Domestic Animal Populations Research Articles

A Comparison of Traditional and Geometric Morphometric Techniques for the Study of Basicranial Morphology in Horses: A Case Study of the Araucanian Horse from Colombia.

Simple SummarySkull size and shape have been widely used to study domestic animal populations and breeds. Although several techniques have been proposed to quantify cranial form, few attempts have been made to compare the results obtained by different techniques. In this study, two morphometric methods were compared for their ability in describing external morphology. The use of geometric morphometrics combined with multivariate statistical methods is an efficient way to characterize shape and size, thus allowing greater understanding of locally adapted breeds. The Araucanian horse from Colombia inhabits the eastern plains of Arauca. The objective was to compare linear and geometric morphometrics applied to the morphology of the skull of the Araucanian horse, specifically in the basal cranial region. Twenty dry skulls of adult males were examined and were separated into two age groups based on molar eruption and wear. A photograph was taken and a 100 mm scale was placed over each sample. Linear values were obtained from the distance between homologous points from a set of reference points. For the geometric morphometrics analysis, eight paired and five mid-sagittal reference points were used. The geometric morphometric method was more discriminant than linear morphometry and it provides more information about the contour and shape of the face. Future studies should aim to understand the role of phenotypic plasticity in equine race variations and their genetic basis.Skull size and shape have been widely used to study domestic animal populations and breeds. Although several techniques have been proposed to quantify cranial form, few attempts have been made to compare the results obtained by different techniques. While linear morphometrics has traditionally been used in breed characterization, recent advances in geometric morphometrics have created new techniques for specifically quantifying shape and size. The objective of this study was to compare two morphometric methods for their ability to describe external morphology. For this purpose, 20 skull specimens of adult male Araucanian horses were examined. Two age categories were established (the “mature group”, M3 not fully erupted to moderately worn, n = 7; and the “senile group”, M3 totally erupted and highly worn, n = 13). Both methods showed that there were statistical differences between generations, but discrimination rates were different between methods with the geometric morphometric analysis obtaining a rate of 97.5%. Although linear morphometrics was found to be compatible with geometric morphometrics, the latter was better able to discriminate the two groups and it also provides more information on shape.

Herpesvirus diseases of domestic animals and game species in the Slovak Republic.

Herpesviruses are DNA viruses that cause serious latent infections in humans and animals. These pathogens significantly influence the animal health and economy of animal husbandry. The reduction of production parameters, abortions, birth of weak individuals and by costs associated with the elimination and monitoring of herpesvirus diseases are among the most serious harms caused by herpesviruses. In our review we focused mainly on herpesvirus diseases in pigs and cattle (Aujeszky's disease, bovine infectious pustular vulvovaginitis and balanoposthitis, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis) and herpesvirus diseases in red deer, dogs, and carps. In the past, these herpesvirus diseases have caused considerable economic losses in livestock. At present, several of these diseases are eliminated in the Slovak territory. Currently, a continuous monitoring is carried out not only in populations of domestic animals, but also in wild animals, which are the main reservoirs of the mentioned herpesviruses. Keywords: herpesvirus; Aujeszky's disease; animals; fish; eradication; Slovak Republic.

Wild Bird Surveillance for Avian Influenza Virus.

Avian influenza (AI) viruses have been routinely isolated from a wide diversity of free-living avian species, representing numerous taxonomic orders. Birds in orders Anseriformes and Charadriiformes are considered the natural reservoirs for all AI viruses; it is from these orders that AI viruses have been most frequently isolated. Since first recognized in the late 1800s, AI viruses have been an important cause of disease in poultry and, occasionally, in non-gallinaceous birds and mammals. While AI viruses tend to be of low pathogenicity (LP) in wild birds, the 2014-2015 incursion of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) clade 2.3.4.4 H5Nx viruses into North America and the recent circulation of HPAI H5 viruses in European wild birds highlight the need for targeted, thorough, and continuous surveillance programs in the wild bird reservoir. Such programs are crucial to understanding the potential risk for the incursion of AI into human and domestic animal populations. The aim of this chapter is to provide general concepts and guidelines for the planning and implementation of surveillance plans for AI viruses in wild birds.

