Society for Conservation of Domestic Animal...

Volume 6 No.2 July-December 2016 ISSN : 0973-1865

Society for Conservation ofDomestic Animal Biodiversity

PRESIDENT

Dr Arjava Sharma, NBAGR, Karnal

VICE PRESIDENTS

Dr MS Tantia, NBAGR, Karnal

Dr P Kumarasamy, TANUVAS, Chennai

Dr GC Gahlot, RAJUVAS, Bikaner

Dr RS Gandhi, ICAR, New Delhi

SECRETARY

Dr PK Singh, NBAGR, Karnal

JOINT SECRETARIES

Dr N K Verma , NBAGR, Karnal

Dr DV Singh, GBPUA&T, Pantnagar

TREASURER

Dr Vikas Vohra, NBAGR, Karnal

MEMBERS

Dr KN Raja, NBAGR, Karnal

Dr RK Pundir, NBAGR, Karnal

Dr RAK Aggarwal, NBAGR, Karnal

Dr SK Niranjan, NBAGR, Karnal

Dr K P Ramesha, NDRI, SRS, Bangalore

Dr SK Singh, CIRG, Makhdoom

Dr Simarjeet Kaur, GADVASU, Ludhiana

Dr Umesh Singh, CIRC, Meerut

Dr Aruna Pal,WBUAFS, Kolkata

Dr D Balasubramanyam, TANUVAS, Chennai

An of�icial publication of the Society for Conservation of Domestic Animal Biodiversity

Chief Editor

Dr B Prakash

ICAR-CIRC, Meerut

Executive Editor

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ICAR-NBAGR, Karnal

Editor

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ICAR-NBAGR, Karnal

Advisory Board

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Dr Sosamma IypeVechur Conservation Trust, Mannuthy, Thrissur

Dr GS BrahDirector, School of Animal Biotechnology, GADVASU, Ludhiana

Dr BP Mishra Joint Director Research, ICAR-IVRI, Izatnagar

Dr DK Sadana ILSI Centre, Model Town, Karnal

Dr CV Singh Professor (AG&B), GBPUA&T, Pantnagar

Dr SM Deb Director, ICAR- NRC on Yak, Dirang

Dr BK Joshi Ex-Director, ICAR-NBAGR, Karnal

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JOURNAL OF LIVESTOCK BIODIVERSITY VOLUME 6, NUMBER 2, 2016

Prediction of 305 days lactation milk yield from fortnightly test milk yields in hill

cattle under �ield conditions

R K Pundir

Evaluation of sires using different sire evaluation methods in Sahiwal cattle

Abbas Sikandar, C V Singh and R S Barwal

Characterization and Evaluation of Tibetan Sheep: a key source of livelihood in

alpine ecosystem of Sikkim Himalaya

Brijesh Kumar, RK Avasthe, R Islam, Passang Bhutia, AK Mishra and MS Tantia

Evaluation of draughtability in Hool buffalo of Birbhum (West Bengal)

Aruna Pal, Paresh Nath Chatterjee, Purnendu Biswas, Amit Soren, Vikas Vohra and

Arjava Sharma

Effect of ginger (Zingiber of�icinale) and cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)on

physiological and heamto-biochemical parameters of broiler

Sonali Shinde, RG Burte, Shalu Kumar, BG Desai, N N Prasade, JS Dhekale and DJ Bhagat

Morpho-metric measurement and management of Beetal goats in Ambala District

of Haryana

Maroof Ahmad and PK Singh

Morphological and morphometric features of Non-descript cattle in Raigad district

of Maharashtra

MG Thalkar, DJ Bhagat, Shalu Kumar, RG Burte, BG Desai, A J Mayekar and N N Prasade

G-banding homologies of a tandem fusion in Paralakhemundi (Swamp) and

Crossbred (Murrah x Swamp) buffalo chromosome

PK Mallick and AK Ghosh

Ef�iciency of different sire evaluation methods for �irst lactation traits in Sahiwal

cattle

Jaswant Singh and CV Singh

Genetic polymorphisms within coding region of insulin like growth factor-1 gene in

six indigenous draught cattle

A Gogoi, SMK Karthickeyan and P Chabukdhara

A new methodology for characterization of dog genetic resources of India

Raja KN, PK Singh, AK Mishra, I Ganguly and P Devendran

Corrigendum

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Prediction of 305 days lactation milk yield from fortnightly test milk yieldsin hill cattle under �ield conditions

R K Pundir*ICAR- National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal-132001 (Haryana) India

ABSTRACT

The present investigation was undertaken to predict 305 days lactation milk yield from fortnightly test day milk yields

using regression and principal component analysis approaches. Accuracy of different methods i.e. simple and multiple

regression and principal component analysis using simple and cumulative fortnightly test milk yields was accessed by

predicted value, standard error of predicted value, adjusted predicted value, studentized residual, deleted residual,

studentized deleted residual, mahaboliny distance, cook's distance and centred leverage values. Test day milk yield were

recorded on 688 cows during September, 2009 to June 2010 from 27 villages of Ukhimath block (Kedarnath valley),

Rudarpryag district, Uttarakhand, India. Test day milk yields were recorded by fortnightly after 5- 10 days of calving. Daily

milk yield (Test day) were computed as sum of morning and evening milk yield on test day. A total of 200 cows completed

20 test day recordings under the study. The 305 days lactation milk yield was estimated from the selected data set (200

cows) those had completed 20 test day yields records using Test Interval Method. Prediction equations were developed

considering 305 days lactation milk yield as dependent variable and �irst 12 fortnightly test day yields as independent

variables. All the analysis was carried out by SPSS and SAS programs. It was concluded that for prediction of 305 days

lactation milk yield, principal components analysis method using fortnightly test day milk yields was best.

Keywords: Cattle, Lactation milk yield, Test day milk yield, Multiple Regression, Principal Component Analysis

*Corresponding author: [email protected]

INTRODUCTION

In dairy cattle improvement programs, selection has been focused on lactation milk yield (Haile, 2006). Prediction of 305 days lactation milk yield from the test day yields with an appropriate accuracy helps in selection of animals at an early stage of life which increase the genetic gain through decreasing the generation interval and cost of recording. Similar studies conducted in cattle and buffaloes (Das and Sadana 1995; Saini et al. 2005) revealed high correlation between test day milk yields and 300 days lactation milk yield suggesting that test day milk yield can be used in prediction of lactation milk yield. The present investigation was undertaken to formulate principal component scores or synthetic variables and to predict lactation milk yield on the basis of these scores and to compare the ef�iciency of this criteria using early test milk yields with simple and multiple regression analysis in hill cattle of Uttarakhand.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Test day milk yields were recorded from September, 2009 to June 2010 from 27 villages of Ukhimath block (Kedarnath valley), Rudarpryag district, Uttarakhand on 688 cows by 5 enumerators. Test day milk yields were recorded by fortnightly after 5 to 10 days of calving. Daily milk yield (Test day) were computed as sum of morning and evening milk yield on test day. A total of 200 cows completed 20 test day recordings during the study. The

305 days lactation milk yield was estimated from the selected data set (200 cows) those had completed 20 test day yields records using Test Interval Method (ICAR, 2003). Descriptive statistics in terms of fortnightly test day milk yield mean with number of observations, minimum, maximum and standards error and estimated lactation milk yield are presented in Table 1. Prediction equations were developed considering 305 days lactation milk yield as dependent variable and �irst 12 fortnightly test day yields as independent variable using simple and multiple regression and principal component analysis. All the 12 test day milk yields were used in principal component analysis to develop synthetic variables. The resulting eigen values and the percentage of variance ex p la i n e d by e a c h p r i n c i p a l c o m p o n e n t we re subsequently used to decide those components to be used in regression analysis. Principal component with eigen value more than one were considered signi�icant and used for prediction of 305 days lactation milk yield. The accuracy of prediction was determine by the coef�icient of

2 determination (R ) values, standard error of predictive value, adjusted predictive value, deleted residual, studentised deleted residual and Mahalabony distances. The 305 days lactation milk yield of remaining cows was predicted by best developed prediction equations under the study as these cows did not complete all 20 test recordings. All the analysis was carried out by SPSS (2007) and SAS (2002).

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Volume 6 Number 2, 2016

Fortnightly No. of obs. Mean Minimum Maximum 305 days milk yield*

milk yield available

T1 688 2.415 0.680 6.50

T2 688 2.553 0.900 6.90 62.90

T3 688 2.575 0.900 6.80 101.15

T4 688 2.537 0.900 6.90 137.67

T5 686 2.342 0.700 6.10 172.24

T6 684 2.276 0.700 5.90 205.99

T7 680 2.235 0.650 5.90 238.84

T8 666 2.159 0.630 4.10 271.01

T9 636 2.145 0.600 4.03 302.66

T10 619 2.086 0.500 3.80 333.56

T11 577 2.043 0.450 3.40 364.08

T12 545 2.026 0.450 3.00 393.85

T13 506 1.951 0.430 0.25 422.57

T14 480 1.887 0.300 2.00 450.24

T15 438 1.811 0.300 2.00 477.24

T16 377 1.793 0.300 1.90 503.79

T17 347 1.756 0.250 1.90 529.81

T18 320 1.723 0.300 1.90 555.23

T19 295 1.675 0.250 1.60 579.83

T20 200 1.615 0.240 1.70 603.98

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Hill cows of Uttarakhand

Cows were small in size with cylindrical type of body. Animals were well built and compact with strong legs. Black body colour predominates in the area. Skin was tight and eyes lids were black. The colours of hoof and muzzle were black in most of the cases. Dewlap and hump were small. Head was small and poll prominent. Horns were present. The colour of horn was black and length was small. Face was short and concave. Ears were small to moderate in length and horizontal in orientation. Neck was short in length and thin. Udder was small, touching to the body, not well developed and milk veins were not prominent. Tail was up to the hock with black, brown and white switch. Temperament was docile. Milk productivity of hill cows is low and daily milk yields ranged from 2.0 to 3.0 kg only. Cows were reared on extensive system of management i.e. grazing from morning to evening with some amount of feeds at home in the evening (Pundir et al. 2013).

Descriptive statistics

Descriptive statistics of different test day milk yield are thgiven in Table 1. On the 20 fortnight there were only 200

cows available. The average test day milk yield ranged

th stfrom 0.400 kg (20 fortnight) to 6.90 kg (I fortnight). The average test day milk yield was maximum as 1.579±0.391 kg on the second fortnight. The minimum average test

thmilk yield was observed on last 20 fortnight as 0.632±0.018 kg. The 305 days lactation milk yield was estimated 603.98 kg using Test Interval Method (ICAR, 2003). The 305 days lactation milk yield was estimated from the test day milk yield which was the sum of AM and P M m i l k y i e l d t o a v o i d o v e r e s t i m a t i o n a n d underestimation when it was based on morning or evening milk yield as reported by Schaeffer and Rennie (1976). Gantner et al. (2009) also reported maximum accuracy for prediction of lactation milk yield from test day milk yield using both morning and evening test milk yield in place of any one of them. They also concluded that usages of simply doubling method gives overestimation and underestimation of daily yields when estimating based on morning or evening records, respectively.

Phenotypic correlations

The phenotypic correlations between 305 days lactation milk yield and different test day milk yields (T1 to T12) were signi�icant, positive and ranged from 0.681 (T12) to 0.938 (T5). The estimates of phenotypic correlations between 305 days lactation milk yield with T4, T5 and T6 was almost similar (0.936 to 0.938). The

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Table 1. Average fortnightly daily milk yield (kg) and estimated milk yield at different fortnight

*Test interval method

amount of phenotypic correlation of 305 days lactation milk yield was declined after T5 to T12 records. Positive phenotypic correlations between 305 days lactation milk yield and different test day milk yields were obtained by Hatisa et al. (2007) in Sahiwal cattle and Chakaraborty et al. (2010) in Murrah buffaloes. The phenotypic correlations between 305 days lactation milk yield and cumulative fortnightly milk yield (�irst 2 to all 12) were in increasing order from 0.924 (�irst 2) to 0.982 (all 12). The increment in the amount of correlation between 305 days lactation milk yield and �irst 3 to �irst 4 and �irst 4 to �irst 5 cumulative test day milk yields was maximum as 0.009 and after �irst 5 it has showed declining trends. The high correlation coef�icient between 305 days lactation milk yield and a particular test day milk yield indicated the high prediction accuracy.

