We investigated the genetic variability within and between cattle breeds. The polymorphisms of 17 microsatellites were studied in 220 unrelated animals belonging to four Italian beef cattle breeds (Chianina, Marchigiana, Romagnola, and Piemontese). Variations of allelic frequencies were examined to characterize the breeds and their relationships. Wahlund coefficients, Polymorphism Information C...

Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic process that regulates gene expression in the mammalian genome. Although there are specific imprinting differences between the mammalian species, cattle present unique opportunity for characterizing imprinted genes because of its sub-species classification. Five putative imprinted genes (TSSC4, CDKN1C, KCNQ1, PHLDA2 and NAP1L4) on bovine chromosome 29 (Bta 29...

The aim of this study was to determine the variants of the thioesterase (TE) beta-ketoacyl reductase (KR) domains of the Fatty Acid Synthase (FASN) gene, in the East Anatolian Red (EAR) and South Anatolian Red (SAR) cattle breeds. It has been suggested that the FASN gene is effective on fatty acid composition of meat in cattle. In this study, the genotype and allele frequencies of g.17924 A>G, ...

Bovine tuberculosis is a major economic problem and a potential public health risk. Improved diagnostics like the gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) test with ESAT6 and/or CFP10 could contribute to the control program. We assessed IFN-gamma responses in zebu (Ethiopian Arsi breed) and Holstein cattle kept indoors or in a pasture to tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) and an ESAT6-CFP10 prote...

Preservation of rare genetic stocks requires assessment of within-population genetic diversity and between-population differentiation to make inferences on their degree of uniqueness. A total of 194 Tuscan cattle (44 Calvana, 35 Chianina, 25 Garfagnina, 31 Maremmana, 31 Mucca Pisana and 28 Pontremolese) individuals were genotyped for 34 microsatellite markers. Moreover, 56 samples belonging to ...

The use of polymorphic markers in breeding programmes could make selection more accurate and efficient. A total of 324 individuals from six Iranian cattle populations (Sarabi, Golpayegani, Sistani, Taleshi, Mazandarani, Dashtiyari), F1 Golpayegani × Brown Swiss and Iranian buffalo populations were genotypedfor the Pit-1 HinfI and leptin Sau3AI polymorphisms by the polymerase chain reactio...

The Eastern European Grey cattle are regarded as the direct descendants of the aurochs (Bos taurus primigenius). Nowadays in Romania, less than 100 Grey animals are being reared and included in the national gene reserve. We examined the genetic diversity among Romanian Grey, Brown, Spotted and Black and White cattle breeds, with a particular focus on Romanian Grey through the use of (i) 11 bovi...

SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis is a tool widely used to help in decision making in complex systems. It suits to exploring the issues and measures related to the conservation and development of local breeds, as it allows the integration of many driving factors influencing breed dynamics. We developed a quantified SWOT method as a decision-making tool for identif...

Genetic structure and diversity of 13 Portuguese native and 3 imported cattle breeds were assessed with 39 microsatellites. Allelic richness per locus was high, with an overall average of 8.3 +/- 2.5. The mean observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.673 +/- 0.043 and 0.691 +/- 0.034, respectively. The mean number of alleles per breed ranged between 5.36 +/- 1.27 and 7.87 +/- 2.66. Brava d...

The genetic diversity found in domestic breeds allows farmers to develop new characteristics in response to changes in the environment, the appearance of diseases, or of modifications in market conditions. Indigenous breeds often possess gene combinations and special adaptations (such as disease resistance, adaptation to harsh conditions or poor-quality feeds) not found in other breeds. Five Ro...