Facial Hair Whorl Research Articles

Genetic group and heterosis in the behavioural evolution of steers during finishing in confinement

Crossbreeding is one way of achieving complementarity between breeds in relation to economically important characteristics; in addition, it allows the effect of heterosis to be exploited. The aim of this study was to measure the behavioural evolution of different genetic groups and mating systems in continuous alternating crosses of Charolais and Nellore cattle. Seventy-nine purebred Charolais (C) and Nellore (N) steers were evaluated during finishing in confinement, together with their second (3/4C 1/4 N and 3/4 N 1/4C), third (5/8C 3/8 N and 5/8 N 3/8C) and fourth generation (11/16C 5/16 N and 11/16 N 5/16C) crosses. The confinement period was 97 days, including 13 days for adaptation to the environment and feeding regime. Behavioural assessments were carried out when weighing, evaluating the composite scale score, time taken to exit the scales, measurement of flight distance, location of the facial hair whorl, and plasma cortisol level at slaughter. The Charolais animals showed a better composite scale score, longer exit time and shorter flight distance than the Nellore animals. For generation 3 (5/8 animals), the inclusion of Charolais genes afforded a higher composite scale score in each of the assessments, longer flight time in the assessments at 14 and 77 days, shorter flight distance in each of the assessments, with the facial hair whorl positioned further below the eye line, determining animals of a calmer behaviour. Purebred Nellore and predominantly Nellore animals from the third generation of crosses were higher in cortisol at slaughter than the purebred Charolais or predominantly Charolais animals, showing significant heterosis only in the second generation. Bos taurus animals are calmer and have a more suitable temperament than Bos indicus, however, the behaviour of zebu cattle can improve as the period of confinement increases, with the type of handling affecting behaviour and reactivity throughout the assessments.

Relationship between the left-right asymmetric motor-related conformation and the orientation of facial hair whorls in Japanese Kiso horses.

We examined the relationship between inherited motor-related conformation and orientation of facial hair whorls in Japanese Kiso horses. Eleven horses were divided into clockwise, counterclockwise, and radial groups according to facial hair whorls. We placed six markers on anatomical landmarks of each lateral side in a horse and measured the height of the landmarks, the distance between adjacent landmarks, and the angle of the adjacent landmarks. In the counterclockwise group, the horses tended to exhibit higher values on the left side than on the right side, and the comparison of the height of landmarks revealed a significant difference between both sides. Therefore, the orientation of facial hair whorls may suggest the tendency of motor-related conformation, at least in counterclockwise group.

The effect of facial hair whorl position and raising environment on the temperament of the Chinese Yellow cattle in Shinjang Uyghur Aptonom Rayoni, China.

Objective:The objective of this study is to determine whether there is a relationship between hair whorl position and temperament in Chinese Yellow cattle using a questionnaire. Also, the effect of the raising environment is investigated.Materials and methods:A total of 122 Chinese Yellow cattle were surveyed in 3 village areas and four grassland areas in the northern area of China. For each cattle, an investigator asked the care-person about each item of a temperament questionnaire and determined the facial hair whorl position of each cattle. The location of hair whorl was categorized as low, middle, or high in relation to the eyes.Results:The overall distribution was 20.5% high, 58.2% middle, 13.1% low, 6.6% double, and 1.6% no hair whorl. There was no significant difference between the grassland and village area cattle in the distribution of whorl position. The scores of grassland areas were significantly higher than those of village areas in terms of “Retentive memory”, “Sensitivity,” and “Timidity” and lower in “Docility” and “Fortitude.” The scores for the high position tended to be higher than those for the middle plus low positions in terms of “Adaptability” and “Obedience.” On the other hand, there was a tendency for a score for the high position to be lower than the other positions in “Excitability.” A significant interaction between area and whorl position was observed in “Friendliness to cattle.”Conclusion:These findings suggest that hair whorl location may be useful in predicting the temperament in cattle, but temperament can be influenced by environment and/or handlings.