Prediction of 305 days lactation milk yield from single independent variable

The constant, regression coef�icient, F value and accuracy 2(R ) for the estimation of 305 days lactation milk yield

from different fortnightly test milk yield are given in Table 2. All the prediction equations had signi�icant F values. The regression coef�icients of 305 days lactation milk yield on different test day milk yields (from T1 to T12) showed increasing trends from 123.732±3.821 to 264.80±20.214, respectively based on single independent variable. The

2accuracy of prediction (R ) was maximum with T5 as 0.880 and thereafter it was declined as the record of test day milk yield increased.

The prediction accuracy with T4 and T5 was almost similar (0.875). Deb and Gurnani (1994) reported similar

2estimates of R for T5 and T6 records. The accuracy of different prediction equations was higher than the reports of Gokhale and Nagarcenkar (1979) and Singh and Rana

2(2008). The low R values were observed at the terminal phase of test day milk yields (T10, T11 and T12). It indicated that the terminal part of lactation explained least of the total variance of the lactation milk yield as compared to rest of the test day milk yield. This could be d u e t o t h e h i g h e r c o m p o n e n t s o f t e m p o ra r y

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Fortnightly milk yield R square F value Constant±SE Coefficient±SE

Single independent trait

T1 .841 1048 177.333±8.817 123.732±3.821

T2 .844 1070 168.553±8.967 129.224±3.950

T3 .814 865.383 159.812±10.195 136.244±4.631

T4 .875 1390.332 147.582±8.397 150.607±4.039

T5 .880 1446.516 124.309±8.787 173.043±4.550

T6 .876 1392.510 118.045±9.104 185.869±4.981

T7 .860 1212.578 120.311±9.682 189.779±5.450

T8 .781 706.007 112.514±12.858 210.880±7.937

T9 .719 505.920 93.533±15.882 231.013±10.271

T10 .657 379.029 101.169±17.880 245.00±12.584

T11 .582 275.420 102.288±20.763 259.437±15.633

T12 .464 171.606 107.595±25.621 264.80±20.214

Cumulative test day milk yields

First2 .854 1156.48 169.61±8.60 64.06±1.88

First3 .862 1233.83 160.06±8.50 44.64±1.27

First4 .878 1420.22 153.21±8.17 34.94±0.93

First5 .894 1672.88 143.21±7.76 29.61±0.72

First6 .907 1934.52 134.74±7.46 25.98±0.59

First7 .916 2170.81 128.11±7.12 23.24±0.49

First8 .932 2711.40 116.92±6.58 21.60±0.41

First9 .943 3282.94 104.87±6.12 20.39±0.35

First10 .952 3942.05 93.72±5.84 19.45±0.31

First11 .959 4641.73 82.54±5.50 18.74±0.27

First12 .963 5207.46 70.51±5.35 18.20±2.52

Table 2. Regression coefficients and constants for estimating 305 days lactation milk yield from different fortnightly milk yields

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Fortnightly milk yield R square F value Constant±SE Coefficient±SE

Test day milk yield

T5 .880 1446.516 124.309±8.787 173.043±4.550

T5, T9 .929 1293.595 73.237±8.030 127.043±5.247

91.112±7.750

T5, T9, T2 .947 1165.425 81.001±7.039 77.684±7.622

83.608±6.794

44.703±5.534

T5, T9, T2, T12 .956 1053.144 55.346±7.641 81.953±7.010

54.316±7.790

42.049±5.083

54.524±8.734

T5, T9, T2, T12, T8 .961 957.800 55.360±7.187 71.386±6.905

30.972±8.618

40.884±4.786

51.363±8.237

39.100±7.602

T5, T9, T2, T12, T8, T3 .963 842.197 50.492±7.153 63.452±7.134

33.333±8.428

26.351±6.367

55.809±8.137

35.133±7.502

22.924±6.836

T5, T9, T2, T12, T8, T3, T7 .965 745.772 51.489±7.052 52.767±8.085

26.642±8.669

27.105±6.275

55.466±8.012

34.064±7.397

18.751±6.910

22.300±8.360

T5, T9, T2, T12, T8, .965 663.163 50.906±7.004 44.889±8.943

T3, T7, T11 23.786±8.721

30.672±6.478

43.786±9.875

28.115±7.923

17.768±6.874

28.305±8.826

21.201±10.632

Cumulative test day milk yields

First12 .963 5207.462 70.513±5.350 18.201±0.252

First12 and First 4 .966 2799.537 58.449±6.017 21.858±.966

-7.602±1.943

Table 3. Regression coefficients and constants for estimating 305 days lactation milk yield from different first 12 fortnightly

milk yield by stepwise procedure

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environmental effects in the later part of the lactation (Saini et al. 2005). The accuracy of different prediction equations based on simple regression suggested that test milk yield record at T5 is enough for prediction of 305 days lactation milk yield with a reasonable accuracy.

Prediction of 305 days lactation milk yield from cumulative test day milk yields i.e. �irst 2, �irst 3 etc.

2Indicated that R increased from �irst 2 to all 12 and ranged 2from 0.854 to 0.963. The increment in R was maximum

from �irst 3 to �irst 4 and from �irst 4 to �irst 5 (0.016). The 2R value with �irst 5 and single T5 was 0.894 and 0.880

showing slight improvement (0.006) when sum of all �irst �ive test milk yields considered for prediction of 305 days

2 lactation milk yield. The increment in R was declined after �irst 8 to all 12, at the terminal phase of the lactation.

Prediction of 305 days lactation milk yield using stepwise regression procedure

The constant, regression coef�icient, F value and accuracy 2(R ) for the estimation of 305 days lactation milk yield

from different fortnightly test milk yields using stepwise regression are given in Table 3. It was observed that when two variable T5 and T9 considered together for prediction

2of 305 days lactation milk yield, the R value was 0.929 which gave maximum gain in accuracy as 0.049 as compared to single independent variable T5. The second

2maximum gain was 0.018 in R , when three variable T5, T9 and T2 considered together for the prediction of 305 days lactation milk yield which explained around 94.7 of total variance in the lactation milk yield. Increasing the variables (test day milk yields) more three did not add more than 0.009% of accuracy in the prediction of 305 days lactation milk yield. It was observed that there was no use of increasing the variable more than 2 (T5 and T9)

2 because of minor improvement in R value. It may be concluded that test milk yield at 2 and 9 fortnights may be pooled for prediction of 305 days lactation milk yield with an accuracy of 93%. The estimates of accuracy of predictions were comparable with those reported by Saini et al. (2005) and Singh and Rana (2008).

Cumulative test day milk yields were also used for prediction of 305 days milk yield. There were only two combinations resulted from stepwise regression procedure i.e. all 12 and all 12 and �irst 4. The

2corresponding coef�icient of determination (R ) was 0.963 and 0.966, respectively. It may be concluded that simple test day milk yield T5 and T9 together revealed better combination for prediction of 305 days lactation milk yield while considering the all traits and their time of recording or expression.

Prediction of 305 days lactation milk yield using principal component analysis (PCA) procedure

The estimated factors loading extracted by factor analysis, eigen values and variation explained by each factor are presented in table 4. The scree plot and factor components developed from different fortnightly milk yields are given in Figures 1&2, respectively. There were only two factors extracted with eigen values greater than 1 using all 12 test day milk yields independently.

Extraction Method: Principal Component Analysis.

Factor 1 and 2 accounted for 79.387% and 90.155% of total variation in the lactation milk yield, respectively. These two factors were used to predict 305 days lactation milk yield. Factor 1 and Factor 1&2 together gave the

2accuracy (R ) of prediction as 91.4% and 96.6%, respectively (Table 5). When cumulative test day milk yields were used only one factor was developed which explained 98.793% of total variation in the 305 days lactation milk yield. This factor was used to predict 305 days lactation milk yield which explained 92.5% of total variation in lactation milk yield i.e. less than simple independent test day milk yield. It may be concluded that simple test day milk yields were better for prediction of 305 days milk yield as compare to cumulative test yields in the present study. Vaidya (2002) used PCA to predict �irst lactation milk yield and lifetime milk yield in crossbred cattle and observed that PCA were capable for prediction

2of lactation milk yield from test day milk yield with R of 99% in the farmer herds. He also emphasized the

Scree Plot Component plot in Rotated Space

Figure 1: Scree plot for different factors developed from different fortnightly milk yields

Figure 2: Factor components developed fromdifferent fortnightly milk yields

Parameter Regression method Principal component analysis (PCA)

Fortnightly Cumulative fortnightly Fortnightly Cumulative fortnightly

milk yield milk yield milk yield milk yield

Mean SD Mean SD Mean SD Mean SD

Predicted Value 627.11 148.48 627.11 148.54 627.11 145.39 627.11 148.53

Standard Error of 5.14 3.19 3.93 3.21 Predicted Value

Adjusted Predicted 427.47 147.28 427.06 148.39 427.11 145.42 427.09 148.38 Value

Studentized. Residual -.006 .001 .000 .000

Deleted Residual -.357 .0480 -.0024 .024

Studentized Deleted -.002 .005 .000 .004 Residual

Mahal. Distance 7.96 1.99 .995 1.99

Cook's Distance .00 .006 .005 .005

Cantered Leverage .040 .010 .005 .010 Value

Table 6. Residuals Statistics by different procedures for estimation of 305 days lactation milk yield

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Component Eigen values Extraction Sums of Rotation Sums of Squared

Squared Loadings Loadings(a)

Total % of Cumulative Total % of Cumulative % Total

Variance % Variance

1 9.526 79.387 79.387 9.526 79.387 79.387 8.942

2 1.292 10.768 90.155 1.292 10.768 90.155 7.432

3 .300 2.496 92.651

4 .248 2.067 94.718

5 .167 1.389 96.106

6 .140 1.163 97.269

7 .103 .860 98.129

8 .069 .577 98.707

9 .060 .498 99.205

10 .043 .355 99.560

11 .034 .282 99.842

12 .019 .158 100.000

Table 4. Different component factors and variance explained developed factors from different fortnightly milk yields

Factor R square F value Constant±SE Coefficient±SE

From fortnightly milk yield

Factor1 .914 2108.454 427.116±3.139 144.503±3.147

Factor 1 and 2 .966 2791.051 427.116±1.983 110.992±2.776

48.013±2.776

From Cumulative fortnightly milk yield

Factor1 .925 2456.552 427.116±2.926 145.390±2.933

Table 5. Regression coefficients and constants for estimating 305 days lactation milk yield from different synthetic factors

developed by PCA

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advantage of PCA in reducing the number of traits with a minor loss of accuracy as compared to multiple regressions. There are few limited studies those predict performance of dairy cattle using PCA from the body weights, age at conception and calving, service period etc. (Bhattacharya and Gandhi, 2005; Haile et al. 2008). Regression analysis and PCA was compared by Haile et al. (2008) and recommended that the parameter estimates generated with multiple regression were unreliable because of the multicollinearity among dependent variables. They suggested that PCA may be used to determine more reliable estimates by reducing the effects of multicollinearity.

The accuracy of prediction of 305 days lactation milk yield by different methods i.e. regression (T5), stepwise regression (T5 and T9) and PCA (all 12 cumulative and factor 1&2) was determine by the R2 values, standard error of predictive value, adjusted predictive value, deleted residual, studentised deleted residual and Mahalabony distances, Cook's Distance and Cantered Leverage Value (Table 6). Based on different statistical parameters it may be concluded that PCA with test day milk yields is the best method in the present study. Based on these prediction equations and available records (test day milk yield), 305 days lactation milk yield was predicted. The predicted lactation milk yield by different methods i.e. regression (T5), stepwise regression (T5 and T9) and PCA (all 12 cumulative and factor 1&2) was 657.21±5.31 kg (686), 667.59±6.23 kg (545), 668.15±6.15 kg (545) and 627.12±5.06 kg, (545), respectively. The lower standard error was with PCA with test day milk yields further suggested that this method is the best among the studied.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Sincerely thanks are due to the Director, ICAR- National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR), Karnal and Director and Staff, Animal Husbandry Department, Uttarakhand for providing necessary facilities and their support during the study.

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Vaidya MS. 2002. Genetic evaluation of crossbred cows in Konkan region of Maharashtra state, Ph.D. thesis, NDRI, Deemed University, Karnal, India.

