Uncontrolled Crossbreeding Research Articles

The Status of Indigenous Chicken Genetic Resources: An Analysis of Farmers’ Perspectives and Implications for Breed Conservation Priorities in Zambia

(1) Background: Indigenous chickens (Gallus domesticus) (ICs) are an essential component of agriculture and rural livelihood among 80% of small-scale farmers (SSFs) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, in the past decade, significant losses of Indigenous Chicken Animal Genetic Resources (IC-AnGR) resulting from poultry diseases, imported exotic breeds, poor market access, and uncontrolled crossbreeding have been reported. This study aimed to investigate the status of IC-AnGR and assess the major challenges affecting the production of ICs. (2) Methods: We surveyed 358 households in eastern, central, and southern livelihood zones, comprising 81.6% males and 17.6% females. (3) Results: Our study shows that respondents owned 16,112 ICs, 3026 goats, and 5183 herds of cattle. Overall, 77.4% of chicken breeds were ICs and 22.6% were exotic. Across the three zones, 18–44% reported the introduction or adoption of exotic breeds in the past decade, with most households sourcing breeding stock from local communities and family and friends at 45% and 28.6%, respectively. Farmers gave various reasons for adopting new chicken breeds, including fast growth (21.7%), larger mature sizes (21.66%), and resistance to diseases at 15.2%. Overall, 92.5% of farmers agreed or strongly agreed that some IC breeds disappeared in the past decade and nearly 90% were concerned. Some attributed the loss to poultry diseases. (4) Conclusion: Deliberate policies to promote the sustainable use and conservation of ICs are critical in Zambia.

10 What Role Could Old/Heritage Genetics Play in Climate adaptation?

Abstract Creole or Criollo breeds descend directly from cattle introduced by the Spanish and Portuguese conquerors in the XVth century, being the only cattle breeds in the Americas that have endured 500 years of natural selection to local conditions. Their genetic background includes Iberian and African taurine breeds. This ancestry combined with local adaptations to a very wide variety of environments throughout all the continent created the wide spectrum of American Criollo breeds that we see today, from USA to the Patagonian region. Criollo cattle was the basis of colonial times livestock industry until they were displaced by more specialized European and cebuine type cattle breeds at the end of the 19th century. Efforts by local producers and research institutions helped to preserve Criollo populations and to avoid their extinction. Most of Criollo animals were relegated to marginal regions unsuitable for commercial breeds, which reinforced their ability to adapt to unfavorable environments. Their adaptation to different environments allowed the expression of high levels of genetic variability, being a source of hidden alleles of potential use in animal production and thus very important to study and preserve. The analysis of nuclear and cytoplasmic markers, such as SNP, microsatellites and mitochondrial DNA, has allowed estimations of genetic diversity, admixture events with other breeds, and the elucidation of genetic relationships within Criollo breeds and with European and African breeds. Criollo breeds differ considerably from each other, and most have their own identity or group with others from neighboring regions. These results indicate that Criollo breeds represent important reservoirs of cattle genetic diversity and that appropriate conservation measures should be implemented for these heritage breeds to minimize inbreeding and uncontrolled crossbreeding. Several studies have demonstrated that these animals can produce high quality meat, are more resistant to diseases and heat stress, and emphasize their high fertility, calving ease, longevity and ability to adapt to harsh environments, including arid regions. More studies are needed to elucidate the genetic basis of these traits. Properly managed, Criollo cattle “old genetics” can certainly be part of the solution to modern livestock production problems.

In vivo Fertility Assessment of Frozen Thawed Pantja Buck Semen

Background: Pantja is a medium sized, dual purpose Tarai goat breed of Uttarakhand and adjacent area of Uttar Pradesh. Due to the lack of pure breeding buck and uncontrolled cross breeding, population of this breed is reducing continuously. Therefore, for preservation and dissemination of this pure breed, cryopreservation of semen and artificial insemination by using frozen thawed semen can play a crucial role. Methods: Semen samples were collected from four sexually matured Pantja bucks and after preliminary evaluation extended in tris egg yolk based extender. Post thaw semen was examined for microscopical and certain biochemical evaluation. A total 12 does were inseminated and pregnancy diagnosis was conducted at 45 days onwards by ultrasonography. Result: Post thaw seminal attributes were significantly (P£0.01) reduced in comparision to freshly diluted semen. Total six does (50.00%) were pregnant and five (83.33%) of them gave birth to healthy kids. Among these five, three does (60.00%) gave birth to single and two does (40.00%) gave birth to twins.