Candidatus Neoehrlichia sp. (FU98) and Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato in Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from Serbia

Abstract Human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, and environmental pollution lead to a reduction in the spatial boundary between wild animals, domestic animals and humans. These activities increase the risk for the emergence of pathogens from the sylvatic cycle in the population of domestic animals and humans. Foxes are recognized as potential reservoirs for a number of bacterial pathogens of medical and public health concern. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and spatial distribution of bacterial tick-borne pathogens from the Anaplasmataceae family, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.), Rickettsia spp., Coxiella burnetii, Francisella tularensis, Bartonella spp., in the red fox population from Serbia and to discuss the obtained results from the epidemiological point of view. Legally hunted red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from 14 localities in Serbia were included in the study and spleen samples from 129 animals were tested with conventional PCR assays for the presence of bacterial tick-borne pathogens. DNA of Candidatus Neoehrlichia sp. (FU98), Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia lusitaniae, and Borrelia garinii was detected in 6 (4.7%), 1 (0.8%), 2 (1.6%) and 1 (0.8%) animals, respectively. Co-infection by Candidatus Neoehrlichia sp. (FU98) and B. garinii was detected in one animal. All samples were negative for other tested bacterial tick-borne pathogens. The results of the present study indicate the potential role of foxes in natural cycles of Candidatus Neoehrlichia sp. (FU98) and causative agents of Lyme borreliosis in the investigated areas. Further research is required to elucidate the role of foxes in the epidemiology of these and other tick-borne zoonotic pathogens in the Republic of Serbia.

Dynamic and integrative approaches to understanding pathogen spillover.

Dynamic and integrative approaches to understanding pathogen spillover.

Development of Smart Pet House with AI Function

The population of domestic companion animals is estimated to be about 10 million now. In recent years, the domestic pet market has been launching a wide range of products and services for high quality, smart and well-being. As a result, the market size will increase from 900 billion won in 2012 to 2.3 trillion won in 2016, which has more than doubled in five years. The industry expects to reach 6 trillion won by 2020, expecting 3 trillion won this year. In particular, domestic dogs and cats market is estimated at 275.5 billion won, accounting for 19% of the domestic animal market and 1.425 billion won for the world market. However, despite the growing market for companion animals products, unfortunately the import dependence on related industrial goods is still high and the quality of service is very low. Unlike Europe and the United States, 90% of companion animals are housed in apartments, often causing problems in the health and safety of companions and companions. The purpose of this study is to develop a smart house for companion animals with environmental friendliness and AI function that can be won in competition with products of developed countries. The results of this study are expected to contribute to the creation of a new value - added base for the related industries through the strengthening of the competitiveness of the related SMEs and further the effect of employment increase and import substitution.

Evolution and Interspecies Transmission of Canine Distemper Virus-An Outlook of the Diverse Evolutionary Landscapes of a Multi-Host Virus.

Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a worldwide distributed virus which belongs to the genus Morbillivirus within the Paramyxoviridae family. CDV spreads through the lymphatic, epithelial, and nervous systems of domestic dogs and wildlife, in at least six orders and over 20 families of mammals. Due to the high morbidity and mortality rates and broad host range, understanding the epidemiology of CDV is not only important for its control in domestic animals, but also for the development of reliable wildlife conservation strategies. The present review aims to give an outlook of the multiple evolutionary landscapes and factors involved in the transmission of CDV by including epidemiological data from multiple species in urban, wild and peri-urban settings, not only in domestic animal populations but at the wildlife interface. It is clear that different epidemiological scenarios can lead to the presence of CDV in wildlife even in the absence of infection in domestic populations, highlighting the role of CDV in different domestic or wild species without clinical signs of disease mainly acting as reservoirs (peridomestic and mesocarnivores) that are often found in peridomestic habits triggering CDV epidemics. Another scenario is driven by mutations, which generate genetic variation on which random drift and natural selection can act, shaping the genetic structure of CDV populations leading to some fitness compensations between hosts and driving the evolution of specialist and generalist traits in CDV populations. In this scenario, the highly variable protein hemagglutinin (H) determines the cellular and host tropism by binding to signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM) and nectin-4 receptors of the host; however, the multiple evolutionary events that may have facilitated CDV adaptation to different hosts must be evaluated by complete genome sequencing. This review is focused on the study of CDV interspecies transmission by examining molecular and epidemiological reports based on sequences of the hemagglutinin gene and the growing body of studies of the complete genome; emphasizing the importance of long-term multidisciplinary research that tracks CDV in the presence or absence of clinical signs in wild species, and helping to implement strategies to mitigate the infection. Integrated research incorporating the experience of wildlife managers, behavioral and conservation biologists, veterinarians, virologists, and immunologists (among other scientific areas) and the inclusion of several wild and domestic species is essential for understanding the intricate epidemiological dynamics of CDV in its multiple host infections.

