Hill Cattle Research Articles

Knowledge, attitude and practices towards antibiotic usage among farmers rearing yaks, dzomo and hill cattle in the high-altitude regionsof Himachal Pradesh

The present cross-sectional survey aimed to investigate knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of farmers of high altitude regions of Himachal Pradesh towards antibiotics and their usage. The survey was carried out using pre-validated questionnaires among 162 farmers (40 males and 122 females) engaged in animal husbandry practices particularly rearing yaks, dzomo and hill cattle from Lahaul, Spiti and Kinnaur regions of Himachal Pradesh. More than 75% of the respondents were aware of antibiotics, with females (83.6%) having more knowledge in comparison to males (52.5%). Using antibiotics in lactating animals may lead to, occurrence of antibiotics or their residues in milk, question was correctly answered by 110/162 (67.91%) respondents with significant difference with respect to educational levels. It was observed that 78.68% respondents adopted the best practice of not purchasing antibiotics without prescription. Overall, it was found that farmers’ perceptions of the use of antibiotics and their side effects are directly influenced by their education. Majority of the farmers were having significant knowledge regarding antibiotics, their usage and effects on consumers. They also had very positive attitude towards antibiotic usage but the practices were average in context of purchasing of antibiotics without prescription and consumption of milk from animals undergoing treatment. Therefore, education of farmers on food safety and antibiotic misuse becomes imperative for production of good quality animal origin foods.

Productive and Reproductive Performance of Farmers Managed Dairy Cattle in Western Chitwan, Nepal

The productive and reproductive performances of dairy cattle along with the management aspects of the farm have a direct effect on farm profitability. The present study was carried out from a sample of 120 dairy herds using pretested and well-organized semi- structured questionnaire in Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Chitwan. Productive and reproductive performances of two common breeds, Jersey Cross and Holstein Cross were analyzed. The average daily milk yield, lactation length, lactation milk yield, peak yield and dry period for Jersey Cross and Holstein Cross with the Nepalese hill cattle were observed to be 7.39±0.87 and 9.30±0.76 L./day; 303.31±8.12 and 314.18±12.75 days; 2253.39±265.28 and 2936.36±237.55 L.; 12.77±0.92 and 15.11±0.85 L. and 65.26±7.71 and 70.83±10.27 days respectively. The age at first calving (29.08±1.99 and 30.42±1.81 months), Service period (82.37±10.99 and 100.64±13.44 days), Service per conception (1.71±0.54 and 1.82±0.58 times/cow) and Calving interval (365.37±10.92 and 385.56±13.46 days) respectively for Jersey crosses and Holesteinc crosses. The significant relationship (p<0.05) was found between farms having single breeds and double breeds on the productive performances. Likewise, the significant relationship (p<0.05) was also found between farms having single and double breeds on reproductive performances. The significant relationship (p<0.05) was observed between the herd size and age at first calving on jersey cross and none of the parameters showed significant relationship (p>0.05) between the herd size and productive parameters. Further research on needs to be carried out see the particular relationships among production, reproduction and management aspects.

Reversal of Phorate Induced Immunotoxicity and Oxidative Stress due to in vitro Exposure of Indigenous Hill Cattle Cow Urine in Chicken Lymphocytes

Cow urine has been described in ‘Sushrut Samhita’ and ‘Ashtanga Sangraha’ to be the most effective secretion of animal origin with innumerable therapeutic values. Cow urine or gau-mutra has a unique place in Ayurveda and is suggested for improving general health. Cow urine has many beneficial properties particularly in the areas of agriculture and therapeutics. Phorate is a broad spectrum, non-biocumulative organophosphorus insecticide and acaricide. It is extremely toxic to mammals and other non-target organisms. Present paper reports ameliorating effects of Badri cow urine distillate (CUD) against phorate induced immunotoxicity and oxidative stress in chicken lymphocytes culture employing lymphocyte proliferation assay and nitric oxide (NO) estimation. In vitro exposure of thousand times dilution of No Observable Effect Level (NOEL/103) dose of phorate caused immunotoxic effects as displayed by decrease in B and T cells proliferation. In case of combination treatments of phorate and CUD, there was increase in B and T cells proliferation as compared to only pesticide treated cells. There was an increase in oxidative stress on measuring nitric oxide level in phorate treated cells as compared to control cells and combination treated groups. Thus, it could be inferred that cow urine ameliorated the phorate induced immunotoxicity and oxidative stress in chicken lymphocytes.