Identification and development of measures suitable as potential breeding traits regarding dairy cows’ reactivity towards humans

Behavioural indicators of the human-animal relationship (HAR) are predominantly used in animal welfare science. However, the reactivity of dairy cows – as part of the HAR – is also of interest in the context of dairy breeding, due to its estimated moderate heritability. The avoidance distance (AD) towards an unfamiliar experimenter in a standardized test is regarded an established behavioural indicator of the HAR, but for breeding purposes more feasible measures would be advantageous.The aim of the present pilot study was to identify and develop potential measures of the cow’s reactivity towards humans, which are promising as breeding traits with regard to feasibility, reliability and criterion validity.On three German dairy farms with loose housing and herd sizes of 45–195 cows of the Holstein-Friesian and German Black Pied Cattle breed, AD at the feeding place and AD in the barn as well as four alternative HAR measures were recorded and tested for inter-observer reliability (IOR) and inter-test associations for the assessment of criterion validity. Alternative measures were (1) tolerance to standardised tactile interaction (TTI), (2) release behaviour after restraint (RB), (3) qualitative behaviour assessment (QBA) of the cow during the TTI and RB test, and (4) facial hair whorl position and form (HW). TTI, RB and QBA were additionally tested for intra-observer reliability using video recordings of 31 cows. IOR was assessed based on Spearman rank or Kendall W correlation coefficients (in case of QBA with three observers) for metric and ordinal data and based on PABAK coefficients in case of nominal data (HW). Intra-observer reliability was assessed based on Spearman rank correlation coefficients. Inter-test associations between AD at the feeding place and HW were analysed using a General Linear Model and between all other measures using Spearman rank correlation.IOR was good to very good for all measures: AD feeding place rs=0.79 (n=84, p<0.01); AD barn rs=0.83 (n=36, p<0.01); TTI rs=0.93 (n=55, p<0.01); RB rs=0.90 (n=54, p<0.01); QBA W=0.95 (n=32, N=3, p<0.01); HW PABAK=0.77–0.83 (n=58). Intra-observer reliability of the alternative behavioural measures was also very good: TTI rs=0.94 (n=31, p<0.01), RB rs=0.89 (n=31, p<0.01); QBA rs=0.93 (n=31, p<0.01).High inter-test correlations were found between AD feeding place and AD barn (rs=0.77, n=44, p<0.01), between TTI and RB (rs=0.78, n=52, p<0.01) as well as between QBA and RB (rs=0.76, n=18, p<0.01). Moderately correlated were QBA and TTI (rs=0.68, n=18, p<0.01), AD feeding place and TTI (rs=0.50, n=44, p<0.01), and AD feeding place and RB (rs=0.45, n=43, p<0,01). No significant associations were found between HW and AD.The present results suggest that TTI, RB and QBA alongside the established AD measures are suitable reactivity measures. They partly reflect similar and partly different aspects of the HAR, with an apparent clustering into distance and handling measures.

Behavioral Laterality and Facial Hair Whorls in Horses

This pilot study tested for an association between facial hair whorl characteristics and behavioral responses to a fearful stimulus in horses. Nineteen riding horses were categorized based on hair whorl characteristics (height, lateral location, and rotation). Each horse was subjected to a novel object test where an umbrella was suddenly opened. The turning response was recorded. Hair whorl rotation showed a correlation with turning response with P = .04. Clockwise hair whorls were associated with turning to the right and counterclockwise hair whorls with turning to the left. There were no significant correlations between hair whorl lateral location or height and direction turned (P > .05). In conclusion, facial hair whorls may be used as a noninvasive method to predict turning response in horses.

Maternal protective behavior of zebu type cattle (Bos indicus) and its association with temperament.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the maternal protective behavior of zebu-type cattle (Bos indicus) and its association with temperament. A total of 40 cow-calf pairs raised under extensive conditions were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups (n = 10), which were evaluated at 30, 60, 90, and 120 d postpartum (dpp), respectively. Measures obtained were defense responses of cows protecting their calves assessed by categorizing the behavioral response of the dams during handling of their calves and chute exit score and facial hair whorl (HW) position as indirect measures associated with temperament. No association was found between protective behavior and exit score or HW measures (rs < 0.22 and 0.13, respectively; P > 0.05). At 30 dpp, 90% of the cows responded to the stimulus of calves being handled, 40% reacted exclusively to alien calves, and 50% responded to their own or alien calves. Sixty days later, the proportion of cows responding to alien calves decreased (P < 0.05) to 10%, and at 120 dpp, cows responding to any calf decreased (P < 0.05) to 20%, while the nonresponding cows increased (P < 0.05) to 60%. Similarly, as dpp increased, the intensity of the reaction of the cows to the manipulation of their calves declined. The intensity of the response was exacerbated (P < 0.05) when a human being was less than 1 m distance from the calf, also when the calf was its own or when the calf vocalized. Furthermore, independent of the sex of their own calf, cows reacted more to male than female calves (P < 0.05). It was concluded that zebu cows may display maternal protective behavior to their own or alien calves, which weakens about 120 dpp and is not influenced by individual temperament.

