Colombian Breeds Research Articles

El agregado racial equino en Colombia: ¿Sería el caballo Criollo Llanero Araucano el que indica mejor los ancestros?

For three native Colombian horse breeds (Criollo Llanero Araucano, Criollo Colombiano and Paso Fino) and the Pure Spanish Breed (PRE), a total of 12 morphometric variables (weight, height at the withers, longitudinal diameter, thoracic perimeter, dorsal-sternal diameter, bicostal diameter, perimeter of the anterior cannon, height at the rump, length of the rump, width of the rump, length of the head and width of the head) were obtained for each sex from existing bibliography or from our own information. From these data, a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed from the correlation matrix and then a dendrogram from the Gower distance matrix. From the results obtained in the PCA, it is concluded that PRE tends to differentiate itself from the rest by its larger size, while the Criollo Llanero Araucano differs from all of them, especially by its cephalic conformation. The dendrogram shows an isolated cluster for the PRE. The second cluster was made up of the three Colombian breeds, with the Criollo Llanero Araucano appearing as the most distant. Based on the results, it can be deduced that the horses that initially arrived in Latin America were not of big size, and that the most original characteristics (especially of the head) have been preserved in the horses from the Araucanian plains.

Effect of a dietary antioxidant supplementation on semen characteristics of the Colombian horse

Cooling equine semen increases production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Elevated concentrations of ROS have detrimental consequences by causing changes in membrane permeability. Although there are reports of antioxidant supplementation to improve sperm quality in horses, there are few reports on the Colombian breed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of nutritional supplementation with a variety of antioxidants on semen characteristics of Colombian horses. Six (n=6) Colombian Creole stallions aged between 5 and 15 years were collected 3 times a week using a Missouri artificial vagina for 20 weeks. Stallions were randomly allocated into a control (C) or a supplementation group (SG) with Natural Fertility®. Cobalamin 0.36 mg/day; pyridoxin 16 mg/day; retinoic acid 366799 IU/day; alpha tocopherol 1600 IU/day; ascorbic acid 4000 mg/day; folic acid 1200 mg/day; lysine 640 mg/day; methionine 960 mg/day; threonine 400 mg/day; arginine 400 mg/day; L-Carnitine 10000 mg/day; omega 3 3200 mg/day; zinc 1200 mg/day; copper 44 mg/day, chromium 6 mg/day and selenium 8 mg/day, was added to the basal diet (hay, mineralized salt, 2 kg of grain and water). Repeated measures design with a wash-out period of 2 weeks between treatments was used. During a periodof 8 weeks, semen was analyzed twice a week for motility and kinetics using a Sperm Class Analyzer (SCA®) system; sperm vitality (SV) and acrosomal Integrity (AI) by fluorescent microscopy, abnormal morphology (AM) by supravital stain, and plasmatic membrane Integrity by hypoosmotic test (HOST). Reactive oxygen species and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) by ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) were assessed by spectrofluorimetry. Comparison of means was performed using Tukey's test with p≤0.05; using SAS program 3.81. SG increased the beat cross frequency of semen with 36.68 Hz ± 0.89 vs. 32.67 Hz ± 0.73 (C). In addition, a higher AI was found for SG (82.92 ± 0.72 %) compared to C (78.51% ± 0.83). SG also increased the TAC of seminal plasma (15.35± 0.92 μmol Trolox/L) compared to C (18.86± 1.75 μmol Trolox/L). In the individual analysis it was found that SG increased the total and progressive motility of the semen of two horses, however it reduced both parameters for two other individuals, compared to C. In conclusion, supplementation of the diet of horses with a supplement that provides vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and omega 3 can increase the antioxidant capacity of seminal plasma, as well as sperm quality, however this may be subject to a differential effect on each horse.

Migratory connections among breeding grounds off the Eastern Pacific and feeding areas in the Antarctic Peninsula based on genotype matching

We analysed 114 DNA samples collected in different locations within the stock G breeding grounds, including Ecuador and the northern and southern Pacific of Colombia. We genotyped 15 microsatellite loci, sexed all samples, and performed genotype comparisons. Genotype comparisons were done using a DNA register of previously genotyped individuals from the Colombian breeding ground and the Antarctic Peninsula feeding Area. We confirmed connectivity between feeding grounds in Antarctic Peninsula and breeding grounds in Colombia and Ecuador using microsatellite loci. We found recaptures within each sampling location in the same year, but we also found a few recaptures in the same locations between years both in breeding and feeding grounds. Interestingly, we found recaptures between breeding and feeding grounds using samples collected 20 years apart, providing some information about longevity in this stock. Further comparisons with other data sets (Brazil, North Pacific) are needed to understand the migratory connectivity of this stock.