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Evaluation of sires using different sire evaluation methods in Sahiwal cattle

Abbas Sikandar, CV Singh* and RS BarwalDepartment of Animal Genetics & Breeding, College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences,

Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar – 263145 (Uttarakhand) India

ABSTRACTThe performance records of 927 Sahiwal cattle daughters of 72 sires maintained during 1978 to 2007 at State Livestock Farm Chak Ganjaria, Lucknow were used to evaluate sire for �irst lactation and life time traits. The traits included were �irst lactation milk yield, �irst dry period, �irst calving interval, �irst service period and life time milk yield. The breeding values of sire were estimated by two methods viz. least squares and best linear unbiased prediction methods. The estimated breeding values (EVB’S) showed large genetic variation between sires for all the traits under study. The ranks of sires for different traits revealed that 4-5 % top sires had similar rank for all the traits. The Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) method using single trait viz. �irst service period (FSP) , �irst dry period (FDP), �irst calving interval (FCI), �irst lactation milk yield (FLMY) and life time milk yield (LTMY) is having lowest error variances as compare to the least squares method (LSM) this indicates that BLUP is the most ef�icient sire evaluation method.

Keywords: Breeding value, �irst lactation milk yield, lifetime milk yield, genetic variation


INTRODUCTION

The primary objective of animal breeder is to maximize genetic improvement in economically important traits, which can be achieved through proper selection and utilization of breeding system. Selection for enhancing milk production in dairy animals has been practiced for many years because of economic importance. For bringing about over all genetic improvement in production, reproduction and growth traits of dairy cattle; the selection in females has limited scope due to in suf�icient number of replacement stock. On the contrary, intensive selection can be practiced in case of males, as a few males are required for breeding purpose (Robertson and Randel, 1954).

The selection of the superior sires with maximum accuracy is also of utmost importance for any breed improvement programme. An early and accurate appraisal is essential for maximum genetic gain for computation of breeding value of sire. The various methods based on simple average, daughter dam comparison, herd mate comparison, daughter contemporary herd comparison to highly complicated, Derivative-Free Restricted Maximum Likelihood (DFREML) could be used to evaluate sires for a single traits i.e. milk yield (Meyer, 1998). The main object of this study was to obtain an accurate, ef�icient sire evaluation method and ranking of sires according to their merit to enable the breeder to choose the best bull.


The performance records of 927 Sahiwal cattle daughters of 72 sires, maintained at State Livestock Farm Chak Ganjaria, Lucknow, during 1978 to 2007 were used to estimate sire breeding value for �irst lactation traits. Cows with abnormal and incomplete records were excluded

from the study. Each year was divided into four seasons viz. summer (April – June), rainy (July – September), autumn (October – December) and winter (January – March) based on climatological conditions. The period of calving was divided into 6 period on the basis of period in which their �irst daughter was born. First lactation and life time traits included in this study were �irst service period (FSP), �irst dry period (FDP), �irst calving interval (FCI), �irst lactation milk yield (FLMY) and life time milk yield (LTMY).

Breeding values of sires for �irst lactation traits were estimated by least squares method as described by Harvey (1990) and Best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) method as proposed by Henderson (1973). The effectiveness of different sire evaluation methods was judged by within sire variance (error variance). The method having lowest error variance showed higher ef�iciency and was considered most appropriate. The ef�iciency of other methods relative to the most ef�icient method under the present study was calculated as.


Estimated breeding value of sires by least squares and best linear unbiased prediction methods for �irst lactation and life-time traits are given in table 1. The estimated overall average breeding values of sires, by LSM for �irst service period, �irst dry period, �irst service period, �irst dry period �irst calving interval, �irst lactation milk yield and life time milk yield were 248.47 days, 186.93 days, 527.56 days, 1432.30 kg and 7944.68 kg respectively.

Out of 72 sires 24 (33.33%), 7 (9.22%), 15 (20.83%), 18 (25.0%) & 30 (41.67%) were having values above the average breeding values while 58 (66.67%), 65 (90.28%),

Relative efficiencyof a method (%)

Error variance of most efficient method

Error variance of any other methodX 100 =

48


57 (79.17%), 54 (75 %) and 42 (58.33%) sire had the below the average breeding value (Table – 2).

The estimated breeding values by BLUP method for �irst service period, �irst dry period, �irst calving interval, �irst lactation milk yield and life time milk yield were 248.47 days, 186.93 days, 527.56 day, 1432.30 kg and 7944.68 kg.

By least squares method the estimated breeding value for �irst service period ranged from 93.64 to 372.89 days, for �irst dry period 52.9 to 466.37 days, for �irst calving interval 394.67 to 635.51 days, for �irst lactation milk yield 472.92 to 2636.04 kg and for life-time milk yield 7944.68 to 10544.72 kg, respectively.

By best linear unbiased prediction method the estimated breeding value for �irst service period 148.74 to 305.67 days for �irst dry period 146.95 to 262.89 days, for �irst calving interval 462.92 to 585.45 days, for �irst lactation milk yield 1090.16 to 1772.92 kg and for life-time milk yield 7254.43 to 8956.68 kg respectively. EBV'S for sires did not showed any systematic trend for all the traits under study. The estimated breeding values of sires estimated for �irst lactation traits and lifetime milk yield by LSM and BLUP methods revealed that EBV'S of sire estimated by LSM showed small genetic variation in comparison to BLUP method.

In the present investigation the estimated breeding values of sires for �irst lactation yield and lifetime milk yield showed large variation between estimated breeding values of sires with revealed more genetic variation in the herd. Large genetic variation the estimated breeding values of sires was also observed (Dalal et al. 1999; Chandra et al. 2004; Dahiya et al. 2005; Dubey et al. 2006; Moges et al. 2009; Singh and Singh, 2011).

There were changes in the rank of �irst few top sires by different methods of sire evaluation. The results of present investigation reveal that all sires would not rank same for all the traits. However, the rank of sires for different traits

revealed that 4-5% of top sires almost had similar ranks for all the traits under study. Sires of top 10 ranks on the basis of EBV'S of sires for �irst lactation traits and lifetime milk yield are presented in Table- 3. The result revealed that the ranks for all the sires are not similar for all the traits. Similar results were also reported in different studies (Pundir and Raheja, 1994; Deul kar and Kathekar, 1999; Dalal et al. 1999, Chander et al. 2004; Dahiya et al. 2005; Dubey et al. 2006; Singh and Singh, 2011).

Top 10 sires ranked on the basis of FSP revealed that sire st64 ranked 1 followed by sire, 21, 61 ,56, 57, 60, 5, 51 & 31.

stWhile under BLUP method, sire 37 ranked 1 position followed by 12, 31, 21, 61, 64, 59, 5, 51 & 49. Sire ranked on

stthe basis of FDP revealed that sire 20 occupied 1 position by LSM. While under BLUP method sire 52 ranked �irst, sire ranked on the basis of FCI revealed that sire 21 ranked

st1 under LSM under BLUP method sire ranked 37 ranked st1 sire ranked on the basis of FLMY observed that the sire

st13 ranked 1 under LSM. While under BLUP method sire st69 ranked 1 . Sires ranked on the basis of LTMY revealed

stthat sire 59 ranked 1 under LSM. While under BLUP stmethod sire 69 ranked 1 . The error variances of breeding

values of sires were calculated and used in the computing the relative ef�iciency by BLUP and least squares method. The sire evaluation method, which estimated the breeding values of sires with the least error variance was taken as the best and most ef�icient method. In the present investigation, the BLUP using single trait viz. FSP, FDP, FCI, FLMY and LTMY were having lowest error variances as compared to the least squares method (LSM). On the basis of the results in the present study BLUP was considered as the most ef�icient method of sire evaluation. Various workers also described BLUP method is the most ef�icient than the other methods (Taneja and Rai, 1990; Raheja, 1992; Singh and Singh, 1999: Tailor et al. 2000; Dahiya et al. 2005; Bajetha, 2006; Moges et al. 2009; Singh and Singh. 2011).

Traits Sire evaluation Average Minimum Maximum Numbers of value Number of sires

method breeding breeding breeding value sires above below average

value value average breeding breeding value

FSP LS 248.47 93.64 372.89 39 (54.17) 33 (45.83)

BLUP 248.47 184.74 305.67 24 (33.33) 58 (66.67)

FDP LS 186.93 52.9 466.37 40 (155.56) 32 (44.44)

BLUP 186.93 146.95 262.89 7 (9.72) 65 (90.28)

FCI LS 527.56 394.67 655.51 11 (15.23) 61 (84.72)

BLUP 527.56 462.92 585.45 15 (20.83) 57 (79.17)

FLMY LS 1432.30 472.92 2636.04 35 (48.61) 37 (51.39)

BLUP 1432.30 1090.16 1772.94 18 (25.0) 54 (75.01)

LTMY LS 7944.68 5114.94 10544.72 33 (45.83)) 39 ()54.17

BLUP 7944.68 7254.43 8956.68 30 (41.67) 42 (58.33)

Table 1. Average breeding value estimates and genetic variation for first lactation traits and life-time milk yield by

least squares and BLUP Methods

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The present study indicated that estimated breeding values (EVB'S) showed large genetic variation between sires for all the traits under study. The ranks of sires for different traits revealed that 4-5 % top sires had similar rank for all the traits. The EBV's of sire revealed that BLUP method showed small genetic variation in comparison to Least Squares method. Because of its desirable properties, the BLUP method may be considered to be more appropriate than that of Least Squares method.

REFERENCESBajetha G. 2006. Selection of sires by using different sire

evaluation methods in crossbred cattle. Ph. D. Thesis, G.B. Pant Univ. of Agri. & Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand.

Chander R, Singh D, Dalal DS and Malik ZS. 2004. Genetic evaluation of sires for life time performance traits in Sahiwal cattle. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences. 74 (11): 1155 – 1157.

Dahiya AS, Khanna AS and Singh RP. 2005. Effectiveness of sire evaluation for milk yield with auxiliary traits in Hariana cattle. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences. 75: 518 – 523.

Dalal DS, Rathi SS and Raheja KL.1999. Relationship between sire's estimated breeding values for �irst lactation and lifetime traits in Hariana cattle. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences. 69: 592 – 592.

Deulkar PB and Kathekar M D. 1999. Sires evaluation considering �irst lactation yield for improvement of lifetime production in Sahiwal. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences. 69: 240 – 242.

Dubey PP, Singh CV and Prasad RB. 2006. Relationship between sires estimated breeding values for �irst lactation and life time traits and ranking of sires in Sahiwal and its cross. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences. 76: 824 – 828.

Edward J. 1932. The progeny test as a method of evaluating the dairy sire. Journal of Agriculture Science. 22: 81.

Harvey WR. 1990. User guide for LSMLMW and MIXMDL pakage. Mixed model least squares and maximum likelihood computer programme. PC-2 Version. Mimeograph, Columbia, Chio, USA.

Henderson CR. 1986. Recent development invariance and covariance estimation. Journal of Animal Science. 63: 208 – 216.

Henderson CR. 1973. Sire evaluation and genetic trends. In: proceeding of Animal Breeding & Genetics Symposium in Honour of Dr. J.L. Lush, American Society of Animal Science & Dairy Science Association, Blackberg, Campaign, Illinois, US APP 10 – 41.

Meyer K. 1998. DFREML (Derivative Free Restricted Maximum Likelihood) Programme Version 3.0 β users note. University of New England, Armidale. NSW 2351, Australia.

Moges TG, Singh CV, Barwal RS, Kumar D and Singh CB. 2009. Evaluation of sires using different multitrait sire evaluation method in crossbred cattle. Indian Journal of Dairy Science. 44: 203 – 206.

Pundir RK and Raheja KL. 1994. Relationship between sire's estimated breeding values for �irst lactation and life time traits in Sahiwal and Hariana Cattle. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences. 64: 1219 – 1225.

Raheja KL. 1992. Comparison of progeny testing of Sahiwal sires by the different methods of sire evaluation. Indian Journal of Dairy Science. Indian Journal of Dairy Science. 45: 64 – 69.