Wpływ behawioru buhajów rasy holsztyńsko-fryzyjskiej i simentalskiej na jakość ich nasienia

The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between the behaviour of Holstein-Friesian and Simmental bulls and the quality of their semen. A total of 76 breeding bulls of the Holstein-Friesian and dual-purpose Simmental breeds were investigated. Analysis was made of the response of bulls to humans and other bulls, facial hair whorl position and length, scrotal circumference, and semen characteristics (mean ejaculate volume, mean sperm concentration, and sperm wave motion). The age and breed of the bulls had a statistically significant effect on semen quality, scrotal circumference and the animal’s response to an unfamiliar human (P<0.05; P<0.01). The coefficients of correlation between the bull’s response to a handler and to other bulls averaged 0.73. In general, only weak correlations were found between behavioural traits of the bulls and quality of their semen. It is worth noting a good correlation (r=0.50; P<0.05) between hair whorl position and sperm concentration in Simmental bulls.

Loss of anti-predator behaviors in cattle and the increased predation losses by wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains

Managing livestock near Yellowstone National Park has become an increasing challenge since conservation of wolves restricts ranchers from interfering. Even though wolves are beneficial for the ecosystem, rising predation incidences on livestock (depredations) create animosity in local farmers. Temperament selection of cattle, measured by the facial hair whorl pattern (HW)1, occurred during the last 15 years and the industry prefers calmer temperament animals. Six HWs occur in cattle (high, middle, low, abnormal, multiple and none), which are mutually exclusive and can be identified by using the eye-line as a reference point. We analyzed depredation of calves near Council, ID in 2011. A herd of 588 Black Angus × Charolais crossbreds (age range: 5 - 17 years) was observed. By analyzing the HW and age of cows in relation to depredations, we could identify a connection between these three factors (P

The relationships between temperament during routine handling tasks, weight gain and facial hair whorl position in frequently handled beef cattle

A relationship has been described between facial hair whorl position and temperament in infrequently handled beef cattle when both traits were measured on categorical scales. Hair whorl position has also been found to relate to daily weight gain in dairy heifers. Using both a categorical scale and a modified approach in which hair whorl position was recorded as a more continuous variable, the relationship between whorl position and temperament in commercially relevant contexts was examined using frequently handed beef cattle ( Bos taurus). The behaviour during restraint in a handling crush and flight speed upon exit from the crush were recorded for 76 steers and heifers (5 European crossbreeds) on 4 occasions. Temperament during restraint was recorded using both a subjective categorical score (crush score; 1–4 scale from calm to violent reaction) and, from videos, by the durations of behaviours pushing/pulling back against the bail of the crush, shaking, neck stretching, head swaying and head rising/lowering. Using still photographs, hair whorl position was recorded both categorically and as a continuous variable with respect to its position between the crown of the head and the nostrils. Weight gain was measured monthly during the 3 months of the study. Cattle with whorls located towards the top of the head on the categorical scale received a crush score indicative of greater restlessness (mean crush scores 2.70, 2.03, 2.16 and 2.11 S.E.D. 0.91, for high, middle, low and absent whorls, respectively, p < 0.05). No significant relationship between hair whorl position on either scale and flight speed was found, indicating that the association between whorl position and temperament seems to be sensitive to the precise context in which temperament is measured and, in addition, we found no link with weight gain. The value of hair whorl position as a potential indicator trait in selection against flighty temperaments in frequently handled cattle therefore seems to be limited. The causative mechanism linking hair patterning and behavioural expression in apparently normally developed cattle is uncertain and should be understood before the use of hair whorls in selective breeding could be advocated.

Facial hair whorls (trichoglyphs) and the incidence of motor laterality in the horse