Phenotypic characterization of Dagri cattle of Gujarat

A hill cattle population locally known as Dagri reared by tribals from eastern border districts of Gujarat adjoiningto Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, mainly Dahod and Chhotaudepur and to some extent Panchmahal, Mahisagarand Narmada was investigated for its phenotypic characterization. A total of 606 animals were examined for bodymeasurements. Body weight of the newborn calf (4) and preweaning weight (24) were recorded by actualmeasurement on the weighing scale while, the body weight of animals above 1-year (606) was derived from bodymeasurements using standard formula. Body measurements in males, females and heifers were taken on 606 animals. Milk composition was studied in milk samples from 50 cows. Draughtability was also studied on 11 pairs ofbullocks. Dagri animals possessed predominantly white coat colour (males 95.45%; females 86.89%). Muzzle colour was mainly black (males 95.45%; females 91.59%). Eyelids were mainly black (males 100%; females 98.22%). Horn and tail switch were mainly black while hoof colour was mainly pale black. Horns were curved and oriented upward-outward. Forehead was straight. Ears were small oriented horizontally. Dagri cattle had small hump, dewlap and naval flap. The udder was bowl shaped, small sized with round tipped cylindrical teats and with no prominent milk vein. The means (cm) for chest girth, body length, height at withers and hip height were 134.40±4.03, 115.46±3.37, 106.66±2.11 and 109.13±1.84, respectively, in adult males and 128.93±0.35, 110.82±0.34, 102.46±0.28 and 104.99±0.26, respectively, in adult females. The means (cm) for face length, tail length, horn length, horn circumference, hump height, navel length, dewlap length, forehead width, ear length and ear width were 35.86±1.00, 67.33±1.37, 21.64±2.65, 18.00±0.85, 10.00±0.66, 05.87±0.54, 78.40±2.57, 15.66±0.54, 21.06±0.78 and 10.00±0.32 respectively in adult males and 35.95±0.10, 66.91±0.25, 19.26±0.29, 12.91±0.10, 06.98±0.06, 01.40±0.06, 72.86±0.35, 13.12±0.05, 19.23±0.11, 10.50±0.06 cm, respectively, in adult females. The mean body weight (kg) at different age groups, viz. birth weight, pre-weaning weight, body weight at 12 months, body weight at 24 months and adult weight were 16.75±0.25, 27.12±2.02, 60.02±19.85, 108.08±13.72, 223.85±14.70, respectively, in males and 13.0±1.0, 27.1±3.01, 66.5±7.16, 116.7±8.67, 169.63±1.21, respectively, in females. Reproduction traits, viz. age at first oestrus, age at first mating, age at first calving were 32 to 42, 42 to 48 and 48 to 60 months, respectively, in females. Production traits, viz. daily milk yield, lactation length and lactation milk yield were 1.75 kg, 120–240 days and 75–600 kg, respectively. These data were derived from farmers’ personal interview at their doorstep. Milk fat and SNF percentage were 4.08% and 9.18%. This lesser known population of hilly cattle was not recognized and registered as distinct breed before this investigation. This study played a major role in recognition and registration of this population. As a result of these efforts it is now recognized and registered as new cattle breed with accession no. INDIA_CATTLE_0400_DAGRI_03046.

Factor Analysis of Body Measurements of Zobawng Cows - a local hill cattle of Mizoram, India

Factor Analysis of Body Measurements of Zobawng Cows - a local hill cattle of Mizoram, India

Antioxidative activity and protein profile of skim milk of Gaddi goats and hill cattle of North West Himalayan region.