Robertson A and Randel JM. 1954. The performance of

Rank Least square (Sire number) BLUP (sire number)

FSP FDP FCI FLMY LTMY FSP FDP FCI FLMY LTMY

1. 64 20 21 13 59 37 52 37 69 69

2. 21 21 64 69 69 12 49 12 27 59

3. 61 46 61 72 13 31 20 21 58 71

4. 59 52 59 70 71 21 21 31 13 53

5. 56 19 57 38 63 61 27 61 38 27

6. 57 2 56 58 60 64 10 5 53 11

7. 60 27 60 53 58 59 19 64 59 39

8. 5 9 51 60 28 5 37 51 50 22

9. 51 4 5 48 72 51 46 49 72 20

10. 31 28 45 63 57 49 35 59 18 52

Table 2. Sires of top 10 ranks on the basis of estimated breeding values of sires for first lactation and life-time traits under

least-squares and BLUP methods

heifer got by arti�icial insemination. Journal of Animal Science. 44: 184-192.

Singh PK and Singh BP.1999. Ef�icacy of different methods in genetic evaluation of Murrah sires. Indian Journal of Dairy Science. 69: 1044 – 1047.

Singh VK and Singh CV. 2011. Sire evaluation using animal

model and conventional methods for milk production in crossbred cattle. Indian Journal of Dairy Science. 81 : 71 – 79.

Tailor SP, Banerjee AK and Yadav SBC. 2000. Comparison of different methods of sire evaluation. Indian Journal of Dairy Science. 70: 73 – 74.


50

Characterization and Evaluation of Tibetan Sheep: a key source of livelihoodin alpine ecosystem of Sikkim Himalaya

1 1Brijesh Kumar*, RK Avasthe, R Islam, Passang Bhutia, AK Mishra and MS Tantia ICAR-National Organic Farming Research Institute, Tadong, Gangtok -737102 (Sikkim) India

ABSTRACTThe Tibetan sheep is one of the key sources of livelihood for the Dokpas; the high altitude tribal community, designated as the poorest of poor and remotest of the remote in India. Tibetan sheep is very hardy and thrives well in very harsh climatic conditions of Tibetan plateau. At higher altitude, sheep is reared under transhumance system (seasonal cyclic movement) with almost zero input and their movements are mostly governed by weather and pasture availability. Their migratory patterns include alpine pastures at altitude of 4754.88 m above msl in Phalung valley to as high as at altitude of 5638.8 m above msl of cold desert region near the border of Tibetan Autonomous Region, China. The Tibetan sheep is medium size breed with height of adult male and female 77 cm (70 to 80 cm) and 64 cm (60 to 67 cm), respectively and average adult weight 42 kg (37 to 50 kg).The coat colors of Tibetan sheep are mostly white with black or dark brown neck and face. The ewes are polled while the rams are horned with average horn size of 18.40 ± 0.73 cm. Their ears are drooping with average length of 11.09 ± 0.20 cm and 6.29 ± 0.06 cm for male and female respectively. The sheep also acts as rejuvenator of the whole alpine agro-ecosystem as its act of grazing prunes of the vegetation, maintaining soil fertility through urine and its pallets. It also helps in seed dispersal, pollination and seed germination. Presently, Tibetan sheep population is declining and only 235 animals are present in Sikkim, which is very alarming for the existence of this valuable sheep and needs immediate conservation.

Key Words: Tibetan sheep, Transhumance, highlanders1Present address: ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, Haryana


INTRODUCTION

Sikkim is a small, beautiful and land locked state of India, surrounded by vast stretches of the Tibetan plateau in the north, Nepal on the west, Bhutan and Chumbi valley of Tibet Autonomous Region of China in the east and Darjeeling District of West Bengal in the south. At higher altitudes where agriculture practices are subtle; nomadic pastoralism or transhumance and agro-pastoralism are practiced as primary means of livelihood. Although yaks characterize agro-pastoralism at higher reaches of North Sikkim yet sheep are usually economically as well as ecologically more important. The Tibetan sheep breed, locally known as “Luk” synonymous to Goddess Laxmi (Goddess of wealth) is reared by the nomadic highland herdsmen of Tibetan origin i.e. Dokpas and Lachenpas (Schedule Tribe of North Sikkim) in the alpine meadows of Phalung and cold desert area of Dongkong, Yumchho, Gurudongmar, Cho-Lhamu and Dorjila ranges in North Sikkim (Kumar et al. 2015). The breed is originally native to Tibet, which later migrated to Sikkim along with Tibetan traders and herdsmen and is well adapted to North Sikkim agro-climatic conditions. Before the closure of the border in 1962, the area/route was very much important for trade in the barter system that was practiced. Tibetan traders visited Sikkim and Darjeeling with Tibetan salt, tea, carpet, gold, stone ornaments and

meat of Tibetan sheep and yak that was exchanged with cloth, rice, sugar, wooden items, natural dye and bamboo crafts etc.

The Tibetan sheep is well adapted to temperate climate and providing livelihood to the people in the region since time immemorial as their traditional occupation was wool trade and nomadic pastoralism. These animals are reared under transhumance pattern where the herdsmen migrate along with their sheep �lock from pasture to pasture depending upon season and availability of green fodder (Kumar et al. 2015). Tibetan sheep plays key role in sustaining the production system and maintaining balance in high altitude agro-ecology along with yak (Kumar et al. 2015). These sheep are unique and being adapted to the very harsh climate of alpine and cold desert; characterized by frequent snow fall, seasonal fodder availability, high speed wind, enhanced ultraviolet exposure and relatively oxygen tense environment.

The Tibetan sheep is considered as most rustic breed of sheep surviving in very harsh climate and partially starved condition during peak winter and providing livelihood security and ecological sustenance in alpine agro-ecosystem. However, population of Tibetan sheep decreased drastically in recent past (Banerjee, 2009) due to lack of regulated market, transport linkage, shrinkage pasture land, inbreeding, occurrence of diseases and very

51


harsh climate, geographical isolation all of which leads to failure to retain younger generation in sheep herding. Population have gone down from 30,000 (Acharya, 1982) to less than 250 in Sikkim (Livestock Census, 2012; Kumar, 2015; Sharma et al. 2016). Despite huge contribution to the livelihood of Dokpas; the high altitude sheep herding tribal community has been designated as the poorest of the poor and remotest of the remote in India and yet, ensure ecological sustenance to one of the most fragile Himalayan ecosystem. The Tibetan sheep had not given due attention, either by researchers or policy makers. It is �irst study under taken to describe the breeds, its rearing practices, role in sustaining the livelihood of high landlers and alpine agro-ecosystem.


The distribution of the breed was identi�ied through personal discussion with of�icers of the Department of Animal Husbandry Livestock Fisheries and Veterinary Services and interaction with farmers in the different part of Sikkim. The hamlet visit was followed with the common principle of rapid rural appraisal (Chambers, 1994) to collect information on transhumance sheep production in alpine and cold desert of North Sikkim. Data on morphological traits color, shape and physical appearance were studied. Metric traits were measured with the help of hanging animal weighing scale, measuring tape, meter sticks Varnier Calliper and digital camera. Ecological observations were taken through personal observation. The market price of the items and cost of shepherding were initially collected from focus group discussion and further validated with in consultation with shepherd. Data is presented in the form of mean and standard errors.


Distribution

Tibetan sheep are reared in transhumance manner by Dokpas (Sheep and Yak herders) and these migratory families live along with sheep in Thangu, Phalung, Dongkong, Gurudongmar and Cho-Lhamo area of North Sikkim. The Dokpas have very limited per capita land holding and pay nominal royalty per unit sheep to the State Forest Department or their local governing body known as the “Dzumsa”. Rearing of Tibetan sheep is very dif�icult and demands enormous sacri�ice from the herdsmen since they have to live with sheep for long duration under harsh climatic conditions away from families and friends. The current population of sheep is 235 and details distribution explained in Table 1.

Morphometric measurement

The coat colors of Tibetan sheep are mostly white with black or dark brown neck and face. The face is black or brown spotted with white or complete white with black eyes are observed in the �lock. The Tibetan sheep is medium size breed with height of adult males and females 77 cm (70 to 80 cm) and 64 cm (60 to 67 cm) respectively and average adult weight 42 kg (37 to 50 kg).The ewes are polled while the rams are horned with average horn length 18.40 ± 0.73 cm. Their ears are drooping with average length and width 11.09 ± 0.20 cm and 6.29 ± 0.06 cm for males and 10.33 ± 0.25 cm and 5.65 ± 0.09 cm, for females respectively. Tibetan sheep have typical Roman nose with average Roman height 13.49 ± 0.24 cm in males and 12.41 ± 0.15 cm in females. The tail is short and thin type with length and base circumference is 13.47 ± 0.61 cm and 6.93 ± 0.39 cm respectively in males and 13.93 ± 0.30 cm and 7.57 ± 0.41 cm, in females respectively.

The Tibetan sheep is medium size breed and average adult male weight 46 kg (39 to 50 kg) and average adult female weight 44 kg (37 to 49 kg). The Tibetan sheep inhabit area where agriculture practices subtle to nil and clear vegetation dynamics exist at higher altitude. During winter season especially in month of January and February area experiences heavy snow fall and virtually no pasture or very little dried grass is present in the cold desert forcing sheep to live in partially starved condition apart from coping with severe snow fall. This leads to a weight loss of approximately 14 percent (12 to 16 percent) in adult sheep.

Housing and feeding

Tibetan sheep is housed in stone fenced enclosures during nights without any roof or any special weather protection strategies despite very harsh climate prevailing in their habitat. The Tibetan sheep is totally maintained on grazing over the alpine pasture and cold desert region with zero external input. Tibetan sheep is housed in stone fenced enclosures during nights without any roof or any special weather protection strategies despite very harsh climate prevailing in their habitat.

Migration pattern

Detailed study of migratory pattern of sheep revealed that sheep remain six months in cold desert pasture i.e. Dongkong and Gurudongmar area and six months in alpine pasture especially in Phalung valley. Though their migratory pattern is mainly governed by fodder availability but it is equally in�luenced by climatic

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S. N. Altitude No. of Animal Range (Flock Size) No. of ownership

1. Lower altitude <4,266 m above msl 40 (5-15) 4

2. Higher altitude >4,266 m above msl 195 195 1

3 Total 235 - 5

Table 1. Population distribution of Tibetan sheep in breeding tract

conditions in the pasture area.

Disease prevalence

Limping is one of the major problems of higher altitude and recent study revealed that about 11.8 % of animals suffered with extremities gangrene because of frost bite. Other diseases like ectoparasitic infestation (45 %), diarrhea (8 %) and parasitological screening of fecal samples revealed 26.53 % animal suffering with various gastrointestinal parasites. Veterinary care are not reached at higher altitude that compelled Dokpas (sheep and yak herders) to rely on indigenous technological knowledge, which has been transferred from generation to generations without any documentation.

Wool and wool product

First shearing of the lamb is done at age of six months and adult animals are sheared once in a year in the month July in Phalung valley when Dokpas tribe celebrate their important festival i.e. Drukpa Tshechi. The average wool yield 700 gm per sheep average staple length and �iber diameter are 11.86 cm and 29.08 µm respectively with 3.83 percent medulation. The quality trait of wool is sub white, full of glass, equal and long �iber. It is found that wool of Tibetan sheep ef�iciently utilized in making traditional attire and blankets; like making coats, bhakku (traditional attire) and blankets. It is believed that carpet made from the Tibetan sheep wool is one of the best qualities in the world. The various wool products and their Tibetan name are: Shemay Chhuba; (It is traditional attire made of pure sheep wool colored with vegetable dye and quite costly and used by people at higher position in society), Chuktoo (It is a blanket made up of pure sheep wool and the outer layer covered with sheep wool and inner surface bare) and Pakcha (similar to chuktoo but inner lining coated with lamb wool).

Meat and meat products

The Dokpas mostly slaughter their sheep in the month of November when sheep have maximum body weight and also occasionally slaughter during the festivities. The sheep meat is air dried and stored suf�icient quantities for long duration for self consumption without any chemical preservative. It is found that the Dokpas use small amount of meat almost daily in their diet as seasoning agent and also for wholesome nutrition. The cut making of sheep carcass is different from the usual practice (Figure 1) and they name each part differently. Their utilization pattern is also �ixed and generally start from the head goes to the back region. Sometimes, Dokpas remove the meat around the skull completely, boil it and thereafter sundries the skull. Such preserve skull is used in their prayer as sacred thing.