A Community-Based Breeding Program as a Genetic Resource Management Strategy of Indonesian Ongole Cattle

It is essential to manage genetic resources, especially in local livestock breeds, to establish an equilibrium among livestock, humans, and the environment for sustainable development in conservation. Genetic resource management is necessary to overcome challenges to increasing productivity while ensuring environmental sustainability and climate resilience. Attempts to overcome these challenges have led to the threat of genetic erosion through uncontrolled crossbreeding, particularly threatening the hybrid vigor of indigenous breeds, such as Indonesian Ongole cattle. Considering community-based breeding as a viable management strategy for systematic livestock breeding, this study aimed to design a community-based breeding program for Indonesian Ongole cattle. The profile of socio-ecological community and genetic resources were studied using a purposive random sampling technique within an effective population size as a case study; both the respondents and the objects of the study were investigated. The study revealed that indigenous knowledge and livelihood-supported institutions are crucial to genetic resource management practices in cattle breeding. These factors are shown to be strategic priorities when designing community-based breeding programs. This approach to design empowers local cooperatives to operate a community-based breeding program for Indonesian Ongole cattle by standardizing an integrated system for selecting incentive initiatives using big data.

The functional traits and threats to the Borgou cattle breed as perceived by farmers in Benin

Benin has been facing the loss of its animal genetic heritage over the years. The aim of this study was to explore the reasons related to the progressive abandonment of the Borgou cattle breed. The assessment of threat level and functional traits related to the Borgou breed was therefore collected through semi-structured interviews from 105 cattle farmers using the Likert scale (1 to 5), and the scores recorded were compared within each group of farmers using the Kruskal–Wallis and the Mann–Whitney U tests. The results showed that depending on the types of farmers surveyed, the Borgou breed is much more threatened by the Zebu Goudali (p > 0.05), Yakana (p > 0.05) and Azawak (p < 0.05) with their medians ranging from 3.5 to 5. The lack of good breeding bulls and uncontrolled cross-breeding were considered to be the socio-environmental factors having more influence on the conservation of the Borgou breed (medians ranging from 3 to 4) according to the types of farmers (p > 0.05). Farmers appreciated its qualities such as adaptability, resistance to diseases, fertility, manure production, conformation, aptitude for draught and valorization of food resources (median: 3 to 5). However, scores recorded (medians 2 to 3) for the growth (p > 0.05), milk production (p > 0.05) and selling price (p < 0.01) of Borgou cattle indicated that these traits were unsatisfactory for farmers and reveal that the Borgou breed is mainly discarded in view of its low capacity to swiftly produce meat and its low milk productivity. This leads farmers to resort to cross-breeding through the use of other more productive breeds. This study will therefore allow to take into account farmers’ perceptions in the development of programmes and sustainable in situ conservation strategies of the Borgou cattle breed in Benin.

A survey of dairy-goat keeping in Zanzibar

Dairy goats with improved genetics for milk production were recently introduced onto small-scale farms in Zanzibar through governmental and non-governmental projects. These projects were meant to support small-scale farmers by improving both income and household nutrition through milk production. No follow up had been conducted to understand what effects dairy goat keeping had on these small-scale farms, or how they could be improved. A survey of 193 dairy goat farmers in Zanzibar was conducted, including 30% and 60% of all dairy goat farmers on Unguja and Pemba, the two largest islands, respectively. The objective was to understand the impact keeping dairy goats has on small-scale farming systems, current husbandry practices including feed supply (production and environmental concerns), perceived benefits and challenges of dairy goat keeping (economics), and how to design appropriate extension programs to increase sustainability (education). The survey with 116 questions explored topics including dairy goat feeding practices, goat health, current milk production practices, sale and family consumption, and education. Qualitative and quantitative information from the survey led to a more holistic understanding of dairy goats in the farm system. The survey established the key challenges limiting dairy goat production to be diseases (57% of respondents), feed shortage during dry season (49%), economic constraints (21%), lack of healthcare (18%), and lack of dairy goat husbandry information which would help farmers address the other challenges listed above (14%). Two challenges identified through later workshops were uncontrolled crossbreeding and lack of records. Key benefits of dairy goat keeping are increased income from selling live animals and milk (35%), manure (33%), milk (18%), and improved household nutrition (15%). Twelve percent of respondents reported no benefit from keeping dairy goats. Average milk production for dairy goats was 0.92 L per day for three months of the year, whereas local meat goats milk production peaks at about 0.3 L per day, only enough milk to feed their young. To make dairy goat keeping worthwhile, small-scale farmers need access to appropriate animal health care, milk markets, and additional dairy goat husbandrytraining. The findings of this survey will guide design of education and improvements to the overall profitability and sustainability of dairy goat integration in Zanzibar and provide a model for the humid tropics. Key words: dairy goat, tropical husbandry, small-scale farming systems, sustainability, agroecology