Aim:This study was aimed at evaluation of antioxidative activity, protein profile, and vitamins content of milk of Gaddi goats, local non-Gaddi goats, hill cattle, and Jersey crossbred cattle.Materials and Methods:Total phenol, antioxidant activity measured as 2, 2-diphenyl- 1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging capacity, total protein, and vitamins were estimated in milk samples by spectrophotometric methods. Milk protein profiles were studied by sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.Results:Total phenol, antioxidant activity, and total protein were higher in indigenous hill cattle skim milk. Average protein content in raw skimmed milk was 1.33±0.01, 1.03±0.02, 0.76±0.05, and 0.81±0.01%, in indigenous hill cattle, Jersey crossbred cattle, non -Gaddi goat, and Gaddi goat, respectively. Three proteins of 19.01, 22.08, and 32.96 kDa were observed in Gaddi goat, but not in non -Gaddi goat skim milk. Furthermore, the above proteins were absent in cattle skim milk. Two proteins of 15.56 and 25.06 kDa were found in local hill and crossbred cattle skimmed milk, but were absent in goat skimmed milk. Vitamin C content was the lowest in Gaddi goat milk and the highest in Jersey crossbred cattle milk.Conclusion:It is envisaged that bioactive metabolites in the milk of Gaddi goats and hill cattle might offer anti-aging and beneficial health effects.

Seasonal variations in physiological response and heat tolerance indices of Sahiwal, HF x Sahwial crossbred and Hill (Badri) Cattle under farm conditions of Uttarakhand

Present investigation was conducted on Sahiwal, crossbred (Sahiwal x Holstein Friesian) and Hill (Badri) cattle to study the effect of season on physiological response and heat tolerance indices under farm condition in foot hills of Uttarakhand. Physiological responses of eighteen primiparous lactating cows (four in each group) were recorded daily in morning (9:00 am) and evening (3:00 pm) for 20 days in summer, rainy and winter season. Heat tolerance indices like Temperature humidity index, Iberia heat tolerance coefficient, Benezara coefficient of adaptability and Dairy search index were calculated. There was a significant (P≤0.05) difference between mean morning and evening rectal temperature (RT), respiration (RR) and pulse rate (PR) between indigenous and crossbred cows during summer and rainy season. Also significant (P≤0.05) difference was found between winter vs. summer/ rainy season with respect to morning and evening RT, RR and PR in all the groups. Crossbred cows had RT, RR and PR than indigenous counterparts in all the season. In winter all physiological parameters were significantly (P≤0.05) lower than summer/ rainy season in all the groups. Heat tolerance indices indicated that Sahiwal cows were more heat resistant than Hill (Badri) cows and crossbred cows, the least heat resistant during summer and rainy season. Moreover, during winter season none of the groups were under climatic stress. Study indicated that indigenous breeds were more adaptive to the stressful climatic condition in foot hills of Uttarakhand.

Allyl-isothiocyanate ameliorates the pre-neoplastic changes induced by the fern Dryopteris nigropalaceae on experimental feeding in Guinea pigs

Enzootic bovine haematuria, caused by long-term ingestion of ferns, is a chronic disease of hill cattle characterized by neoplastic lesions in the urinary bladder. Objectives of this study were to investigate the toxicity potential of long-term feeding of the fern Dryopteris nigropalaceae and effect of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) to ameliorate fern toxicity and the associated pathological changes. The LC-MS analysis of the fern showed presence of ptaquiloside (4.5 ± 1.0 μg/g) and pterosin B (39 ± 9.1 μg/g). Groups of animals were fed dried fern powder at the dose of 20% w/w in normal feed and treated with and without AITC at graded doses. Long term feeding of fern induced inflammatory and pre-neoplastic lesions in urinary bladder. The important lesions included cystitis, squamous metaplasia and high-grade dysplasia. Urothelium showed positive immunoreactions for nuclear expression of H-ras and p53. However, no mutation suggestive of neoplastic change was observed on partial mRNA sequences analyses of exon 2 of H-ras and 5 or 7&8 of p53 genes. Strikingly, AITC showed dose-dependent amelioration of pre-neoplastic changes in fern-fed animals. In conclusion, AITC is shown to limit pre-neoplastic changes caused by D. nigropalaceae feeding in guinea pigs.