Intestines are used in sausage preparation with stuf�ing of clotted blood, minced meat and fat. The smoke dried sausages are used for prolong periods. They make sheep meat curry with spices and sheep fat but most often they cut the sheep meat in small pieces and cook with water and adding some amount of salt. It is also noticed that

sometimes they eat one or two raw pieces of sheep meat and it is believed that to be more bene�icial for health due to its medicinal values. Sometimes they mix pieces of sheep meat in pulses and other vegetable preparation for enhancing the taste. Reticulum of the sheep is used for prolonged storage of processed/raw yak fat. Sometimes, a horn along with skull of ram is retained as trophy at home for worship.

Production system

The Tibetan sheep and yak are the key sources of livelihood for the Dokpas. The sheep also acts as rejuvenator of the whole alpine agro-ecosystem as its act of grazing prunes of the vegetation which is very much required for proper growth and maintenance of the pasture. It also helps in seed dispersal, pollination and seed germination because some plant seed with very hard coating require priming which is sometimes ful�illed by the Tibetan sheep. Occasionally sheep is also hunted by canines of the high altitudes. The sheep hooves are small, stiff cloven footed animals and graze in group and walk in multiple rows fashion which form mini tracks and micro ridges and rills on hill slopes which prevents soil erosion, especially from wind, as these areas experience high wind velocity throughout the year.

The Tibetan sheep is totally maintained by grazing over the alpine pasture and cold desert region with zero external input. It is found that every part of the Tibetan sheep is utilized; like wool for making coat, bhakku (traditional attire) and blankets, meat for self consumption and sale; beads as fertilizer for agricultural production. Generally, while grazing sheep manure the whole alpine agro-ecosystem with their beads and urine, while the night shelter manure accumulated over the months is taken to lower altitudes by Bhutia ponnies for cultivation of vegetables, like potato, leafy mustard, pea, french bean and cereals like millets and maize apart from manuring their apple and peach orchards.

Economic of transhumance sheep farming

Instead of declining of transhumance sheep population, the system is dependent on the natural vegetation and cost

53


Figure 1. Different meat (Lukshya) cut parts Tibetan sheep

very little to the unit sheep production. Concentrate feeding is not practiced in the traditional transhumance sheep farming except feeding of salt. The sheep herding is dependent merely upon natural seasonal pasture and has been recognized to be the low input system of rearing. The economics of sheep farming with traditional way of sheep rearing is given in table 2.

The details of bene�it cost ratio revealed that in second year the bene�it is just doubled of �irst year bene�its (4.78:1) under transhumance system of rearing in North Sikkim.

The sheep rearing at higher altitude is quite economical as it is maintained under transhumance system with zero

input. However, sheep herding failed to attract younger generation and the sheep population is declined drastically in recent past and at present only 235 no in Sikkim which is very alarming. Seeing the importance of sheep herding at alpine zone in livelihood and ecological sustenance, this valuable sheep germplasm needs immediate conservation.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The authors acknowledge the �inancial assistance provided under the Network Project on Animal Genetic Resources (ICAR). We sincerely thank Dr. Karma T. Bhutia, Joint Director, Department of Animal Husbandry, Livestock, Fisheries and Veterinary Sciences, Govt. of

54


S. N. Particulars Rate (in rupees) 1st Year 2nd Year

(Lakh rupees) (Lakh rupees)

A. Capital Investment

1. Procurement of adult sheep @ of Rs. 6000 200 ×6000 1.20 0.00

2. Transportation Charges 1,00000 1.00 -

3. Cost of construction, stone fenced wall in 4×3000 0.12 0.00

migratory route of sheep @ Rs. 3000

4. Utensils and shearing items 10,000 0.10 0.00

Total 2.42 0.00

B. Operating Cost/Losses

1. Even in lean period very little additional feeding 10000Rs. 0.10 0.00

2. Little amount of conc. with salt during lean period 10000 0.10 0.11

3. Cost of medicine and vaccine 0.00 0.00 0.00

4. Shepherd charges @ Rs. 7000/month 7000×12 0.84 0.92

5. Adult Mortality losses 5 % 10 ×6000 0.60 0.66

6. Lamb Mortality losses 10% 20×2500 0.50 0.55

7. Contingencies 10000 0.10 0.11

Total 2.24 2.35

C. Gross Return

1. Sale of yearling lamb with 60 % lambing and 50 % 50×5000 2.50 2.75

lambs sale @of Rs. 5000/lamb as prized meat

2. 15% sale of old stock @ rate Rs. 7000/ sheep 20×7000 1.40 1.54

as prized meat

3. Sale of wool average 650 gm per sheep/year at cost 0.650×290×400 0.75 0.83

of Rs. 400/ kg wool

4. Sale of quality sheep manure a 350gm manure 0.35×290×365×15 5.56 6.12

/sheep and sale @ Rs. 15/Kg

Total 10.21 11.24

Net Return C-(A+B) 5.55 8.89

Benefit : Cost 2.19: 1 4.78:1

Table 2. Economic analysis of establishment of one flock unit (200 No.) of sheep in Alpine-Cold desert pasture under

traditional (transhumance) pattern of rearing in North Sikkim

Sikkim. Co-operation received from Pipon (Dzumsa head) is dualy acknowledged. The Dokpas (Sheep herders) also deserve our heartfelt thanks and gratitude for providing all support including shelter in the dif�icult terrain of North Sikkim.

REFERENCESth19 Livestock Census, 2012. Ministry of Agriculture

Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and F i s h e r i e s K r i s h i B h a w a n , N e w D e l h i . http://dahd.nic.in/dahd/statistics/livestock-census.aspx.

Banerjee S. 2009. Shift from Transhumance and Subtle Livelihood Patterns of the Bhotia Community and its Impact on Tibetan Sheep Population in Sikkim (India). World Applied Sciences Journal. 7: 1540-1546.

Chambers R. 1994. The origins and practice of

participatory rural appraisal. World Development. 22: 953-969.

Kumar B, Avasthe RK, Singh M, Bhutia P and Handique S. 2015.Tibetan sheep: a unique endangered breed of Eastern Himalaya. In: nation symposium on Sustaining Hill Agriculture in Changing Climate: abstract pp 297-298.

Kumar B, Singh M, Avasthe RK, Islam R, Bhutia P and Handique S. 2015. Yak and Tibetan Sheep husbandry in Sikkim Himalaya: Challenges and Strategies. In: Technological options for climate resielient hill Agriculture pp.246-258.

Sharma R, Kumar B, Arora R, Ahlawat S, Mishra AK and Tantia MS. 2016. Genetic diversity estimates point to immediate efforts for conserving the endangered Tibetan Sheep of India. Meta Gene. 8: 14-20.

55


Evaluation of draughtability in Hool buffalo of Birbhum (West Bengal)1 2 2Aruna Pal*, Paresh Nath Chatterjee, Purnendu Biswas, Amit Soren , Vikas Vohra and Arjava Sharma

Hool buffaloes are native to dry arid region of the Birbhum district of West Bengal and used primarily for draught purpose.

The most unique trait identi�ied for this buffalo is extreme draughtability, disease resistance ability and its ability to rear

on minimum input system. The buffaloes are observed to be extremely tolerant to drought and good tolerant to heat. They

are able to work better in night pulling cart with average load carrying capacity of 39 quintal for a distance of 72 km. It was

observed that Hool buffaloes were able to pull load continuously for 9 hrs hardly taking rest for 1-2 hours. Incidences of

systemic diseases, blood protozoan diseases and parasitic infestations were less in Hool buffalo bullock compared to

cattle bullock. Socioeconomic impact was observed to be large enough for the farmers rearing Hool buffaloes in the native

tract.

Key words: Draughtability, buffalo, Birbhum 1Present address: Animal Resource Development Department, Govt. of West Bengal

2ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resource, Karnal, Haryana

*Corresponding author : [email protected]

INTRODUCTION

Livestock provides a large share of draught power. Since ancient times man has utilized animals like cattle, buffaloes, horses, elephants etc. for carrying out different types of work. At the turn of this century, more than 300 million cattle were employed as draught animals around the world (Wilson, 2003 and Conroy, 2007) and Oxen continue to be an important, yet overlooked draught power source (FAO, 2010). It offers the greater population of developing nations a means of sustenance in food production and inseparable part of agriculture. Draught animal power (DAP) is a classic example of large- scale application of appropriate technology concepts to millions of small and marginal farmers for cultivation and small-scale transportation. DAP is still relevant and useful due to the fact that it is suitable to the needs of the farmers with small land holding and the areas where mechanized implements cannot be put to use (Singh et al. 2007). The work bullocks not only contribute manure, conserve natural resources like fossil fuel, but also create employment opportunities and generate income particularly for the small scale farmers in India (Akila et al. 2011).

In India, the energy for ploughing two-thirds of the cultivated area comes from animal power and they haul up to 15 per cent of the total freight in the available 14 million animal drawn carts. Thus the stock of 60 million working cattle and buffaloes were used for various agricultural operations, saving fossil fuel worth Rs 60 billion, annually. With nearly 83 million land holding (more than 75% of the land holding) being less than 2 ha in size, the animal power

can play a very important role in Indian agriculture. At least 200 days of work was necessary to get the breakeven point considering the cost of maintenance and market hire rate for draught animals. The annual use of Draught Animal Power should be expanded through haulage and rotary mode of operation for agro processing and electricity generation and the new research �indings should be communicated to the farmers through training. Indian agriculture is characterized by small and marginal farm holders with the population of more than 60 million bovine for draught power (Singh 2002). India has about 70 million draft animals (Shastry and Thomas, 2006). There was a decline of more than 20 million number of working animals at all–India level between 1972 and 2007.

In 1996-97, the contribution from animal power reduced to 14% while mechanical and electrical power increased to 79%. But in terms of area coverage, draught animals continue to dominate with more than 54.3% area cultivated by them and only 19.6% by tractor and power tiller (Singh 1999). With nearly 83 million land holding (more than 75% of the land holding) being less than 2 ha in size, the animal power can play a very important role in Indian agriculture (Rao and Dass, 2005).

0The Birbhum district of West Bengal is situated 23 32'30" 0 0 0to 24 35'0" N attitude and 87 5'25" to 88 1'40" E

longitude with the average temperature ranges from 15 0to 40 C with scanty rainfall. The agro-climatic zone is dry

arid and the soil texture is red laterite and due to water scarcity, limited agriculture is practiced only once in a year. Draught buffaloes form a major source of livelihood generation for the rural farmers. According to latest

West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, K.B.Sarani,

Kolkata-37(West Bengal) India

ABSTRACT


56


Census, the pure bred Hool buffalo is present in the four blocks of Dubrajpur, Khoyrasole, Rajnagar and Suri-I with

ththe population data being 11440 (18 Livestock Census).

Considering the importance of draught animal power in dry arid region of West Bengal, particularly in socioeconomically backyard region, in coal mine areas and in places of restricted agriculture, draught buffalo is very important. In the present study, the draught buffalo of Birbhum district were studied and analysed its draughtability traits.


The present study was conducted on Hool buffalo (n =1311). The traits under consideration were the economically important traits as draughtability and disease resistance traits. Draughtability for Hool buffalo were measured by the standard protocol (Upadhyay and Madan, 1985) along with some other protocols developed. The traits under consideration are the physiological parameters as rectal temperature, respiration rate, pulse rate before and after work, draughtability score developed, draught power, average duration of work per day, drought tolerance and heat tolerance. Other drought parameters studied were distance travelled per day , average weight carrying capacity for a pair of bullock (tonnes), speed of travelling (km per hour), working period during agriculture (hr), working period other than during agriculture (hr), month of work round the year, working area ploughed per day, speed of ploughing, drought tolerance and heat tolerance.

Susceptibility to diseases and epidemiological study was conducted from the case studies in Veterinary hospital from the period of 2006 to 2011. The diseases were broadly classi�ied as systemic infection, parasitic infestation, blood protozoan diseases, digestive or ruminal disturbances, nutritional de�iciencies, wound, localized eye/ear infection. The parasitic infestation s t u d i e d w e r e s u b - c l a s s i � i e d a s Tr e m a t o d e (Amphistomiasis and Fascioliasis), Hydatid cyst

(Echinococcus granulosus), Lung worm (Dictyocaulus viviparous), Nasal granuloma (Schistosoma nasalis), Humpsore/Legsore (Stephano�ilaria assamensis) and Ectoparasite (Ticks/mites) infestations.