To the beat of a different drummer: Defining the rhythmic traits of humpback whale vocalizations

Tonal signals are useful in behavioral studies as they often represent the building blocks of more complex vocalizations. Their simple structure can be indicative of fundamental processes such as resonant chamber size. Repetitive tones produced by the humpback whales from the Colombian breeding ground are not easily categorized into song nor social calls. These tones display a strong rhythmic quality, yet little is known about the functionality of temporal patterning in its vocalizations. Studies on the temporal structure of song have noted that unit-to-unit duration is relatively consistent within a phrase but that rhythm in song often lacks precision. Taking a musicological approach, we examined potential carrier signals of information within the tones by comparing its rhythmic qualities to those found in social calls (particularly feeding calls) and song, and theorize how rhythmic characteristics may aid the whale in its feeding, communication, and mating pursuits.

The legacy of Columbus in American horse populations assessed by microsatellite markers

Criollo horse populations descend from horses brought from the Iberian Peninsula over the period of colonization (15th to 17th century). They are spread throughout the Americas and have potentially undergone genetic hybridization with other breeds in the recent past. In this study, 25 autosomal microsatellites were genotyped in 50 horse breeds representing Criollo populations from 12 American countries (27 breeds), breeds from the Iberian Peninsula (19), one breed each from France and Morocco and two cosmopolitan horse breeds (Thoroughbred and Arabian). The genetic relationships among breeds identified five clusters: Celtic; Iberian; North American with Thoroughbred influence; most Colombian breeds; and nearly all other Criollo breeds. The group of "all other Criollo breeds" had the closest genetic relationship with breeds originating from the Iberian Peninsula, specifically with the Celtic group. For the whole set of Criollo breeds analysed, the estimated genetic contribution from other breeds was approximately 50%, 30% and 20% for the Celtic, Iberian and Arab-Thoroughbred groups, respectively. The spatial distribution of genetic diversity indicates that hotspots of genetic diversity are observed in populations from Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Paraguay and western United States, possibly indicating points of arrival and dispersion of Criollo horses in the American continent. These results indicate that Criollo breeds share a common ancestry, but that each breed has its own identity.

Genetic differentiation between humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) from Atlantic and Pacific breeding grounds of South America

AbstractHumpback whales wintering in tropical waters along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the South American continent are thought to represent distinct populations or “stocks.” Here we present the first analysis of genetic differentiation and estimates of gene flow between these breeding stocks, based on both mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequences (465 bp) and 16 microsatellite loci from samples collected off Brazil (n = 277) and Colombia (n = 148), as well as feeding areas near the western Antarctic Peninsula (n = 86). We found significant differentiation between Brazilian and Colombian breeding grounds at both mtDNA (FST = 0.058) and microsatellite (FST = 0.011) markers and corroborated previous studies showing genetic similarity between humpbacks from Colombia and those from Antarctic Peninsula feeding areas. Estimates of long‐term gene flow between Brazil and Colombia were low to moderate, asymmetrical, and mostly mediated by males. Assignment procedures detected some cases of interchange and individuals of admixed ancestry between breeding grounds, indicating limited mixing of individuals between these stocks. Overall, results highlight the differentiation of humpback whale breeding populations with adjacent feeding grounds. This appears to be a remarkable example of fidelity to seasonal habitat in the absence of any contemporary barriers.

Colombian Creole horse breeds: same origin but different diversity

In order to understand the genetic ancestry and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) diversity of current Colombian horse breeds we sequenced a 364-bp fragment of the mitocondrial DNA D-loop in 116 animals belonging to five Spanish horse breeds and the Colombian Paso Fino and Colombian Creole cattle horse breeds. Among Colombian horse breeds, haplogroup D had the highest frequency (53%), followed by haplogroups A (19%), C (8%) and F (6%). The higher frequency of haplogroup D in Colombian horse breeds supports the theory of an ancestral Iberian origin for these breeds. These results also indicate that different selective pressures among the Colombian breeds could explain the relatively higher genetic diversity found in the Colombian Creole cattle horse when compared with the Colombian Paso Fino.

Variabilidad genética en subpoblaciones comerciales de la raza criolla colombiana Romosinuano

La variabilidad genética es de gran importancia cuando se analiza la conservación de los recursos genéticos, además se constituye en la base para los procesos de selección y mejoramiento genético. El objetivo principal de este estudio fue determinar la variabilidad genética de la raza Romosinuano existente en Colombia por medio de técnicas moleculares. En este estudio se utilizaron 12 marcadores tipo microsatélites para determinar la diversidad genética y estructura poblacional en un total de 119 individuos de la raza Romosinuano y 42 de la raza Cebú, distribuidos en diferentes zonas geográficas del país. El valor más alto del número promedio de alelos (NPA) fue para la subpoblación de Universidad del Tolima (UT: 7,92) y el menor valor en la subpoblación Bonanza (BO: 4,08). El contenido de información polimórfica (PIC), para todos los marcadores estudiados fueron informativos, encontrándose rangos entre 0,47 (BM 1818) y 0,71 (BM 2113), con un promedio en la población de 0,64. Los índices de fijación FIS (-0,20), FIT (0,37) y FST (0,14), indicaron un déficit de heterocigotos. Se construyó el árbol filogenético, empleando la metodología de Nei, la menor distancia genética se presentó entre las subpoblaciones de Guillermo Soto (GS) y el Edem (ED), mientras que la mayor medida se presentó entre las subpoblaciones. El Brillante (BR), universidad del Tolima (UT) y Fabio Torres (FT). Existe una alta variabilidad genética entre las poblaciones, pero valores moderados de homocigosidad dentro de ellas, por lo que es necesario dar más relevancia al manejo de este flujo genético para reducir la consanguinidad. Estos resultados son una base importante para definir nuevos planes de apareamiento y selección asistida.