Performance studies of hill cattle: A unique indigenous germplasm of Uttarakhand

Performance studies of hill cattle: A unique indigenous germplasm of Uttarakhand

Comparative study on some morphological and performance traits of Hill cattle, Sahiwal and crossbred cattle

A total of 720 animals were selected comprising of 260 Sahiwal (SC), 260 Crossbred (CB) and 200 Hill cattle (HC) of different age and sex to study body morphometric and performance traits. There was a significant (P?0.05) difference between body morphometric traits between Hill cattle and Sahiwal as well as between Hill cattle and crossbreds. Estimates of almost all the body morphometric traits in all the age groups were significantly (P?0.05) lower in Hill cattle than rest two groups (Sahiwal and crossbreds). The estimates of these traits were statistically indifferent between Sahiwal and crossbreds cattle except in greater than 36 months age group, where these were significantly (P?0.05) higher for crossbreds. Age at first calving was significantly (P?0.05) lower in crossbreds than indigenous breeds while as service period was lowest in Hill cows and maximum in Sahiwal cows. Dry period and calving interval were significantly (P?0.05) highest in Sahiwal cows.

Colostrum and milk composition during postpartum period in Hill cow, sahiwal and crossbreds cow

The study was undertaken to determine the composition of colostrum and milk of Hill cattle during postpartum period and compared them to Sahiwal and crossbred cow. Fifteen colostrum samples per day from each group of cow (as per availability) were collected during first five postpartum days while as milk samples were collected from eight cow each of Sahiwal and crossbreds and six form Hill cow, at fortnightly interval up to 32 weeks postpartum. These samples were subjected to various physico-chemical analyses. There was a significant (P?0.05) difference between overall mean protein per cent, pH and electrical conductivity in the colostrum of Hill cow, Sahiwal and crossbred cow but lactose per cent did not diffe significantly. In milk there was a significant (P?0.05) difference between overall mean of fat, protein, solid not fat, total solids per cent, pH, electric conductivity, somatic cell count and milk yield of Hill cow, Sahiwal and crossbreds while non-significant (P?0.05) difference was noticed for lactose per cent and specific gravity. The colostrum of Hill cow and Sahiwal were richer in protein, fat, lactose, TS and ash content as compared to crossbred cow. Milk of Hill cow had higher content of protein, fat, SNF, TS and lower pH, EC and SCC compared to crossbreds and Sahiwal.

Principal component analysis of biometric traits to reveal body confirmation in local hill cattle of Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh, India

Aim:In the present study, biometric traits (body length [BL], heart girth [HG], paunch girth (PG), forelimb length (FLL), hind limb length (HLL), face length, forehead width, forehead length, height at hump, hump length (HL), hook to hook distance, pin to pin distance, tail length (TL), TL up to switch, horn length, horn circumference, and ear length were studied in 218 adult hill cattle of Himachal Pradesh for phenotypic characterization.Materials and Methods:Morphological and biometrical observations were recorded on 218 hill cattle randomly selected from different districts within the breeding tract. Multivariate statistics and principal component analysis are used to account for the maximum portion of variation present in the original set of variables with a minimum number of composite variables through Statistical software, SAS 9.2.Result:Five components were extracted which accounted for 65.9% of variance. The first component explained general body confirmation and explained 34.7% variation. It was represented by significant loading for BL, HG, PG, FLL, and HLL. Communality estimate ranged from 0.41 (HL) to 0.88 (TL). Second, third, fourth, and fifth component had a high loading for tail characteristics, horn characteristics, facial biometrics, and rear body, respectively.Conclusion:The result of component analysis of biometric traits suggested that indigenous hill cattle of Himachal Pradesh are small and compact size cattle with a medium hump, horizontally placed short ears, and a long tail. The study also revealed that factors extracted from the present investigation could be used in breeding programs with sufficient reduction in the number of biometric traits to be recorded to explain the body confirmation.