Scanty report are available on development of this breed. It is assumed that the utility of the animal as draught animal, topography of the area, evolution and selective breeding through several generation and has brought up the Hool buffalo through the process of domestication. Although, Hool buffalo is distributed in the entire Birbhum district, however, pure kind of animals are mainly available in Dubrajpur, Khoyrasole, Rajnagar and Suri-I blocks.. The block wise population data for Hool buffaloes is presented in Table 1. In other parts of the district, the animals are graded, due to extensive Grading up programme with Murrah germplasm as per the guidelines of National project on Cattle and Bufalo breeding.

Draughtability traits were mostly measured for castrated male buffaloes which were used for pulling cart containing load. In some restricted places, they were also used for ploughing land. Hool buffaloes being native to this place, they are well adapted to local dry arid agroclimatic conditions, their drought tolerance is excellent. As revealed from the physiological parameters, Hool buffaloes were observed to be more tolerant to work. They are persistent worker and can work for 9.5 hrs at night pulling cart (Table 2). Buffaloes are heavy animals than castrated cattle bullock, so they are some what slow worker compared to cattle.

Average weight carrying capacity (as a paired bullock's cart) was observed to be 39.4 quintal based upon weighing on weigh bridge present in the village. The actual working area ploughed per day was observed to be 1807.85 sq m (Table 2). During rainy season, Hool buffalo are used for ploughing paddy �ield. The ploughed area was measured in cultivation �ield for the data. As observed,

57


Blocks of Birbhum district Hool buffalo population

Dubrajpur 5416

Khoyrasole 3088

Rajnagar 1591

Suri-I 1345

Table 1. Population data of pure bred Hool buffalo in Birbhum district

Physiological parameter Before work after work0Rectal temperature( F) 99-100 101-102

Respiration (rate / min) 22.5 30

Pulse (rate/min) 43.25 56.25

Table 2. Draught Performance (mostly power, ploughing to some extent) of Hool buffalo

they were slow worker but persistent worker compared to cattle. Hool buffaloes were observed to work round the year, thus providing sustainable livelihood generation to rural farmers, mostly belonging to socioecomically weaker section.

Hool buffaloes were observed to be good tolerant to drought, but not excellent tolerant to heat. So they were able to work better at night when temperature is on lower side. In this region, the farmers are mostly of socioeconomically poor background. One of their major occupation is transportation of coal from mines. Hool buffaloes were of extreme importance to transport load in cart. The other draught parameters are listed in Table 3.

So far, no buffaloes from India are reported to be draught buffalo. However, some draught cattle have been registered from different parts of the country, viz. Hallikar, Amritmahal, Khillari, Kangyam, Bargur, Umblachery, Pullikulam etc. Some reports are available for comparative performance of draughtablity of cross bed cattle with that of indigenous cattle. Comparative studies on draft performance of Red Kandhari bullock with pneumatic and iron bullock cart had been done (Ingle et al., 2016), where they have estimated amount of load carried, speed of travelling, and horse power. The draught ability of Ongole bulls were evaluated by overall

draughtability method and horse power (hp) generation method (Vinool et al. 2010). Singh (1999) have described draughtability of cattle through various parameters including fatigue score, range of fatigue parameter, effect of draught load on walking speed of a pair of oxen for indigenous cattle breeds. Draftability of Motu bullock of Orissa had been described (Ghosal et al., 2016). Draughtability of Hool buffalo was observed to be better to indigenous cattle.

Disease resistance ability of Hool buffalo

Epidemiological study for Hool buffalo was also conducted through a period of about six years. Buffaloes were observed to be more resistant to systemic diseases, compared to cattle (Table 4). Hool buffaloes were mostly resistant to most of the commonly occurring parasitic infestations (Table 5). None of the animals under present study was observed to have the infection of lung worm (Dictyocaulus viviparous) and nasal granuloma (Schistosoma nasalis). On the contrary, the prevalence of these two diseases were much abundant in cattle counterpart. However as regard to other endo parasitic infestations as amphistomiasis, fascioliasis, hydratid cyst, stephanophilariasis, Hool buffalo were reported to have lesser incidences compared to cattle counterpart.

Hool buffalo were also observed to be better resistant to

58


Attributes Values

Distance travelled per day (km) 72.35± 0.57

Average weight carrying capacity for a pair of bullock (tonnes) 39.4± 0. 67

Speed of travelling (km per hour) 9.05± 0.04

Working period during agriculture (hr) 8.12± 0.07

Working period other than during agriculture (hr) 9.5±0.04

Months of work round the year 12

Working area ploughed per day (m) 1807.85 ±13.483

Speed of ploughing (km per hour) 5.25 ± 0.025

Drought tolerance Excellent

Heat tolerance Good

Average duration of work per day during cart pulling at night 9.5 ± 0.04 hrs

Average duration of work per day during daytime for agriculture 8.12 ± 0.07 hrs

Table 3. Draught parameters (transportation of cart, ploughing/threshing) of Hool buffalo

Species Systemic Wound Total Blood Digestive/ Nutritional Localized

infection (Fresh/ maggot parasitic protozoan ruminal deficiency eye/ear

/ ulcerated) infestation disease disturbances (Vit A & others) infection

Cattle bullock 29.18 9.96 41.77 0.59 6.15 7.34 2.34

Buffalo Bullock 13.38 16.97 21.42 0.24 2.42 15.15 4.48

Table 4. Comparison of epidemiological data of cattle and buffalo bullocks

(% out of total diseases)

ectoparasites as ticks or mites. This buffalo breed is lesser known and resistance to ectoparasites are a blessing for the socioeconomically backward people to rear them with almost minimum input. DAD-IS, FAO have reported a buffalo breed, named as Thai from South East Asia, which is resistant or tolerant to Tick burden. Epidemiological study of Hool Buffalo revealed that they were mostly resistant against common diseases in comparison to cattle bullocks of the region .They were rather effected by wound since mostly used for draught purpose. They were affected by nutritional de�iciencies. Four buffalo breeds reported to DAD-IS as having resistance or tolerance to speci�ic diseases or parasites distributed world wide, out of which, one is resistant to ticks, another one is resistant to internal parasites or worms, and rest two are resistant to fascioliasis. Three buffalo breeds from South East Asia as Papua New Guinea buffalo, Kerbau-Kalang (fascioliasis), Kerbau Indonesia (fascioliasis) had been observed to be resistant or tolerant to internal parasites as Fascioliasis (Anon,2016). Similar studies on Hool buffalo revealed resistance to most systemic infection and against parasitic infestations.

Buffalo reared at dry arid region of the Birbhum district may emerge as a new breed with distinctly better draughtability and disease resistance, named as Hool buffalo. Pure bred Hool buffaloes are distributed in mainly four dry arid blocks as Dubrajpur, Khoyrasole, Rajnagar and Suri-I blocks. The major threat for these buffaloes is rapid declining of breeding stock due to unrestricted castration of males and slaughter of females, since milk yield is of least importance. Hool buffalo are extremely resistant to common diseases in comparison to cattle and can thrive well with full productivity in these agro climatic region. Hool buffalo has been the best choice for the farmers providing livelihood security to them. Since agriculture is very much restricted, a greater portion of farmers are engaged through unorganised coal mines. Their livelihood depends upon selling and transportation of coals. Hool buffaloes are a major source for them for carrying out such operations.

REFERENCES

Akila Natarajan, Mahesh Chander and N. Bharathy. 2016. Relevance of draught cattle power and its future prospects in India : A review. Agricultural Reviews. 37: 49-54.

Anonymous. 2016. Animal genetic resources and resistance to disease. In the Proceedings of The state of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for

Food and Agriculture. (www.fao.org.in)

Conroy Drew. 2007. Oxen, A Teamster's Guide. Storey Publishing, North Adams, Massachusetts, USA.

FAO. 2010. Draught Animal Power: An Overview. Agricultural Engineering Branch, Agricultural Support Systems Division.

Ghosal MK, Behera D and Mohapatra AK. 2016. Draftability study on small size Mottu bullocks of Odisha with OUAT developed agricultural implements on Test track vis-a vis �ield track. Animal Science Reporter. 10:19-25.

Rao MK and Dass DN. 2005. Genetic improvement of draught cattle and buffaloes in India. In: proceedings of the National symposium 'Draught Animal Breeding and development for ef�icient utilization under Indian farming systems. April 20-21,Bangalore, Karnataka, India. pp4-8.

Sastry NSR and Thomas CK. 2006. Livestock Production Management, IV. Edn. Kalyani Publishers, p-449.

Singh G. 1999. Characters and use of draught animal power in India. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences. 69:621-627.

Singh G. 2002. Spatial distribution and use of draught animal power in India. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences. 72:689-694.

Singh, SV, Upadhyay, RC and Parveen Kumar. (2007). Effect of carting on physiological and pulmonary dynamics in Haryana bullocks during summer and winter season. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences. 60:202-205.

Upadhyay RC and Madan ML. 1985. Draught performance of Hariana and crossbred bullocks in different seasons. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences. 55: 50-54.

Ingle VS, Siddiqui MF, Channa GR and Kankarne YG. 2016. Comparative studies on draft performance of Red Kandhari bullock with pneumatic and iron bullock. Indian Journal of Animal Research. 50: 152-155.

Vinool, R, Rao, GN, Gupta BR and Babu K. 2010. Estimation of Draught ability of Ongole Bullocks by Different methods. Tamilnadu J. Veterinary & Animal Sciences. 6 : 24-30.

Wilson RT. 2003. The environmental ecology of oxen used for draught owner. Agriculture. Ecosystems and Environment. 97: 211-37.

Species Trematode Lung worm Hydatid cyst Nasal Humpsore/ Ectoparasite

granuloma Legsore (Ticks/mites)

Cattle Bullock 26.39 0.146 1.2 0.439 7.33 6.27

Buffalo Bullock 12.3 - 0.87 - 2.65 5.32

Table 5. Parasitic incidences (in percentage) of cattle and buffalo bullocks

59


Effect of ginger (Zingiber of�icinale) and cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)on physiological and heamto-biochemical parameters of broiler

1 2 1 1 3 1Sonali Shinde , RG Burte *, Shalu Kumar , BG Desai , NN Prasade, JS Dhekale and DJ Bhagat Dr. B. S. Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth Dapoli– 415 712 (Maharashtra) India

One hundred and sixty eight (168) ‘Vencob’ day-old broiler chicks were used in an experiment to determine the effects of

ginger (Zingiber of�icianale) and cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) powder on the physiological and heamto-

biochemical parameters of broilers. The birds were randomly assigned to seven dietary treatments in a Factorial

Randomized Block Design (FRBD) consisting of 24 birds per treatment with 6 birds per replicate in a feeding trial that

lasted for a period of 42 days. Zingiber of�icinale and Elettaria cardamomum at 0%, 1%, 2% and 3% were added to the

basal diet and their effects determined on physiological and heamto-biochemical parameters. At the end of the

experiment, 1 birds were randomly picked from each replication and their blood samples were collected for

haematological assay and serum analysis. Results showed that haematological parameters were signi�icantly in�luenced

by the treatment. Serum components such as haemoglobin (Hb), serum triglyceride, serum HDL cholesterol, serum LDL

cholesterol, serum protein, serum glucose, total cholesterol, body temperature and respiration rate of broilers were

signi�icantly in�luenced by 1 per cent ginger powder. The results of this investigation therefore, demonstrate that the

inclusion of ginger at 1 per cent level reduced serum cholesterol, triglyceride, sugar and increased protein and HDL level

when compared to the control diet and normal anatomical and physiological function of birds was not disrupted.

Key Words: Broiler chicks, heamto-biochemical, physiological parameters. 1 2 3Present address: Departement of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science, College of Agriculture, Department of

Agricultural Economics.

*Corresponding address : [email protected]

INTRODUCTION

Ginger is the rhizome of the plant Zingiber of�icinale, consumed as a delicacy, medicine, or spice. The use of ginger and cardamom as substitute for antibiotic growth promoters is desirable for greater productivity of poultry, increased palatability of feed, nutrient utilization, appetite stimulation, increase in the �low of gastric juice and piquancy to tasteless food (Owen and Amakiri, 2012). Herbs, plant extracts and species can be valuable alternatives for the health and nutrition of the chicken. They have a wide range of activities such as stimulation of feed intake and endogenous secretions or have antimicrobial, coccdiostatic or anathematic activity. The blood constituent of an animal re�lects the physical responsiveness of the animal to its internal and external environment (Esonu et al. 2001), they are very essential in diagnosing pathogenic and metabolic disorders and are vital tools to assessing the health status of an individual or �lock. The changes in heamto-biochemical parameters are often used to determine the effects of stress or toxic condition due to environmental, nutritional or other factors. Normal ranges of haematological parameters can be altered by the ingestion of plant constituents such as Ginger (Ajagbonna et al. 1999). The use of feed additives such as Ginger which is a substitute for antibiotic growth promoters is desirable for greater productivity in poultry, increased palatability of feed, nutrient utilization, appetite stimulation, increased gastric juice �low etc. (Owen and Amakiri, 2012), it is therefore necessary to investigate the

feed additives in animal feed which justi�ies the study of the feed additive effects of graded levels of Ginger and Cardamom on haematology, serum chemistry and performance of broiler.