Sustainable wool insulation textile products - an opportunity for entrepreneurial initiatives in Romania

The wool processing sector in Romania experienced a regression in terms of fiber quality after 1989, caused by a combination of factors: uncontrolled crossbreeding, low area and low quality pastures and lack of support for sheep breeders. As a result, the spin ability limit of the Romanian wool has decreased, as well as the possibility of using it in the textile industry, in the conditions of increasing demand for fine fabrics and knitwear, leading to the closure of many traditional textile companies and the use of imported wool. Under these circumstances, the use of the Romanian wool for related fields such as construction is much more important, as an efficient and viable alternative for recovery and an alternative for revitalization of several economic sectors. The paper presents aspects regarding the textile valorization of the thick Romanian wool varieties in order to produce materials with the role of insulation and sealing, in the field of eco-friendly constructions.

Genetic Improvement Strategy of Indigenous Cattle Breeds: Effect of Cattle Crossbreeding Program in Production Performances

The aim of the review is to summarize the fragmented production performance information on the effects of cattle crossbreeding in different parts of the globe. Most studies indicated that cattle crossbreeding practices conducted under extensive management system for small scale dairy farms is attractive because the optimum requirement (50-62.5%) of exotic cattle blood level inheritance was maintained. However, most developing countries do not use systematic crossbreeding programme. For example, dairy cattle crossbreeding programme in Ethiopia lacks clear breeding policy regarding the breed type to be used and the level of exotic blood inheritance across different agro-ecology and production system. Heterosis is an essential advantage of crossbreeding and maximum heterosis is realized in the first cross (F1) of distinctly different breeds. The purpose of crossbreeding in beef cattle is partly to combine breed differences and partly to make use of heterosis to improve production. Heterosis is highest in F1 generation compared to F2, F3 and F4 crossbred generations. Therefore, terminal crossbreeding is very important in livestock production particularly in beef production. Holstein Friesian dairy cattle produce 40-60% lowered milk yield under tropical and subtropical conditions compared to temperate conditions, and this is due to the exposure of the animals to the different stress factors in the tropical and subtropical conditions. The review also revealed that crossbreeding programme has significant effect in birth weight because all F1 crossbred calves have highest birth weight compared to the purebred calves of Zebu, Sanga and Zenga breeds. Heterosis in a sound crossbreeding program could increase productivity in the beef cow herd by as much as 26% over a comparable straight breeding program. In general, crossbreeding in tropical countries is undertaken to combine superior hardiness, heat tolerance, disease tolerance and/or resistance and environmental adaptability of indigenous cattle with superior milk yield and faster growth rates of exotic temperate breeds. Crossbreeding is one tool to minimize the negative impacts of inbreeding depression in livestock sector. Through crossbreeding there is a chance to have highly productive and adapted breeds. Crossbreeding also affects milk fat and protein compositions of purebred cattle. However, if crossbreeding is indiscriminate and uncontrolled, it may result in poor production performance. Furthermore, a number of studies indicated that indiscriminate and uncontrolled crossbreeding is a major threat to sustainable conservation and utilization of indigenous cattle breeds. Therefore, crossbreeding must be introduced in controlled farms.

Development of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers for the identification of Cholistani cattle.