Indigenous cattle of Tripura- characterisation and performance evaluation

Surveys were conducted in 15 villages of 4 districts of the Tripura state to characterise and evaluate indigenous cattle of Tripura. Cattle owners (100) were interviewed to generate the information on management and performance. Information on different characteristics were generated by recording of different parameters on 364 animals of different age and sex. In the state there were 9.54 lakh cattle available in the year 2007; 8.28% (0.79 lakh) were crossbreds and rest 91.72% (8.75 lakh) indigenous. Cattle were reared for milk (42%), bullock power (12%), both the purposes (46%) and manure (100%). Animals were reared mainly on extensive system of management. Animals were smaller in size with cylindrical type of body. Animals were well built and compact with strong legs. The coat colour varies i.e. brown (46.15%), red (21.16%), black (16.76%) and grey/white (15.93). Biometric parameters indicated that animals were similar to the hill cattle Kumaun region of Uttarakhand. Daily milk yield ranged from 0.5 to 5.0 kg with an average of 1.36 kg. It may be concluded that indigenous cattle in Tripura showed uniformity in physical and morphometric characteristics and contributes significantly in the economy of the state. It was also observed that cows had good potential for milk production in the difficult area. Therefore, there is a urgent need to register this population as a breed and plan genetic improvement programs to improve the productivity of indigenous cows in the Tripura state.

Sequence, Phylogenetic and Homology Analysis of Toll-Like Receptor Gene TLR7 in Bos indicus from High Altitude Areas of Uttarakhand State, India

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a significant role in the modulation of innate immune system, and till date 10 TLR genes have been identified in bovines. TLR3, TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9 recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns specific to viruses. The foremost aim of this work was to characterize the TLR7 gene, which mainly recognizes the ssRNA viruses. The complete ORF of the TLR7 gene (3.17 kb) was amplified, cloned and sequenced for analysis from local non-descript cattle (Bos indicus) reared in high altitude areas of temperate western Himalayan region. It revealed 98.9–99.6 % amino acid sequence identity with different breeds of cattle, and 87.1–98.9 % identity with other species (bubaline, equine, swine, ovine). Phylogenetic analysis of the hill cattle TLR7 showed clustering of sequences in a group and nearest common ancestry with bubaline (Bubalus bubalis; Murrah buffalo). Homology prediction of hill cattle TLR7 revealed highly conserved horseshoe shaped solenoid structure as found in other TLR structures. The structure consisted of 25 parallel β-strands, perpendicular to the solenoid axis and connected to each other by intervening loops. The hill cattle TLR7 showed unique substitutions at three amino acid positions compared to any other cattle breeds viz. Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, Gir, Kankrej, Hariana (K687 → Q, S731 → P, and Y890 → H). The substitution, S731 → P appeared to be critical, as the amino acid proline is involved in the formation of hinge or kink in a protein molecule.

Characterization and evaluation of hill cattle of Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India

A survey was conducted in 18 villages of Rudarpryag, Chamoli and Uttarkashi districts of Garhwal region to characterize hill cattle in the region. A total of 146 farmers and 451 animals of different age and sex were covered in the present study. The survey revealed that there is large number of hill cattle in the region. Animals of were reared on semi intensive system of management. Grazing was from afternoon to evening during the whole year. Animals were smaller in size with cylindrical type of body. The black body colour predominates in the region. Udder was small, touching to the body, not well developed and milk veins were not prominent. Sizes of fore and rear udder were small. The ranges of different biometric traits showed that animals are similar to Vechur and Panganaur for their size and smaller than the Hariana and Sahiwal breeds of cattle. The average age at first calving, daily milk yield, lactation length, dry period, service period and calving interval were 42 months, 1.52 kg, 285 days, 120 days, 110 days and 364 days, respectively. A pair of bullock may plough about 4–6 Nali of land in 3 to 4 hours in a day. A total of 51 blood samples of unrelated hill cattle animals were collected from Garhwal region for genetic characterization. DNA was isolated and analyzed by a panel of 21 microsatellite markers. The average observed and expected number of alleles, observed and expected heterozygocity and heterozygote deficit were 12.91 (6–12), 5.66 (2.41 to 11.39), 0.699 (0.271 to 0.938), 0.782 (0.585 to 0.912) and 0.118 (−0.198 to 0.537), respectively. The different genetic diversity parameters showed that population is comparable with the hill cattle of Kumanu region and Hariana cattle. Different parameters showed sufficient allelic diversity in the population.