Several species demonstrate obvious motor laterality (sidedness, handedness) in their motor function. Motor laterality in the horse affects locomotion and subsequently equine performance during training and may have inherent safety implications for equitation. Some of the most commonly used identification features in the horse are hair whorls (trichoglyphs), since their specific location and character vary to some degree in every horse. We investigated the relationship between the hair flow of single facial hair whorls and the incidence of lateralised motor bias in 219 horses when under saddle in ridden work. The horses exhibited significant differences in motor preferences with 104 left-lateralised (LL) horses, 95 right-lateralised (RL) horses compared to only 20 well-balanced (WB) horses (chi(2)=36.9, d.f.=2, P<0.01). There was also a significant difference in the frequency distribution of single facial hair whorl patterns in the horses consisting of 114 horses with counter-clockwise (CC) whorls, 82 horses with clockwise (C) whorls and 23 horses, which had radial (R) whorls (chi(2)=38.87, d.f.=2, P<0.01). Overall there was a statistically significant association between motor behaviour and facial hair whorl patterns in the horses (chi(2)=69.4, d.f.=4, P>0.001). The RL horses had significantly more C facial hair whorls and the LL horses had significantly more CC facial hair whorls than would be expected purely by chance alone (P<0.05). The findings may provide trainers with a useful tool when attempting to identify simple, non-invasive and reliable predictors of motor laterality in the horse. Furthermore, given that efficient targeted training of performance horses during ridden work may produce WB equine athletes, the findings could assist trainers when designing individual-specific training programmes for young horses.

A note on behaviour and heart rate in horses differing in facial hair whorl

The relationship between facial hair whorl position and reactivity, as assessed by behavioural measures (handling score = HS; startle reaction to a suddenly appearing novel object = SR; latency to touch a novel object = LNO) and heart rate measures (mean HR; increase in heart rate = IHR) were studied using 55 Konik horses reared either under conventional stable conditions or in the forest reserve. Horses were classified into four groups according to the whorl position and/or shape: (1) high, single whorl above the top eye line, n = 9; (2) medium, single whorl between the top and the bottom eye line, n = 30; (3) low, single whorl below the bottom eye line, n = 10; and (4) elongated or double whorl, n = 6. Horses with a high whorl position demonstrated a lesser degree of manageability as expressed by a lower HS compared to individuals with medium ( P = 0.002) or low whorl positions ( P = 0.016). Horses with different whorl positions did not differ significantly in their startle response to a suddenly appearing novel object ( P = 0.685). The horses with an elongated or double whorl, which appeared only in the forest group, took significantly longer to approach the novel object than horses with medium ( P = 0.006) or low ( P = 0.005) whorl positions. No significant differences in mean HR and IHR between groups (HR: P = 0.629 and IHR: P = 0.214) were found. In conclusion, this study supports the relationship between the position of the hair whorl on the horses’ head and their manageability during handling, as well as the latency to approach an unknown object.

Laterality and visuo-spatial ability in the equine: Functional measures of sport horse selection?

AbstractLaterality in any organism or species can be manifest as morphological, sensory and functional degrees of asymmetry such as hemispheric dominance, handedness or sidedness and other motor functional behaviours and as such is equally important in equitation. The influence of the horses’ sex on both the direction and the degree of the laterality was explored within and between 4 experimental procedures in the 1st study. The findings showed that the direction, but not the degree of idiosyncratic motor preference in the horses was strongly sex-related. Male horses exhibited significantly more left lateralized responses and female horses exhibited significantly more right lateralized responses. Visuo-spatial ability is also likely to be important in the performance horse. In many species, moderate to large differences in visuo-spatial ability have been reported between the sexes, with superior visuo-spatial ability being reported in males of all species investigated to date. As no known studies had addressed visuo-spatial ability in the equine, the objective of the 2nd study, was to determine if visuo-spatial ability differed between male and female horses. The results produced the first behavioural demonstration of superior visuo-spatial ability in male horses, similar to that reported in other species. There is evidence to suggest that visuospatial ability and motor laterality are associated with cerebral hemispheric asymmetry and may be intrinsically linked. Brain development and laterality have also been associated with hair patterning, and, in a 3rd study we attempted to identify predictors of lateral bias in motor behaviour in horses. We investigated the relationship between the direction of facial hair whorl rotation and the incidence/direction of laterality in the horse. The findings suggest that direction of facial hair whorl rotation may be a useful indicator of lateralised motor behavioural preferences in the horse. We then attempted to establish if laterality was evident at birth in a 4th study, where we explored if neonatal foals exhibited lateralised patterns during and immediately post the birthing process that were correlated with their facial hair whorl patterns. The results showed a significant association between the sex of the foal and the choice of foreleg presented initially during 2nd stage parturition. Significantly more colt foals led with the left foreleg and significantly more filly foals led with the right foreleg than expected purely by random and the behaviour was correlated with facial hair whorl patterns. The findings also suggest that lateralisation in the horse is determined in utero as has also been shown in humans. Comparisons of wholly intact male and female horses are warranted as they might elucidate additional linkages between motor behaviour, visuo-spatial ability and brain organisation and development in the horse. Further research in this area could lead to more appropriate competition conditions (better fence design/construction on cross-country tracks) and so eliminate unnecessary levels of risk associated with many equestrian sports.