Características da população de cães e gatos domiciliados do Brasil

The precise estimation of the domestic animal population is important for effective health planning. The objective was to verify the applicability in Brazil of the method proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO), to estimate the animal population of developing countries, comparing it with data published by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). From the questionnaire prepared by IBGE, specific questions were selected to be submitted for statistical evaluation. The results indicate a population larger than that estimated by the WHO, there is still a low vaccination coverage, and campaigns should be intensified in cats and in rural areas. Rural areas have larger numbers of cats and dogs per household, and the concentration of animals in the cities is higher in neighborhoods consisting of houses than apartments. The dog is the companion animal of choice of Brazilians.

Convergent evolution in human and domesticate adaptation to high-altitude environments.

Humans and their domestic animals have lived and thrived in high-altitude environments worldwide for thousands of years. These populations have developed a number of adaptations to survive in a hypoxic environment, and several genomic studies have been conducted to identify the genes that drive these adaptations. Here, we discuss the various adaptations and genetic variants that have been identified as adaptive in human and domestic animal populations and the ways in which convergent evolution has occurred as these populations have adapted to high-altitude environments. We found that human and domesticate populations have adapted to hypoxic environments in similar ways. Specific genes and biological pathways have been involved in high-altitude adaptation for multiple populations, although the specific variants differ between populations. Additionally, we found that the gene EPAS1 is often a target of selection in hypoxic environments and has been involved in multiple adaptive introgression events. High-altitude environments exert strong selective pressures, and human and animal populations have evolved in convergent ways to cope with a chronic lack of oxygen.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Convergent evolution in the genomics era: new insights and directions'.

A new zooarchaeological application for geometric morphometric methods: Distinguishing Ovis aries morphotypes to address connectivity and mobility of prehistoric Central Asian pastoralists

Geometric morphometric methods (GMM), which were developed to characterize the shape and size of biological organisms, have been applied within zooarchaeology over the past decade to address animal domestication processes and to refine morphological criteria to differentiate between taxa. However, there has been limited utilization of these methods to discriminate between populations of the same taxa to challenge and refine other key archaeological issues, such as migration and connectivity in prehistory. Presented here is a novel application of a three-dimensional landmark based geometric morphometric approach to address the nature of long distance trade and connectivity on the prehistoric Silk Road. The similarity of Bronze and Iron Age archaeological cultures along this steppe route has encouraged characterisations of these people as nomads, with highly mobile, integrated, and connected human and animal populations. However, the interconnectedness of domestic animal populations, in particular sheep (Ovis aries), the foundation of this prehistoric pastoral economy, has never been examined. This study utilized geometric morphometric methods to quantify geometric morphometric variance of O. aries astragali between three geographically disparate settlement sites within a single Final Bronze age cultural and chronological context. Significant differences between morphotypes revealed that protracted mobility patterns were unlikely and that while animal exchange may have occurred, it was not pervasive enough to produce a uniform sheep morphotype across central and southeastern Kazakhstan. The result of this new application of geometric morphometric methods challenges models of uniform and undifferentiated long distance mobility and economic connectivity between the peoples of the Silk Road.