Detannification of Oak (Quercus leucotrichophora) Leaves Through Simple Physical Treatments

Oak (Quercus leucotrichophora) leaves are adequately available as scarcity fodder in North West Himalayan Region of India, but poisoning, even death due to its consumption, limits its use as a sole feed in hill cattle, sheep and goat. Information on easily adaptable technology for detoxification and detannification of leaves are lacking in the literature. Therefore, present experiment was planned for a nutrient protective detoxification and detannification process of Q. leucotrichophora leaves. Five different physical treatments viz., water soaking (12h), sun-drying (5d), shade-drying (5d), chopping and chopping and water soaking of locally collected fresh leaves were done, taking fresh leaves as control. The composition of fresh leaves remained comparable to that of different processed leaves except a small decrease (P<0.05) in total carbohydrate content due to water-soaking and chopping and water-soaking. All the physical treatments were effective in reducing all the polyphenols. Reduction was the maximum for hydrolysable tannins (87.54%), followed by total tannins (70.35%), total phenolics (58.17%), condensed tannins (24.39%) and non-tannin phenolics (1.85%). Maximum reduction in hydrolysable tannin (87.54%) and condensed tannin (24.39%) levels were achieved by chopping combined with water soaking, and least reduction was by shade-drying. On the basis of results, it may be concluded that chopping followed by water soaking would be the best nutrient protective processing technique for detoxification and detannification of Q. leucotrichophora leaves.

Hill cattle of Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand

The Pithoragarh district had 2.23 lakh of cattle and 0.86 lakh buffaloes in 2003. Among the cattle there were 92.81% indigenous and most of them (more than 99%) were non- descript and need their characterization. A survey, including 82 farmers and 194 animals of different age and sex was conducted in 8 villages of Munsyari block of Pithoragarh district to characterize the hill cattle. The survey revealed that large number of hill cattle were available in the remote areas like in Munsyari block of the district and in surrounding areas there were large number of crossbred cattle mainly reared for milk production. In the surveyed area cattle were reared for milk, bullock power and manure. Animals were reared mainly on semi-intensive system of management i.e. grazing from morning to afternoon and thereafter stall feeding. In some villages there were no grazing, all the animals were stall fed. Animals were small in size with cylindrical-shaped body. Body colours vary in different colours i.e. brown, black and white or black &amp; white. Tail was long touching to ground with black or white switch. The ranges of different biometric traits showed that animals were closer to Vechur and Punganaur breeds of cattle for their shape and size but smaller than the Hariana and Sahiwal breeds of cattle. The hill cattle available in Pithoragarh area were smaller in size as compared to hill cattle of Almora and bigger to that of cattle of Rudarprayag district. The average birth weight was 9.14 kg The average age at first calving, daily milk yield, lactation length, dry period, service period and calving interval were 40 months, 1.41 kg, 208 days, 138 days, 105 days and 485 days, respectively. Bullocks of the breed were used for 25–40 days in a year for different agricultural operations. A pair of bullock could plough about 6–8 Nali (0.4 acre) of land in a day.