Mitochondrial DNA diversity of the Southwestern Atlantic humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) breeding area off Brazil, and the potential connections to Antarctic feeding areas

In the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean, humpback whales migrate every winter to the Brazilian coast for breeding and calving in the Abrolhos Bank. This breeding stock represents the remnants of a larger population heavily exploited during the beginning of the 20th century. Despite its relevance to conservation efforts, the degree of current genetic variation and the migratory relationship with Antarctic feeding areas for this population are still largely unknown. To examine these questions, we sequenced ∼400 bp of the mitochondrial DNA control region from samples taken off the Brazilian coast (n = 171) and near the Antarctic Peninsula (n = 77). The genetic variability of the Brazilian humpback whale breeding population was high and similar to that found in other Southern Hemisphere breeding grounds. Phylogenetic analysis suggested the existence of a new mitochondrial clade that exists at low frequency among Southern Hemisphere populations. Direct comparison between the Brazilian and the Colombia breeding populations and the Antarctic Peninsula feeding population showed no genetic differentiation between this feeding region and the Colombian breeding area or between feeding Areas I and II near the Antarctic Peninsula. In contrast, these populations were genetically distinct from the Brazilian population. Two humpback whales sampled off South Georgia Islands, in the Scotia Sea, shared identical haplotypes to whales from Brazil. Our results, supported by photo-identification and satellite telemetry data, suggest that the main feeding area of the Southern Hemisphere humpback whale population is likely to be located near the South Georgia/South Sandwich Islands area and not in the Antarctic Peninsula.

Supplementation with bypass fat in silvopastoral systems diminishes the ratio of milk saturated/unsaturated fatty acids

This study was conducted to evaluate if supplementing bypass fat to cows under silvopastoral systems, increases the concentration of unsaturated fatty acids in milk, thus improving the saturated/ unsaturated ratio without a negative effect on total milk yield in fat or protein. Two concentrations of two different sources of bypass fat were evaluated for 40 days, each in a group of 24 multiparous Lucerna (Colombian breed) cows. A cross-over design of 8 Latin squares 3 x 3 was used. The variables submitted to analysis were body condition, daily milk production and milk composition. Body condition, milk yield and milk quality were not different but there was a significant decrease in the amount of saturated fatty acid in both experiments while the unsaturated fat increased significantly in experiment 1 and remained stable in experiment 2. Results, such as these have as far as we know, not been reported previously and they provide an approach for the improvement of milk as a "functional food".

Evaluación fenotípica y genética para características de crecimiento en la raza criolla colombiana Costeño con Cuernos

Se establecieron componentes de varianza, así como parámetros fenotípicos y genéticos, respecto de las variables ‘peso al nacimiento’, ‘peso al destete’ (ajustado a los 270 días) y ‘peso a los 480 días’ en un hato del ganado criollo colombiano Costeño con Cuernos. Se analizaron 2.281 registros de pesos al nacer, 1.722 de pesos al destete y 1.086 de pesos ajustados a los 480 días utilizando la metodología de máxima verosimilitud restringida (DFREML). También se ajustó un modelo animal que incluyó efectos genéticos directos, maternos y de ambiente permanente, asumiendo como efectos fijos el año de nacimiento, el sexo del ternero y el número de partos de la madre; finalmente, se estimaron los parámetros genéticos ‘heredabilidad’, ‘repetibilildad’ y se establecieron correlaciones genéticas y fenotípicas. Se reportan bajas estimaciones de heredabilidad de los efectos directos, que varían entre 0,17 ± 0,001 y 0,21 ± 0,074 para los pesos al nacer y al destete, respectivamente; así mismo, fue baja la heredabilidad de los efectos genéticos maternos con relación al peso al nacimiento, aunque estos estimados aumentaron respecto de los pesos al nacer y al destete. Las correlaciones entre efectos directos y maternos fueron negativas, pero el mayor valor se encontró para el peso al nacimiento (-0,89). La contribución del ambiente permanente como proporción de la varianza fenotípica total fue baja y disminuyó a medida que aumentó la edad del animal.