The identification issue of livestock can be resolved by using molecular identification tools that are acceptable to preserve and maintain pure breeds worldwide. The application of a molecular identification methodology is more important for developing nations, e.g., Pakistan, where uncontrolled crossbreeding has become a common practice and the import of exotic animals and germplasm is ever increasing. This presents a risk to local breeds as also stated by the FAO. Therefore, the current study was designed to develop standard molecular markers for Cholistani cattle to ascertain their purity for breeding purpose. In this study 50 and 48 unrelated males were sampled for Cholistani and each crossbred cattle, respectively. Candidate molecular markers present in Cholistani but absent in crossbred cattle and vice versa were detected using the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) method. Eleven markers were developed and were converted to single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for genotyping. The allele frequencies in both breeds were determined for discrimination ability using polymerase-chain-reaction–restriction-fragment-polymorphism (PCR-AFLP). The probability of identifying the Cholistani breed was 0.905 and the probability of misjudgment was 0.073 using a panel of markers. The identified markers can ascertain the breed purity and are likely to extend the facility for breed purity testing before entering into a genetic improvement program in the country.

Milk to Mandalay: dairy consumption, animal history and the political geography of colonial Burma

British imperial writers in Burma regularly moaned about milk. They complained about the difficulties they faced acquiring it in the colony. They were selfconscious about how their consumption of it might be viewed by the Burmese population, who predominantly did not drink cow's milk. And they worried about the quality of the supply provided by itinerant Indian dairymen, who they viewed as being neglectful and insanitary. Through these concerns the absence of milk became a marker of the colony's difference from the rest of the Raj. At the same time, the colonial government came to recognise the importance of locally-bred working cattle for Burmese agriculture. In their attempts to protect these valuable nonhuman labourers, Indian dairy herds were represented as a problem breed that threatened the indigenous stock. The threat from foreign cattle coalesced around epizootic disease and uncontrolled crossbreeding. These concerns were coterminous with official and nationalist anxieties about the Indian human population in the colony. Building on recent scholarship uncovering more-than-human geographies, this article reveals how colonial policies designed to improve the dairy industry and protect Burmese cattle contributed to the material and imaginative territorialisation of Burma, and its eventual separation from British India.

African Indigenous Cattle: Unique Genetic Resources in a Rapidly Changing World.

At least 150 indigenous African cattle breeds have been named, but the majority of African cattle populations remain largely uncharacterized. As cattle breeds and populations in Africa adapted to various local environmental conditions, they acquired unique features. We know now that the history of African cattle was particularly complex and while several of its episodes remain debated, there is no doubt that African cattle population evolved dramatically over time. Today, we find a mosaic of genetically diverse population from the purest Bos taurus to the nearly pure Bos indicus. African cattle are now found all across the continent, with the exception of the Sahara and the river Congo basin. They are found on the rift valley highlands as well as below sea level in the Afar depression. These unique livestock genetic resources are in danger to disappear rapidly following uncontrolled crossbreeding and breed replacements with exotic breeds. Breeding improvement programs of African indigenous livestock remain too few while paradoxically the demand of livestock products is continually increasing. Many African indigenous breeds are endangered now, and their unique adaptive traits may be lost forever. This paper reviews the unique known characteristics of indigenous African cattle populations while describing the opportunities, the necessity and urgency to understand and utilize these resources to respond to the needs of the people of the continent and to the benefit of African farmers.

Polymorphism leu/val of Growth Hormone Gene Identified from Limousin Cross Local Cattle in Indonesia

This study attempted to identify Leu/Val polymorphism of growth hormone gene in Limousin cross local cattle. The DNA samples were collected from Madura cattle (65), Limousin-Madura cattle (81), Ongole Crossbred cattle (PO, 52), and Limousin-PO cattle (56), also Limousin bull semen (6). A 211 bp DNA fragment of growth hormone gene spanning from the forth intron (49 bp) to five exon (162 bp) was amplified using PCR method and digested with AluI restriction enzyme to identified polymorphism at this locus. Two genotypes LL and LV were observed in PO (96.15%LL, 3.85%LV), Limousin-Madura (81.46%LL, 18.52%LV), Limousin-PO cattle (78.57%LL, 21.43%LV), and Limousin (66.67%LL, 33.33%LV). Madura cattles were found monomorphic for this locus producing only one genotype LL (100%). The results of this research show that the increasing number of genotype leu/val in Limousin cross local cattle is about 17.58% and 18.52% for Limousin-PO cattle and Limousin-Madura, respectively, compared to the local cattle (PO and Madura cattle). The allelic frequencies are statistically similar as revealed by Chi-Square test. This research concludes that the polymorphic leu/val of growth hormone gene occurs in Limousine-cross local cattle whereas monomorphic leu/leu of growth hormone gene is found in Madura cattle. Thus, the finding of this research would be useful as a control for genetic equilibrium in Madura cattle population and to protect uncontrolled crossbreeding.