168 day-old broiler chick (Vencob) were purchased from a Venketshwra hatchery Pune, weighed (43±0.35 g) and randomly allocated into seven treatment groups with four replicates of six chickens based on a completely randomized design. The concentrations of the administered supplements in the seven experimental diets were as follows: control diet (no additive) T ; basal 0

diet supplemented 1% cardamom (T ), 2% cardamom 1

(T ), 3% cardamom (T ), 1 % ginger (T ), 2% ginger (T ) 2 3 4 5

and 3% ginger (T ). Proximate analysis of Ginger and 6

Cardamom powder were performed for the components of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude �ibre (CF) and ash, according to AOAC (1990) procedures (Table 1). Birds were vaccinated routinely against infectious Ranikhet (lasota), Infectious Bursal Disease at 8 and 18 days, respectively through the eye drop and drinking water. In addition all the birds were given

nd thmedicine Groviplex for three days from 2 day and on 20 rdday onward for 3 days through fresh water at the 1ml/lit

of water. Blood samples were collected at end of experiment from the wing vein with syringe from one bird in each replication for blood heamto-biochemical study viz., haemoglobin, Serum glucose, total plasma cholesterol

ABSTRACT

60


(TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL). The blood collected in sterilized glass test tube keeping in a slant position and serum was separated. All the serum samples were stored in a deep freeze at -20 ºC until it processed. Blood cholesterol and serum triglyceride were estimated by Godkar (1994), serum HDL cholesterol by Richmond (1973), LDL cholesterol by Friedwald et al. (1972). Physiological parameters i.e. respiration rate was recorded at weekly interval by holding the birds in hands with counting the breath rate per bird per minute and body temperature inserting the mercury thermometer into the anus in morning. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using randomized block design and Duncan's multiple range test procedures within (Snedecor and Cochran 1994).


Chemical composition of experimental diets

The result of chemical composition of cardamom and ginger powder and broiler and �inisher feed are presented in table 1 and Table 2. The values for dry matter, ether extract, crude protein, crude �iber, ash and nitrogen free extract were 77.19, 10.87, 13.83, 17.65, 15.50 and 42.15 per cent, respectively in cardamom powder. Composition of cardamom powder observed in the present investigation was in agreement with that reported by Elamin et al. (2008) and while the 79.30, 1.12, 4.33, 3.41, 4.78 and 86.36 per cent of dry matter, ether extract, crude protein, crude �iber, total ash and NFE, respectively in ginger powder. These values were closely similar to the values reported by Ademola et al. (2009) for ginger powder.

Heamto-biochemistry of broilers

The results on haematology and Serum chemistry of birds are presented in Table 2. Heamto-biochemical parameters studied include haemoglobin, Serum glucose, total plasma cholesterol (TC), total triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL).

The average serum haemoglobin value of group T L 2 2

(11.68 mg/dl) was signi�icantly higher than control groups. While T (10.03 mg/dl) had lowest serum 0

haemoglobin value. The present �indings were in agreement with Naja�i and Taherpour (2014) who

reported that increment in the serum haemoglobin with supplementation of ginger in broiler diets of 0.4 (9.45 mg/dl) and 0.8 per cent (9.16 mg/dl ) level, respectively. Kausar et al. (1999) also recorded the supplementation of cardamom had non-signi�icant effect on haemoglobin concentration than control level.

The overall glucose level highly signi�icant was found in T 0

(188.50 mg/dl) as compared to others treatment groups. Thus, there was signi�icant reduction (P<0.05) in serum glucose values in treatment T L (145 mg/dl) as compared 2 1

to T , T L , T L , T L , T L and T L . The present �indings 0 1 1 1 2 1 3 2 2 2 3

were in agreement with Mohamed et al. (2012) who showed reduction of serum glucose at 0.1 (153.56 ± 1.090 mg/dl) and 0.2 (150.21 ± 1.070 mg/dl) per cent of ginger than control (164.21 ± 1.040 mg/dl). Similar �indings were also reported by Zomrawi et al. (2013) showed reduction in serum glucose when supplemented with 1 (168.25 mg/dl), 1.5 (176.0 mg/dl) and 2 (144.50 mg/dl) per cent ginger powder as compared to control (183.5 mg/dl).

The overall mean of serum total protein was higher in T L 2 1

(2.92mg/dl) followed by T L (2.65 mg/dl), T L 2 2 1 2

(2.48mg/dl), T L (2.33mg/dl), T L (2.28mg/dl), T L 1 1 1 3 2 3

(2.18mg/dl) and T 1.93mg/dl), respectively. Thus, there 0

was signi�icant increase (P<0.05) in serum total protein values in treatment T L (2.92 mg/dl) than to other 2 1

treatments and control group. The present �indings were in agreement with Elamin et al. (2011) who showed dietary cardamom had no effect on total serum protein at 0 (3.17 mg/dl), 0.15 (2.93 mg/dl), 0.30 (3.30 mg/dl) and 0.45 (3.27 mg/dl) per cent of cardamom powder.

The average total serum cholesterol were 169.35, 149.63, 139.43, 151.83, 120.08, 151.33 and 135.2 mg/dl for the treatment T , T L , T L , T L , T L , T L and T L , 0 1 1 1 2 1 3 2 1 2 2 2 3

respectively. Thus, there was signi�icant reduction (P<0.05) in serum total cholesterol values in treatment T L (120.08 mg/dl) as compared to other treatments. 2 1

Treatment T (169.35 mg/dl) showed highest cholesterol 0

level as compared to all others treated groups. Our results were almost similar with Mohamed et al. (2012) who reported that total serum cholesterol was decreased in 0.1 per cent (119.30 mg/dl) and 0.2 per cent (115.89 mg/dl) ginger than control (126.40 mg/dl) group. Higher value of total serum cholesterol was observed by Naja�i and

61


Items DM CP NFE Fat CF Ash

Proximate principle

Broiler starter 91.24 21.28 65.65 4.56 6.59 1.92

Broiler finisher 88.96 19.34 68.55 4.73 5.63 1.75

Feed additive

Ginger 79.30 1.12 4.33 3.41 4.78 86.36

Cardamom 77.19 10.87 13.83 17.65 15.50 42.15

Table 1. Chemical composition of experimental feed ingredients (DM basis)

DM= dry matter, CP=crude protein, EE=ether extract, CF= crude fibre; Nitrogen free extract (NFE) = 100-(moisture + CP +EE +CF + Ash)

Taherpour (2014) supplemented by 0.4 per cent ginger. While lowest value also reported by Naja�i and Taherpour (2014) who reported that the serum total cholesterol (107.26 mg/dl) with supplementation of 0.8 per cent ginger.

The overall serum triglyceride were 88.60, 79.03, 55.68, 69.43, 47.76, 60.63 and 72.50 (mg/dl) for the groups T , 0

T L , T L , T L , T L , T L and T L , respectively. Thus, there 1 1 1 2 1 3 2 1 2 2 2 3

was signi�icant decrease in serum triglyceride values in all groups as compared to control group (T ). The average 0

serum triglyceride value of group T L (47.76 mg/dl) was 2 1

signi�icantly lower than all groups. Hence, treatment T L 2 1

was signi�icant over other treatments. The present �indings were in agreement with Mohamed et al. (2012) who reported the reduction in the serum triglyceride with supplementation of ginger powder in broiler diets 116.10, 108.20 and 107.42 for the levels of 0, 1 and 1.5 per cent, respectively. Elamin et al. (2011) and Ra�iee et al. (2014) also reported the decrease in the serum triglyceride with supplementation of cardamom and ginger, respectively in broilers.

The average serum HDL cholesterol values (mg/dl) in different groups are presented in Table 2. The high density lipoprotein (HDL) were 74.50, 80.00, 89.75, 82.50, 96.50, 82.50 and 83.00 (mg/dl) for the groups T , T L , T L , T L , 0 1 1 1 2 1 3

T L , T L and T L , respectively. The average HDL 2 1 2 2 2 3

cholesterol value of group T L (96.50 mg/dl) was 2 1

signi�icantly higher (P<0.05) than T treatment after 0

supplemented with 1.0 per cent ginger. Our results were agree with Naja�i and Taherpour (2014) who reported that the HDL value highest in 0.4 per cent (43.58 mg/dl) ginger than 0.8 per cent (34.50 mg/dl) ginger and control group (31.31 mg/dl). Ademola et al. (2009) also reported the signi�icant increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol in broiler with supplementation 1.0 (71.79 mg/dl), 1.5 (79.19 mg/dl) and 2 (73.12 mg/dl) per cent of ginger powder than control (66.10 mg/dl).

The overall highest low density lipoprotein content was in control group (57.47 mg/dl) , followed by T L1 2

(52.78mg/dl), T L (43.82mg/dl), T L (40.86mg/dl), T L 1 1 2 3 1 3

(39.94mg/dl), T L (30.81 mg/dl) and T L (28.62mg/dl), 2 2 2 1

respectively. The average LDL cholesterol value of group T2L1 (28.62 mg/dl) was signi�icantly decreased (P<0.05) than control (57.47 mg/dl) group and there was a signi�icant reduction in serum LDL cholesterol values in T L (30.81 mg/dl), T L (39.94 mg/dl) and T L (38.62 2 2 1 3 2 3

mg/dl when compared with control. Ademola et al. (2009) recorded the reduction in serum LDL cholesterol values in 1.5 per cent (26.83 mg/dl) followed by 2 per cent (32.78 mg/dl), 1 per cent (42.78 mg/dl) and 0 per cent (86.95 mg/dl) of ginger in diet. Barazesh et al. (2013) and Naja�i and Taherpour (2014) also reported that low density lipoprotein was reduced in ginger supplemented broiler diet. Our �indings of present study were in accordance with results of Omidi et al. (2014) who reported decreased low density lipoprotein when supplementation of cardamom essential oil (CEO) 50 or 100 mg/kg in the broiler diet as compared to control.

Body temperatures

The average body temperature values (°C) in different groups are presented in Table 3. The highest body

0temperature of broilers was found in T L (41.16 C) and 2 2

T L (41.16 °C) by supplemented 2 and 3 per cent of ginger 2 3

as compared to control and other treated groups, 0respectively. Hence, treatment T L (41.16 C) and T L 2 2 2 3

0(41.16 C) were at par with each other. Almost similar �indings were reported by Hermes et al. (2011). The results of present were in agreement with Ali et al. (2010) who reported that increment in the body temperature

0with supplementation of turmeric (41.74±0.28 C) in 0broiler diets at �ive weeks than control (40.37±0.01 C).

Respiration rate

The overall mean of respiration rate values were 44.00, 43.21, 44.04, 41.08, 44.29, 41.42 and 43.21 for the groups

62


Treatment Haemoglobin Serum Serum LDL HDL Triglyceride Total

(Hb)(mg/dl) glucose protein cholesterol Cholesterol (mg/dl) Cholesterol

(mg/dl) (mg/dl) (mg/dl) (mg/dl) (mg/dl)defg a g a f a aT0 10.03 188.50 1.93 57.47 74.50 88.60 169.35c cde cd bc cde b bcT1L1 10.73 155.00 2.33 43.82 80.00 79.03 149.63cdef def bc ab b ef bcdT1L2 10.18 145.25 2.48 52.78 89.75 55.68 139.43cd abc cde cde bcd cd bT1L3 10.53 173.75 2.28 39.94 82.50 69.43 151.83ab efg a g a fg fT2L1 11.60 145.00 2.92 28.62 96.50 47.76 120.08a bcd b def bcd de bT2L2 11.68 163.50 2.65 30.81 82.50 60.63 151.33cde ab def cd bc bc deT2L3 10.48 185.50 2.18 40.86 83.00 72.50 135.20

±SEm 0.23 8.27 0.08 3.66 2.76 3.19 4.75

C. D. at 5 % 0.69 24.82 0.25 10.98 8.27 9.56 14.24

Table 2. Effect of feed additives on heamto-biochemical parameters of broilers

(Value with different superscripts in a row differ significantly P<0.05).