The relationship between facial whorl direction and sidedness in ridden horses

The influence of Natural Selection on the evolution of the horse (Equus callabus) is minimal due to its close association with humans. Instead Artificial Selection is commonly imposed through selection for features such as a ‘breed standard’ or competitive ability. It has long been considered to be useful if indicators of characteristics such as physical ability could be identified. Kidd (1902) suggested that the hair coverings of animals were closely related to their lifestyle, whether they were active or passive. In 1973 Smith and Gong concluded that hair whorl (trichloglyph) pattern and human behaviour is linked since hair patterning is determined at the same time as the brain develops in the foetus. More recently Grandinet al.(1995), Randle (1998) and Lanieret al.(2001) linked features of facial hair whorls to behaviour and production in cattle. Hair whorl features have also been related to temperament in equines (Randleet al.,2003).

Phenotypic relationships between hair whorl characteristics and spermatozoal attributes in Holstein bulls

The objective of this study was to characterize facial whorl characteristics in Holstein stud bulls ( n = 485) and to investigate their association with measures of semen quantity and quality. Bulls had 1 ( n = 454), 2 ( n = 21) or no facial hair whorls ( n = 5). Some 39% of bulls had whorls in the middle of their forehead, whereas 43% had whorls very low down on their forehead. Spiral whorls were present on 77% of bulls while 22% had elongated whorls. Abnormally shaped whorls were found more often on bulls with low whorls (27% versus 17%, P = 0.01) than on bulls with high or middle whorls. Semen production data were obtained from the AI center database to provide a representative sample of each sires most recent semen production characteristics. The number of semen collections per bull averaged 38 with a range of 1 ( n = 9) to 272 ( n = 1). The average number of days between collections was 5 but varied from 1 to 425 days. Average age of bulls at first recorded collection was 679 days and ranged from 307 to 4555 days. There were no significant differences between black and white bulls in semen quality or quantity. Semen quality over the summer months was reduced in comparison to the winter months. Age of the bull at time of collection had no effect on any of the semen quality traits. Older bulls had larger scrotal circumference and produced more semen ( P > 0.01). Bulls with whorls located in the center of the forehead were not significantly different in semen quality or quantity for the 10 traits considered when compared to bulls with whorls located outside the center. In contrast to previous research findings with Angus cattle, semen attributes were not significantly different between bulls characterized with round (or spiral) epicenters and those with abnormally shaped whorls. The difference between the two studies may be due to the fact that Angus bulls have a higher percentage of abnormal elongated whorls compared to Holsteins.

Hair whorl patterns on the bovine forehead may be related to breeding soundness measures

The objective of this study was to determine if there is an association between facial hair whorl patterns on the bovine forehead and sperm morphology. Breeding soundness exams were conducted on 219 yearling bulls at three Colorado State University facilities. There were 150 Angus bulls and the remaining bulls were of several different breeds. Hair whorl patterns on the forehead were classified as round or nonround epicenters. Angus bulls with round epicenters had a higher percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa compared to nonround epicenters (P<0.05). Hair whorls on Angus bulls were sorted into two extreme groups of round spirals, with rotation or long lines that were longer than the width of the eyes. Bulls with round spirals had a greater percentage of normal spermatozoa compared to bulls with long lines (P<0.05). Hair whorl pattern on Angus bulls also had an effect on the percentage of bulls that had the minimum threshold value of 70% normal spermatozoa. Eighty percent of Angus bulls with round epicenters had >70% or more normal spermatozoa compared to 59% with a nonround epicenter (P<0.01). Fifty percent of Angus bulls with long lines failed because they had <70% normal spermatozoa. There were no significant differences in the remaining non-Angus bulls. Hair whorl patterns may be useful for making early culling decisions.

Minor physical anomalies in patients with schizophrenia and their parents: prevalence and pattern of craniofacial abnormalities