Legacies of Historical Exploitation of Natural Resources Are More Important Than Summer Warming for Recent Biomass Increases in a Boreal–Arctic Transition Region

Eurasian forest cover at high northern latitudes (> 67°N) has increased in recent decades due to stimulatory effects of global warming, but other factors may be important. The objective of this study is to compare the importance of historical human exploitation and climate change. Periodic information on forest and tundra resources along with human and domestic animal populations and forest harvesting was collected from sources like official statistics and maps and compiled for joint analysis. Our results show that the northernmost birch and Scots pine forests of the world often presumed as pristine were repeatedly exploited by logging, agriculture and grazing in the last century. In addition, repeated moth outbreaks have also had regulatory impacts on birch forest development. Despite these disturbances, forested area quadrupled during the period, largely because of reduced human activities in recent decades. Linear modelling confirms that the most important predictors for the variation in Scots pine and birch biomass and area were logging, grazing and farming activity, and not climatic changes. The dynamics in the forest cover over the last century seem to follow the ‘repeated human perturbation’ scenario. This study’s application of legacy data, and historical and long-term data and evaluation of how the different drivers impacted some of the northernmost forests are essential to understand whether the greening of the boreal and arctic regions is a result of recent climate change or a recovery from earlier human impacts.

Bartonella henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae infection, hematological changes and associated factors in domestic cats and dogs from an Atlantic rain forest area, Brazil

Cats are considered main reservoir of Bartonella henselae, which is transmitted to other cats especially through Ctenocephalides felis fleas, and to humans through scratching and biting. Serra da Tiririca State Park (PESET) is an Atlantic Forest area that shelters a wide variety of endemic fauna. Recently, the park has been suffering due to irregular housing construction and domestic animal population that interacts with humans and wildlife. Given that surveillance policies for animals are part of the global Strategic Framework for One Health, the aim of this study was to detect Bartonella spp. DNA in cats and dogs, evaluating laboratory changes and associated factors. Blood samples of 124 dogs and 89 cats were collected for hematology and serum chemistry analysis. DNA was extracted and tested by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting a fragment of the citrate synthase (gltA) gene of Bartonella spp. with specific primers. Positive samples were sequenced to identify species. Bartonella henselae and B. clarridgeiae were detected in 24.7% of cats, being, for our knowledge, the first report of B. clarridgeiae in cats from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. None of the samples obtained from dogs tested positive in the PCR assays. No statistical significance was observed in physical and laboratory exams. We suggest that cats that inhabit PESET can be considered sources of Bartonella sp. for other cats and humans. We highlight that infected cats did not present clinical or laboratory alterations. We alert for the need of care measures, avoiding scratch and bite, particularly in immunocompromised people.

The sero-epidemiology of Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) across livestock species and herding contexts in Laikipia County, Kenya.

Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Query fever (Q fever), is among the most highly infectious zoonotic pathogens transmitted among livestock, with chronic effects challenging to veterinary and medical detection and care systems. Transmission among domestic livestock species can vary regionally due to herd management practices that determine which livestock species are raised, whether or not livestock are in contact with wildlife, and the susceptibility of these livestock to infection. To explore how different livestock management practices are associated with the risk of infection in multispecies environments, we carried out a comparative study of three types of herd management systems in the central Kenyan county of Laikipia: agro‐commercial, mixed conservancy/commercial, and smallholder ranches. We tested C. burnetii antibody seroprevalence in four common livestock species. Across all management types, the highest seroprevalence was in camels (20%), followed by goats (18%), sheep (13%), and cattle (6%). We observed a lower odds of testing seropositive for young compared to adult animals (adjusted OR = 0.44 [95% CI 0.24, 0.76]), and for males compared to females (adjusted OR = 0.52 [95% CI 0.33, 0.80]). Animals from mixed conservancy/commercial and smallholder operations had a higher odds of testing seropositive compared to animals from agro‐commercial ranches (adjusted OR = 5.17 [95% CI 2.71, 10.44] and adjusted OR = 2.21 [95% CI 1.17, 4.43] respectively). These data suggest that herd management practices might affect the transmission dynamics of C. burnetiiin arid African ecosystems like those seen in Kenya where several transmission modes are possible, risk of drought has promoted new livestock species such as camels, and multiple wildlife species may co‐occur with livestock on the landscape. Further longitudinal studies are needed to disentangle the mechanisms underlying these patterns, and further explore transmission patterns between wildlife, domestic animal, and human populations.

Spermatogonial Stem Cell Transplantation: Insights and Outlook for Domestic Animals.