Assessment of genetic variability in Hill cattle of Garhwal region of Uttarakhand by microsatellite markers

Knowledge of livestock genetic diversity is a crucial step to respond to commercial requirements and achieve production objectives in different environments and production systems. We investigated population genetic diversity in a hitherto unexplored Hill cattle population of Garhwal region of Uttarakhand state using microsatellite markers. A total of 48 individuals belonging to the Garhwal Hill cattle population were typed with 21 microsatellites. A mean of 12.61±4.80 alleles per locus was typed, indicating high allelic diversity in the population. The mean number of effective alleles per locus was 5.66±2.64. The studied population had high gene diversity indicated by high mean observed and expected heterozygosities across the 21 loci, i.e. 0.699±0.19 and 0.721±0.10 respectively. Mean PIC across the investigated loci was 0.782±0.10. The mean F1’s value was 0.118±0.17 indicating inbreeding in the population. Genetic bottleneck evaluated by IAM, TPM and SMM methods as well as frequency distribution was found to be absent in the evaluated population.

Differentiation of four indian aboriginal cattle populations revealed by SIR markers

Cattle are the most important livestock in India and play a pivotal role in agrarian economy. There are 34 recognized breeds of cattle and number of unexplored lesser known populations. The present study is a contribution towards determining genetic variation and understanding the relationship among four lesser known populations. A total of 194 unrelated DNA samples from three cattle populations of Orissa (Binjharpuri, Ghumsuri, Motu) and Hill cattle of Kumaun (Kumauni) were collected from respective breeding tracts. Genotyping was done with 23 bovine microsatellite markers as suggested by International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG) and FAO (DAD-IS) on automated sequencer. The average observed heterozygosity in the four populations lie within the narrow range of 0.623 +/- 0.04 in Binjharpuri to 0.664 +/- 0.03 in Kumauni. Mean estimates of observed and expected heterozygosity over all loci and breeds were 0.651 +/- 0.02 and 0.720 +/- 0.01, respectively. In the overall population, the homozygote excess (F(IT)) of 0.132 +/- 0.03, was partly due to the genetic differentiation among breeds (F(ST) = 0.044 +/- 0.01) and, to a larger extent, to a significant homozygote excess within breeds (F(IS) = 0.094 +/- 0.03). The phylogenetic reconstruction from a UPGMA clustering based on Nei's Standard genetic distance yielded a tree with Binjharpuri and Ghumsuri on a single node and Motu and Kumauni on separate nodes. The most probable clustering detected by STRUCTURE in population was three. Binjharpuri and Ghumsuri animals were assigned to one cluster with high proportion of membership.

Detection of occurrence of a recent genetic bottleneck event in Indian hill cattle breed Bargur using microsatellite markers

The effective number of breedable individuals is a crucial determinant for maintaining genetic variability within a population. The population of Bargur, the hill cattle of South India, has gone down drastically by more than 93 % in the past three decades, and only a few thousand animals are available at present. The present study was undertaken to evaluate Bargur cattle for mutation drift equilibrium and to detect the occurrence of recent genetic bottleneck event, if any, in this population. About 50 unrelated animals, true to the type, were sampled and genotyped at 25 microsatellite loci. The mean observed heterozygosity (0.808 ± 0.023) was higher than the mean expected heterozygosity (0.762 ± 0.008) with 15 out of 25 microsatellite loci exhibiting heterozygosity excess when assumed under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. To evaluate Bargur cattle for mutation drift equilibrium, three tests were performed under three different mutation models, viz., infinite allele model (IAM), stepwise mutation model (SMM) and two-phase model (TPM). The observed gene diversity (H (e)) and expected equilibrium gene diversity (H(eq)) were estimated under different models of microsatellite evolution. All the 25 loci were found to exhibit gene diversity excess under IAM and TPM, while 22 loci were having gene diversity excess under SMM. All the three statistical tests, viz., sign test, standardized differences test, and Wilcoxon sign rank test, revealed significant (P < 0.01) deviation of Bargur cattle population from mutation-drift equilibrium under all the three models of mutation. Furthermore, the qualitative test of allele frequency distribution in Bargur cattle population revealed a strong mode shift from the normal L-shaped form suggesting that the population had experienced genetic bottleneck in the recent past. The occurrence of genetic bottleneck might have led to the loss of several rare alleles in the population, which point towards the need for efforts to conserve this important cattle germplasm. The present study is the first report in demonstrating the genetic basis of demographic bottleneck in an Indian cattle population.