The frequency of minor physical anomalies (MPAs) in patients with schizophrenia suggests an early disturbance in the development of the neuroectoderm. To improve the phenotypic delimitation of this disorder, we used a comprehensive scale of MPAs (41 items) in patients with schizophrenia and their first-degree relatives. This scale, adapted from a revised version of the Waldrop Scale (Ismail et al. Minor physical anomalies in schizophrenic patients and their siblings, American Journal of Psychiatry 155, 1998a, 1695–1702), introduced new items assessing facial and limbs asymmetry. The interrater reliability between two examiners was good: intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.68 (0.42–0.92). Patients with schizophrenia ( n=40; mean=5.8, S.D.=4) and their non-psychotic parents ( n=45; mean=4.7, S.D.=2.8) had significantly more MPAs than healthy comparison subjects ( n=42; mean=2.2, S.D.=1.2). A logistical regression model showed the ability of several items to predict group status, including facial asymmetry, cleft palate, hair whorls and abnormal palmar crease. The high prevalence of facial asymmetry in patients with schizophrenia and their first-degree relatives provides new insights into the underlying dysembryogenic processes. This revised scale thus appears to be a useful complementary tool in pathophysiological studies aiming at the identification of developmental factors in schizophrenia.

A note on hair whorl position and cattle temperament in the auction ring

The objective of this study was to further describe the relationships between facial hair whorls and temperament in cattle. Cattle ( n=1636) from six commercial cattle auctions in Colorado and Texas were observed. Whorl location was classified according to lateral position (left, right, or middle) and height (high: above the top of the eye, middle: at eye level, low: below the bottom of the eye). A 4-point temperament score was used to rate each animal while it was in the auction ring. Cattle with a score of 1 remained calm and stood still or walked around, and those with a score of 4 were highly agitated and hit the ring fence, walls, partitions, or people with its head. The cattle observed were 75% Bos taurus beef breeds, 21% Holstein dairy cattle, 3% Bos indicus beef breeds, and 1% non-Holstein dairy breeds. Ten percent of cattle surveyed had no facial hair whorl, while 86% had a single spiral hair whorl, of which 47% had middle–middle whorl placement. Animals with a high whorl position or no hair whorl had higher temperament scores ( P=0.01). Cattle with low whorls were more likely to have greater lateral displacement of whorls off of the centerline than cattle with high or middle whorls ( P<0.01). Abnormally shaped whorls were more common on cattle with low whorls ( P<0.01) and on cattle with lateral whorls located off of the centerline ( P<0.01). Cattle with hair whorls on the centerline had more variable temperament scores ( P=0.04). Beef cattle had more abnormal whorls than Holsteins ( P<0.01). Temperament scores showed that Holsteins were calmer than beef cattle ( P<0.01). Facial hair whorls in cattle may be a useful management tool in assessing which animals may become disturbed in novel environments.

Facial hair whorl position and temperament in cattle

The relationship between hair whorl position and temperament in 57 Bos taurus cattle was assessed in a post hoc investigation. Individuals were scored on nineteen measures of personality, fourteen of which related to temperament. Measures obtained included response to a novel object, cognitive problem solving ability and response to a familiar human, an unfamiliar human and humans in general. Individuals were categorised as having a single whorl below the eyes, 26%, between the eyes, 54% or above the eyes, 18%, or a double whorl (one individual) by two judges independently. There was high agreement between the judges ( P<0.001). Response to a novel object, cognitive problem solving ability and response to a familiar human were not associated with whorl position. A measure of the `general response' of the cattle to human was derived based on the combination of flight distance, cow to human score (a measure of interest in the human) and human to cow score (a measure of toleration of the human). Whilst the general response of cattle to a familiar human was not associated with whorl position, the general response of cattle to an unfamiliar human was ( P<0.05). Individuals with mid whorls exhibited significantly greater flight distances to an unfamiliar human than did individuals with low whorls ( P<0.01). Individuals with mid whorls were significantly more interested in an unfamiliar human than were individuals with low whorls ( P<0.05). It was concluded that this study supported previous work relating hair whorl position and temperament in cattle.

Cattle with hair whorl patterns above the eyes are more behaviorally agitated during restraint

Hair whorl position on the forehead may be of value in selecting breeding cattle for a calm temperament. A total of 1500 cattle weighing 180–360 kg were temperament rated on a four-point scale. Seventy-two percent of the cattle were European × British breed crosses and 28% were Zebu × dairy breed crosses from Mexico. Cattle with a round hair whorl located above the eyes became significantly more agitated while they were restrained in a squeeze chute (crush) compared to cattle with a hair whorl located either between the eyes or below the eyes. For both the Bos taurus and Bos indicus crossbreeds, animals with hair whorls located below the eyes were rated calmer. There is a positive linear relationship ( P < 0.001) between cattle temperament while restrained in a squeeze chute and the location of facial hair whorls. The cattle observed in this study were extensively raised and had a large flight zone when approached by people. Casual observations indicate that the relationship between hair whorl position and temperament is most easily observed in cattle that do not have daily close contact with people.