The demand for food will increase to an unprecedented level over the next 30 years owing to human population expansion, thus necessitating an evolution that improves the efficiency of livestock production. Genetic gain to improve production traits of domestic animal populations is most effectively achieved via selective use of gametes from animals deemed to be elite, and this principle has been the basis of selective breeding strategies employed by humans for thousands of years. In modern-day animal agriculture, artificial insemination (AI) has been the staple of selective breeding programs, but it has inherent limitations for applications in beef cattle and pig production systems. In this review, we discuss the potential and current state of development for a concept termed Surrogate Sires as a next-generation breeding tool in livestock production. The scheme capitalizes on the capacity of spermatogonial stem cells to regenerate sperm production after isolation from donor testicular tissue and transfer into the testes of a recipient male that lacks endogenous germline, thereby allowing the surrogate male to produce offspring with the donor haplotype via natural mating. This concept provides an effective selective breeding tool to achieve genetic gain that is conducive for livestock production systems in which AI is difficult to implement.

Assessment of the impact on paediatric rabies at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi, following a mass canine rabies vaccination programme

Purpose: Background: Rabies is a common infection in the domestic and wild animal population of Malawi. Significant numbers of children die a terrible death each year as a consequence. Many more individuals are bitten by potentially infected dogs each month and require post exposure vaccination. However, rabies is a preventable infection against which there is a good vaccine for both animals and humans. Previous work suggests that if canine vaccine coverage can reach 70%, there will be consequent fall in human incidence. Objectives: To determine the impact of a comprehensive canine vaccine campaign on paediatric rabies cases. Methods & Materials: Retrospective case note analysis. All historic paediatric rabies cases presenting to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH), Blantyre, Malawi, between May 2012 and May 2017, have been identified and analysed. Data analysis compared paediatric rabies case numbers pre and post a comprehensive canine vaccine campaign which commenced in May 2015, in the Blantyre District. Results: In total 14 paediatric rabies cases were found during the study period. More males than females were affected (males: 10 (71%); females: 4 (29%)). The average age was seven years (range 3–11). The average length of stay in hospital was three days until death (range 1–7). Geographical locations of dog bites since data collection (May 2012) included Limbe, Lundu, Bangwe, Chileka, Mulanje, Muwalo, Nkhataumbera, Thyolo, Zomba, Mpemba and Mangochi region (four were unknown). Since May 2015 only two patients were admitted to QECH, but none of them came from Blantyre city nor district. Conclusion: This study underlines the importance of eliminating human rabies through canine rabies vaccination. Further funding of these campaigns will prevent unnecessary child deaths.

Assessment of Rabies and Canine Distemper Viruses in Road-Killed Wildlife Mammals From the Semiarid Region of Northeastern Brazil

Road mortality due to collision with vehicles can affect many species, increasing the risk of local population decline or extinction. Infectious diseases that affect the central nervous system of wild animals may also promote an increase in road mortality due to the debilitating effects of blinding, neurologic disturbance, or behavior alteration. Roads in the surroundings of three conservation units in the Caatinga of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, were surveyed to identify which mammal species are being impacted by these anthropogenic structures. In addition, collected animals that were recently killed were also examined to determine their health status for diseases that affect the central nervous system (rabies and distemper virus) which cause neurological disorders. Between November 2014 and November 2015, 124 mammals from four potential reservoir species were found road-killed in the surveyed roads. Despite reports of these viruses circulating in Northeast Brazil, in both domestic and wild animal populations, none of the 18 road-killed mammals tested were infected by rabies or canine distemper, although some of the species identified are considered reservoirs for both diseases. This suggests that the animals most likely came from healthy populations or that the prevalence of these diseases is so low that it remained undetected. Furthermore, the high number of road-kills during this 1-year period indicates that mammal species from these conservation units are being negatively impacted, regardless of their health status. Hence, further studies must be conducted to identify other factors contributing to the road-killing of these species and implement the adequate mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate road mortality in the vicinities of these three conservation units.

Exploring the effect of human and animal population growth on vector-borne disease transmission with an agent-based model of Rhodesian human African trypanosomiasis in eastern province, Zambia.

