P4014 Global and local admixture analyses of baladi cattle

P4014 Global and local admixture analyses of baladi cattle

Global and local admixture analyses of baladi cattle.

Global and local admixture analyses of baladi cattle.

Comparison between conventional and molecular methods for diagnosis of bovine babesiosis (Babesia bovis infection) in tick infested cattle in upper Egypt.

Ticks and tick-borne diseases are the main problems affecting the livestock production in Egypt. Bovine babesiosis has adverse effects on the animal health and production. A comparison of Giemsa stained blood smears, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested PCR (nPCR) assays for detection of Babesia bovis infection in Egyptian Baladi cattle (Bos taurus) in reference to reverse line blot was carried out. The sensitivity of PCR and nested PCR (nPCR) assays were 65 and 100% respectively. Giemsa stained blood smears showed the lowest sensitivity (30%). According to these results using of PCR and nPCR target for B. bovis, [BBOV-IV005650 (BV5650)] gene are suitable for diagnosis of B. bovis infection. The 18Ss rRNA partial sequence confirmed that all the positive samples were Babesia bovis and all of them were deposited in the GenBank databases (Accession No: KM455548, KM455549 and KM455550).

Prediction of desirable genotype patterns in Baladi beef cattle and water buffalo by identification of new leptin gene SNPs

The leptin gene is considered to be an excellent candidate gene for predicting desirable economic traits in both beef and dairy cattle. Leptin gene polymorphism has been analyzed in different livestock species and the polymorphic pattern has been demonstrated to be associated with energy balance, milk production, live body weight and reproductive performance. The present study was designed to analyze genetic polymorphisms in the coding region of leptin gene in native beef cattle and water buffalo in comparison to Holstein cattle. A total number of 180 animals (60 animals of each breed) were used for blood sampling and DNA extraction. Target sites in leptin gene (first 94bp fragment of exon 2 and 330bp fragment including first part of exon 3) were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using two specific primers pairs. Genotyping for R25C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in exon 2 was carried out using the Kpn21-RFLP method. Variations in the exon 3 coding sequence were investigated by PCR-SSCP analysis. Two alleles (C and T) were observed in exon 2 giving rise to three R25C variants (CC, CT and TT). The highest frequency in all populations was the homozygote genotype (CC) where it recorded 91.6%, 98.3% and 100% for Baladi cattle, Holstein cattle and buffalo, respectively. Four alleles (A, B, C and D) and six genotypes (AA, AB, BB, CC, DD and CD) were identified in all studied breeds upon exon 3 analysis. Genotype AA was found to be the most dominant in all studied breeds followed by genotype CC in Holstein and Baladi cattle but followed by AB genotype in buffalo. All observed and expected genotypes were found to be statistically significant (P≤0.05) when subjected to chi-square analysis. Two point mutations have been identified in the first part of exon 3 coding sequence (a3033>t and c3051>t) of Baladi cattle samples. Polymorphisms that were detected in this study indicated that these breeds have high genetic variability in the leptin gene. These results implicate the prospective use of leptin gene polymorphisms for association studies with different productive and reproductive performances and marker assisted selection (MAS).

Adaptive traits of indigenous cattle breeds: The Mediterranean Baladi as a case study

Generally taken, breeds of Bos taurus ancestry are considered more productive, in comparison with Bos indicus derived breeds that present enhanced hardiness and disease resistance, low nutritional requirements and higher capability of feed utilization. While breeds of B. taurus have been mostly selected for intensive production systems, indigenous cattle, developed mostly from indicine and African taurines, flourish in extensive habitats. Worldwide demographic and economic processes face animal production with new challenges — the increasing demand for animal food products. Intensification of animal husbandry is thus a desired goal in stricken parts of the world. An introduction of productive traits to indigenous breeds might serve to generate improved biological and economic efficiencies. For this to succeed, the genetic merit of traits like efficiency of feed utilization and product quality should be revealed, encouraging the conservation initiatives of indigenous cattle populations, many of which are already extinct and endangered. Moreover, to overcome potential genetic homogeneity, controlled breeding practices should be undertaken. The Baladi cattle are a native local breed found throughout the Mediterranean basin. Purebred Baladi animals are rapidly vanishing, as more European breeds are being introduced or used for backcrosses leading to improved production. The superiority of Baladi over large-framed cattle, in feedlot and on Mediterranean pasture, with respect to adaptability and efficiency, is highlighted in the current review.

Genetic Variants and Allele Frequencies of Kappa Casein in Egyptian Cattle and Buffalo Using PCR-RFLP

Kappa casein (K-Ca) genetic variations affected quality and composition of the milk. Several variants of Kappa casein (K-Ca) gene locus IV have been reported with special interest for the ‘B’ allele for its relation to the milk protein and fat yields. Genotyping and allelic frequencies of K-Ca among Native Egyptian breeds of cattle and buffalo were the aim of the present study. PCR amplification of DNA isolated from 300 blood samples collected from Holstein and Baladi cattle and buffalo were performed followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism using Hind-III restriction endonuclease (PCR-RFLP). Detection of ‘AA’ and ‘AB’ genotypes in cattle breeds, ‘BB’ and ‘AB’ in buffalo and two alleles ‘A’ and ‘B’ in the studied breeds. Molecular selection for animals carrying the ‘B’ allele could impact breeding programs for dairy production in native cattle and buffalo breeds in Egypt. ast-language:AR-SA'>Simulated daily cycle of temperature was compared with data registered at six meteorological stations located in the cultivated floor of the semiarid Limari Valley (Chile, 31°S). Although in some cases the simulated temperature differs in about 2°C with the observed one, a good fit between model results and experimental data was observed. Using the simulated seasonal minimum and maximum mean temperature fields, maps of temperature differences with respect to a reference station were drawn. In order to observe the influence of the orography on the lapse rate around a station, the methodology was applied for two reference stations located in places with different orographic characteristics. Results for winter and summer seasons are shown. These generated maps can be used by farmers and agricultural planners to obtain information of seasonal minimum and maximum mean temperature from a station in any site of the cultivated area. This technique is a good alternative to obtain meteorological information at low costs, contributing to territorial planning for climate resilient agriculture sustainability.