Genetic characterization of Latin‐American Creole cattle using microsatellite markers

Genetic diversity in and relationships among 26 Creole cattle breeds from 10 American countries were assessed using 19 microsatellites. Heterozygosities, F-statistics estimates, genetic distances, multivariate analyses and assignment tests were performed. The levels of within-breed diversity detected in Creole cattle were considerable and higher than those previously reported for European breeds, but similar to those found in other Latin American breeds. Differences among breeds accounted for 8.4% of the total genetic variability. Most breeds clustered separately when the number of pre-defined populations was 21 (the most probable K value), with the exception of some closely related breeds that shared the same cluster and others that were admixed. Despite the high genetic diversity detected, significant inbreeding was also observed within some breeds, and heterozygote excess was detected in others. These results indicate that Creoles represent important reservoirs of cattle genetic diversity and that appropriate conservation measures should be implemented for these native breeds in order to minimize inbreeding and uncontrolled crossbreeding.

The need to conserve farm animal genetic resources in Africa: should policy makers be concerned?

This paper outlines key factors contributing to the erosion of animal genetic resources and discusses strategic options for policy makers. The ratification of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1993 represents an international consensus to conserve biodiversity including that of farm animal genetic resources (FAnGR). In Africa, conservation of agricultural biodiversity is inbuilt into the low input–low output production strategies of smallholder farming systems. These systems are often associated with poverty in rural areas and numerous development projects have thus sought to alleviate such poverty by promoting crossbreeding or modern reproductive technologies. However, uncontrolled crossbreeding has been and remains a threat to the conservation of local farm animal populations. Objectives for the conservation of a local farm animal population and opportunities to utilise its diversity to meet present and future market demands, to serve as an insurance against environmental changes such as changes in production, socio-economic, and cultural conditions can be identified for research and development. To improve food security and to alleviate poverty through the conservation of FAnGR in Africa, utilisation of local farm animal populations depends on the ability of communities to decide on and implement appropriate breeding strategies. It is for this reason that enabling policies are required.

The Need to Conserve Farm Animal Genetic Resources Through Community-Based Management in Africa: Should Policy Makers be Concerned?

This paper outlines some key factors contributing to the erosion of animal genetic resources and discusses strategic options for livestock sector policy makers to counter such erosion in their respective countries. The ratification of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1993 represents an international consensus to conserve biodiversity including that of farm animal and plant genetic resources, which are prerequisites for food security and the improvement of agricultural productivity. In Africa, conservation of agricultural biodiversity is inbuilt into the low input - low output production strategies of smallholder farming systems. These systems are often associated with poverty in rural areas and numerous development projects have thus sought to alleviate such poverty by promoting and subsidising crossbreeding or modern reproductive technologies. However, uncontrolled crossbreeding has been and remains a serious threat to the conservation of local farm animal populations. The primary policy goal for conservation of biodiversity should focus on the diversity between and within indigenous populations of farm animals. This includes, for example, the close monitoring of crossbreeding activities with exotic breeds. The genetic and phenotypic characterisation of local breeds is a prerequisite for this purpose. Economic valuation of biodiversity in general, of breeds within given production systems and an analysis of the social welfare implications of farm animal genetic resources (FAnGR) diversity conservation although relatively complex to carry out are also important for informed policy making. Despite the difficulties involved, objectives for the conservation of a local farm animal population and opportunities to utilise its diversity to meet present and future market demands, to serve as an insurance against environmental changes such as changes in production, socio-economic, historic and cultural conditions can be identified for research and development. To improve food security through the conservation of animal genetic resources in Africa, utilisation of local farm animal genetic resources depends on the ability of communities to decide on and implement appropriate breeding strategies. This cannot be realised without enabling policies. It is for this reason policy makers need to be concerned and should take action now.