This paper presents the development of an agent-based model (ABM) to investigate Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense human African trypanosomiasis (rHAT) disease transmission. The ABM model, fitted at a fine spatial scale, was used to explore the impact of a growing host population on the spread of disease along a 75 km transect in the Luangwa Valley, Zambia. The model was used to gain a greater understanding of how increases in human and domestic animal population could impact the contact network between vector and host, the subsequent transmission patterns, and disease incidence outcomes in the region. Modelled incidence rates showed increases in rHAT transmission in both humans and cattle. The primary demographic attribution of infection switched dramatically from young children of both sexes attending school, to adult women performing activities with shorter but more frequent trips, such as water and firewood collection, with men more protected due to the presence of cattle in their routines. The interpretation of model output provides a plausible insight into both population development and disease transmission in the near future in the region and such techniques could aid well-targeted mitigation strategies in the future.

Challenges and Opportunities Developing Mathematical Models of Shared Pathogens of Domestic and Wild Animals.

Diseases that affect both wild and domestic animals can be particularly difficult to prevent, predict, mitigate, and control. Such multi-host diseases can have devastating economic impacts on domestic animal producers and can present significant challenges to wildlife populations, particularly for populations of conservation concern. Few mathematical models exist that capture the complexities of these multi-host pathogens, yet the development of such models would allow us to estimate and compare the potential effectiveness of management actions for mitigating or suppressing disease in wildlife and/or livestock host populations. We conducted a workshop in March 2014 to identify the challenges associated with developing models of pathogen transmission across the wildlife-livestock interface. The development of mathematical models of pathogen transmission at this interface is hampered by the difficulties associated with describing the host-pathogen systems, including: (1) the identity of wildlife hosts, their distributions, and movement patterns; (2) the pathogen transmission pathways between wildlife and domestic animals; (3) the effects of the disease and concomitant mitigation efforts on wild and domestic animal populations; and (4) barriers to communication between sectors. To promote the development of mathematical models of transmission at this interface, we recommend further integration of modern quantitative techniques and improvement of communication among wildlife biologists, mathematical modelers, veterinary medicine professionals, producers, and other stakeholders concerned with the consequences of pathogen transmission at this important, yet poorly understood, interface.

Population dynamics models based on the transmission mechanism of MCR-1

Antimicrobial resistance is now considered as one of the most serious global threats to human health in the 21st century. Recently, the discovery of a plasmid-borne colistin resistance gene, mcr-1, in China heralds the emergence of truly pan-drug-resistant bacteria. The gene has been found primarily in Escherichia coli but has also been identified in other members of the Enterobacteriaceae in animal, food, human, and environmental samples on every continent. Until now, the articles published have appeared to fairly use and interpret experimental studies. The aim of our work is to develop mathematic models that quantitatively describe the dynamic of the population of domestic animals and humans. We propose two ordinary differential equation models for the transmission dynamic of mcr-1 gene. The models are analyzed using stability theory of differential equations. Positive equilibrium points of the system are investigated and their stability analyses are carried out. Moreover, the numerical simulations of the proposed model are also represented Our results show that the fraction of animals used for human consumption is the most effective parameters of controlling the spread of mcr-1 gene in comparison with other parameters.

Pedigree data indicate rapid inbreeding and loss of genetic diversity within populations of native, traditional dog breeds of conservation concern.

Increasing concern is directed towards genetic diversity of domestic animal populations because strong selective breeding can rapidly deplete genetic diversity of socio-economically valuable animals. International conservation policy identifies minimizing genetic erosion of domesticated animals as a key biodiversity target. We used breeding records to assess potential indications of inbreeding and loss of founder allelic diversity in 12 native Swedish dog breeds, traditional to the country, ten of which have been identified by authorities as of conservation concern. The pedigrees dated back to the mid-1900, comprising 5–11 generations and 350–66,500 individuals per pedigree. We assessed rates of inbreeding and potential indications of loss of genetic variation by measuring inbreeding coefficients and remaining number of founder alleles at five points in time during 1980–2012. We found average inbreeding coefficients among breeds to double–from an average of 0.03 in 1980 to 0.07 in 2012 –in spite of the majority of breeds being numerically large with pedigrees comprising thousands of individuals indicating that such rapid increase of inbreeding should have been possible to avoid. We also found indications of extensive loss of intra-breed variation; on average 70 percent of founder alleles are lost during 1980–2012. Explicit conservation goals for these breeds were not reflected in pedigree based conservation genetic measures; breeding needs to focus more on retaining genetic variation, and supplementary genomic analyses of these breeds are highly warranted in order to find out the extent to which the trends indicated here are reflected over the genomes of these breeds.