Phenotypes, Genotypes and Allele Frequencies of B-lactoglobulin in Egyptian Cattle and Buffalo

b-lactoglobulin (B-LG) is the major whey protein and its polymorphic gene affects economical traits in cattle breeds. The present study aims to identify the phenotype, genotype and allelic frequency of B-LG gene among local cattle breeds and Buffalo in Egypt, as the phenotyping and genotyping of that gene have not been extensively studied yet in these breeds. Milk samples from Holestien, Baladi cattle and buffalo were assayed for phenotyping of B-LG as well as well as some milk protein traits. Genotyping of B-LG was performed by PCR-RFLP using Hae III endonuclease digestion of a 262 bp PCR products of exon IV and intron IV. The most frequent phenotype in Holestien cattle , Baladi cattle and Buffalo was the BB variant. AA, AB and BB genotypes were existed in Holestien cattle, meanwhile AB, BB and BC genotypes were present in Baladi cattle and Buffalo breeds in Egypt with the predominance of BB genotype in the three breeds. The Holestien cattle populations were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium while the Baladi cattle and Buffalo were rejected. The allelic frequency of A, B and C alleles were in the order of 0.205, 0.795 and 0.000 for Holestein cattle, 0.109, o.869 and 0.022 for Baladi cattle and 0.055, 0.917 and 0.028 for Buffalo. The existence of rare BC genotype and the inbred nature were the most interesting result in the Baladi cattle and Buffalo. These results could be included into marker assisted selection programs to improve response to selection in these local breeds.

Evaluation of indirect TaSP enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for diagnosis of tropical theileriosis in cattle (Bos indicus) and water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in Egypt

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the validity of Theileria annulata surface protein (TaSP)-ELISA, in comparison with traditional microscopic test, for the diagnosis of T. annulata infection among Egyptian baladi cattle (Bos taurus) and water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). Molecular confirmation of infection using T. annulata merozoite surface (Tams-1) target amplification by PCR was used as a gold standard. A total of 76 clinically suspected animals including 64 baladi cattle and 12 water buffaloes were investigated in the current study by the three methods. Based on the PCR-confirmed results, the evaluation study revealed higher sensitivity of TaSP-ELISA (72.9% and 75%) as compared to microscopic examination (58.3% and 50%) among cattle and buffaloes, respectively. On the other hand, the specificity of TaSP-ELISA in diagnosis of T. annulata infection was higher (87.5%) in baladi cattle as compared to water buffaloes (37.5%). In conclusion, TaSP-ELISA was shown to be suitable for the diagnosis of T. annulata infection in cattle under field conditions.

FARM ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES IN EGYPT: FACTSHEET

SUMMARY Egyptian and international literature shows that Egypt has got more than 60 local and derived breeds of livestock excluding exotic breeds. This enormous number of breeds needs to be verified and refined. Most of these breeds are named in an ad hoc manner according to their geographical location. Since there are only few discriminate characteristics to distinguish many of these breeds, proper phenotypic and genetic characterization is needed to be able to draw objective breeding plans for the utilization and possible conservation of some these valuable genetic resources. Aside from the two local rabbit breeds that have become extinct, Baladi White and Giza White, no local breeds seem endangered yet. However, Baladi cattle and local chicken breeds have suffered greatly from the introductions of exotic breeds due the indiscriminate crossing that usually follows these introductions. From 1991 to 2004, Baladi cattle have lost 19% of their share in the national cattle herd. No figures are available for local chicken breeds but the trend is expected to be more alarming. Livestock production systems in Egypt are under pressure to increase output, especially of animal protein. This pressure is leading to an intensification of the system with little attention paid to sustainability and environmental elements. To monitor the state of animal genetic resources in the country animal census must take the breed into account, approximately initially until some breed standards have been established. Stakeholder networking focused on the characterization and utilization of animal genetic resources is nearly totally absent in the country.

The effect of grading up Baladi cattle with Friesian on meat production performance.

The effect of grading up Baladi cattle with Friesian on meat production performance.

Milk production characteristics of Baladi cattle and their F1 crossbreds with some European breeds

Milk production characteristics of Baladi cattle and their F₁ crossbreds with some European breeds

Grading up Baladi cattle with Friesians in Egypt

Grading up Baladi cattle with Friesians in Egypt

Chemical and Physical Characteristics of Longissimus Dorsi Muscle of Baladi Cattle and Twelve of Their Crossbreds

Chemical and Physical Characteristics of Longissimus Dorsi Muscle of Baladi Cattle and Twelve of Their Crossbreds

Some economic characteristics of the Egyptian Baladi cattle

Some economic characteristics of the Egyptian Baladi cattle

Birth weight, growth and feed efficiency in crosses of european breeds with baladi cattle

Birth weight, growth and feed efficiency in crosses of european breeds with baladi cattle