T , T L , T L , T L , T L , T L and T L , respectively. The 0 1 1 1 2 1 3 2 1 2 2 2 3

average respiration rate value of group T L (44.29 2 1

breath/min) was signi�icantly higher than all groups. Hence, treatment T (44.00 breath/min) and T L (44.04 0 1 2

breath/min) were at par with each other. The results of present �inding almost similar to Hermes et al. (2011). The present �indings were in agreement with Ali et al. (2010) who reported that the increment in the body temperature with supplementation of Curcuma longa (55.00±0.57 breath/min) in broiler diets at �ive weeks than control (66.00±1.00 breath/min).\

It can be concluded that feeding of 1 per cent ginger powder signi�icantly improved performance and reduced serum cholesterol, triglyceride, sugar and increased protein and HDL level with economic production of broilers. More studies required in this �ield to con�irm the mechanism and mode of action of active ingredients of ginger powder. It may be suggested that the 1 per cent ginger powder is more bene�icial for broilers because after supplementation by 1 per cent ginger, farmers gain more pro�its.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors are highly thankful to The Head, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science of Dr. B.S. Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth Dapoli – 415712 Maharashtra for providing necessary facilities during this experiment.

REFERENCES

AOAC, 2005. Association of Of�icial Agriculture Chemists, thOf�icial Methods of Analysis, 14 Edn., Washington, D.

C.

Ademola SG, Farinu GO and Babatunde GM. 2009. Serum lipid, growth and haematological parameters of broilers fed Garlic, Ginger and their mixtures. World Journal of Agricultural Sciences. 5(1):99-104.

Ajagbonna OP, Onifade KI and Suleiman U. 1999. Haematological and biochemical changes in rats given water extract of Calotropis procera. Sokoto Journal of Veterinary Science. 1(1).

Ali MN, Qota EMA and Hassan RA. 2010. Recovery from adverse effects of heat stress on slow-growing chicks using natural antioxidants without or with sulphate. Int. J. Poult. Sci., 9(2):109-117.

Barazesh H, Pour MB, Salari S and Abadi TM. 2013. The effect of ginger powder on performance, carcass characteristics and blood parameters of broilers. Int. J. Adv. Biol. Biom. Res., 1(12):1645-1651.

Elamin RF, Abdel Atti KA and Dousa BM 2011. Response of broiler chicks to dietary Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) as a feed additive. U of K. J. Vet. Med. & Anim. prod., 2(2):33-48.

Friedwald WT, Levy RL and Redrickson DS. 1972.

Estimation of concentration of low density lipoprotein in plasma without use of ultrafuge. Clin. Chem., 18:449-502.

Godkar Praful B. 1994. Textbook of medical laboratory technology. Bhulani publishing house, Mumbai. pp: 219-222.

Hermes IH, Attia FM, Ibrahim KA and EL-nesr SS. 2011. Physiological responses of broiler chickens to dietary different forms and levels of Nigella sativa L., during Egyptian summer season. J. Agric. Vet. Sci., 4(1):17-33.

Jastrzebski M, Pietras M and Barowicz T. 1977. The effect of short term thermal stress on the heart and respiration rates of conscious and anaesthetized chickens. Acta Physiol. Pol., 28(4):359-364.

Kausar R, Rizvi F and Anjum AD. 1999. Effect of carminative mixture on health of broiler chicks. Pakistan J. Biol. Sci., 2(3):1074-1077.

Mohamed AB, Mohammed AMA and Jalil AQ. 2012. Effect of Ginger (Zingiber of�icinale) on performance and blood serum parameters of broiler. Int. J. Poult. Sci., 11(2):143-146.

Naja�i S and Taherpour K. 2014. Effects of Dietary Ginger, Cinnamon, Synbiotic and Antibiotic supplementation on performance of broilers. J. Anim. Sci. Adv., 4(1):658-667.

Omidi M, Taherpour K, Cheraghi J and Ghasemi HA. 2014. In�luence of cardamom essential oils and seeds on growth performance, blood characteristics and immunity of broilers. Animal production Science. 55(5) 573-579.

O we n O J a n d A m a k i r i . 2 0 1 1 . S e ro l o g i c a l a n d Haematological Pro�ile of Bitter Leaf (V. Amgdalina) Meal. Adv. in Agric. Biotech., 1:77-81.

Ra�iee A, Kheiri F, Rahimian Y, Faghani M, Valiollahi MR and Miri Y. 2014. The effect of ginger root (Zingiber of�icinale) and cumin (Cuminum cyminum) powder on performance, some haematological traits and intestinal morphology of broiler chicks. Res. Opin. Anim. and Vet. Sci., 4(2):96-100.

Richmond W. 1973. HDL cholesterol Kit for determination of HDL cholesterol in serum/plasma. Clin. Chem. 19-1350.

Snedecor GW and Cochran WG. 1994. Statistical methods th(8 Ed.). The Iowa state college perss, Ames, IOWA,

Oxford and I. B. H. publication Co., Culcatta.

Zomrawi WB, Abdel Atti KAA, Dousa BM and Mahala AG. 2013. The effect of dietary Ginger root powder (Zingiber of�icinale) on broiler chick's performance, carcass characteristics and serum constituents. J. Anim. Sci. Adv., 3(2):42-47.

63


Morphometric measurement and management of Beetal goatsin Ambala district of Haryana

1Maroof Ahmad* and PK SinghKrishi Vigyan Kendra, Tepla, Ambala – 133 104, Haryana, India.

INTRODUCTION

Goat has been an integral component of farming system and support a large segment of rural population in Ambala district of Haryana. The Beetal goat, locally known as Amritsari offers a high potential for meat and milk production. The breeding tract of the breed is Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Taran Taaran and Firozpur districts of Punjab. This breed is also reared by the farmers of Haryana state. The Beetal is usually black, red and black/red with white patches on the body of variable size. Beetal is a good dairy breed, second to Jamnapari and more proli�ic and easily adaptable to different agro-ecological conditions of India. It is famous for its dairy characteristics as well as mutton production. Its males are especially preferred for sacri�icial purposes. The ef�iciency of Beetal goats for mutton production can be increased by adopting various methods like increasing the reproduction rate, exploiting the potential of breeds with superior genetic makeup. The present study was carried out to investigate the growth performance and management practices of Beetal goats in Ambala district of Haryana.


Data on 153 adult Beetal goats belonging to 6 villages of 4 blocks of Ambala district were utilized for the present study. Nine different body measurement and body weight of the goat were recorded. The body measurements recorded included body length (BL), height at withers (HW), chest girth (CG), paunch girth (PG), ear length (EL), ear width (EW), tail length (TL), udder circumference (UC), length of teat (LT) and body weight (BW). The body measurements were taken for various age groups with a standard measuring tape of 1 mm accuracy after the animals were allowed to stand squarely on an even

ground. The body weight was recorded with the help of 125 kg weighing balance with 100 g accuracy. All the observations were taken in the morning before grazing or being allowed feed or water to the animals. The Reproductive parameters viz. body weight at sexual maturity (BWM), age at �irst conception (AFC), age at �irst kidding (AFK), kidding interval (KI), gestation length (GL), kidding pattern were recorded. Information on management practices of goats were collected from the goat owners through observation and questionnaire. All animals were maintained under a semi extensive management system. Animals were grazed 6-7 hrs in the day time. Data recorded were compiled and analyzed as per Snedecor and Cochran (1994).

RESULTS AND DISCUSION

Morpho-metric measurements and body weight

The body measurements indicate the skeletal growth of the animals. Body length and height at withers are the measures of bone growth while chest girth is a measure of development of muscles, bones and fat and it had close relationship with the live weight. The mean ± S.E. of morpho-metric measurements and body weight for various traits under the study have been presented in table 1. The mean ± S.E. of body length , height at withers, chest girth, paunch girth, ear length, ear width, tail length, udder circumference, length of teat and body weight were estimated to be 71.43 ± 0.36, 74.29 ± 0.38, 78.35 ± 0.53, 87.14 ± 0.64, 22.18 ± 0.38, 10.32 ± 0.14, 19.22 ± 0.21, 28.84 ± 0.22, 11.63 ± 0.34 cm and 44.06 ± 0.44 kg respectively in adult females. The �indings of present study coincide with the observation of Ahmad et al. (2009) in Beetal goats. Almost similar observations were also reported (Iqbal et al. 2013) for body length (67.50 cm), height at withers

ABSTRACT

Data on 153 adult Beetal goats belonging to 6 villages of 4 blocks of Ambala district were utilized for the present study.

The mean ± S.E. of body length, height at withers, chest girth, paunch girth, ear length, ear width, tail length, udder

circumference, length of teat and body weight were estimated to be 71.43 ± 0.36, 74.29 ± 0.38, 78.35 ± 0.53, 87.14 ± 0.64,

22.18 ± 0.38, 10.32 ± 0.14, 19.22 ± 0.21, 28.84 ± 0.22, 11.63 ± 0.34 cm and 44.06 ± 0.44 kg respectively in adult females.

Average of body weight at sexual maturity, age at �irst conception, age at �irst kidding, kidding interval and gestation

length were observed as 26.85 ± 2.11 kg, 372.29 ± 4.48, 516.33 ± 3.19, 348.72 ± 4.41 and 147.52 ± 2.64 days, respectively.

Beetal goats were raised under grazing system of management and some prophylactic treatments of the goats were

practiced by the farmers in Ambala district.

Keywords: Growth performance, Beetal goats, management practice 1 Present address: ICAR-National Bureau of Genetic Resources, Karnal


64


(70.00 cm) and chest girth (67.5) in Beetal female goat under farm condition. Higher value for body length reported as 79.13 cm (Chopra and Rana, 1977) under farm condition. The result of body weight was in close agreement with those reported by Ahmad et al. (2009) under �ield condition. However, lower body weight than the present study was reported by Mishra and Khan (1985). Similar observations for udder circumference and length of teat were observed in Beetal goats (Alam et al. 2011) under �ield condition.

Reproductive performance of Beetal goats

Mean ± S.E. of body weight at sexual maturity, age at �irst conception, age at �irst kidding, kidding interval and gestation length were observed as 26.85 ± 2.11 kg, 372.29 ± 4.48, 516.33 ± 3.19, 348.72 ± 4.41 and 147.52 ± 2.64 days, respectively (Table 2). The kidding patterns were found to be 12.22, 64.36, 6.38 and 1.02 percent as single, twin, triplet and quadruplets, respectively under �ield condition.

Higher body weight at sexual maturity and AFC, were reported in the same breed (Ahmad et al. 2007). However, lower body weight at sexual maturity was observed by Kaushish et al. (1994) under farm condition. Lower values

for age at �irst conception were reported in Beetal goats (Mehla and Mishra, 1980; Kanaujia et al. 1987). The �inding of present study for age at �irst kidding was close agreement with those reported earlier (Ahmad et al. 2007; Kaushish et al. 1994). However, higher values were reported as 776.00 (Singh and Acharya, 1983) and 735.55 days (Kanaujia et al. 1987) under farm condition. Similar results for average kidding interval were also observed in earlier in Beetal goats (Singh and Acharya, 1983; Kanaujia and Balaine, 1985; Kaushish et al. 1994; Ahmad et al. 2007). The �inding of gestation length coincides with observations reported by Kanaujia and Balaine (1985), Kaushish et al. (1994) and Ahmad et al. (2007). The kidding patters in Beetal goats reported were 31.90, 57.4, and 9.60 percent (Kanaujia and Balaine, 1985) and 10.05, 77.76 and 12.19 percent (Ahmad et al. 2007) as single, twin and triplet, respectively. The �indings of quadruplets in Beetal goat were 0.35 percent (Gupta and Gill, 1983) and 1.47 percent (Ahmad et al. 2007)

Management practices

Management practices play an important role in production potential of the animals. The Beetal goats are being managed by the farmers on grazing system for 5-6

65


S.No. Traits Mean ± S.E.

1 Body length 71.43 ± 0.36

2 Height at withers 74.29 ± 0.38

3 Chest girth 78.35 ± 0.53

4 Paunch girth 87.14 ± 0.64

5 Ear length 22.18 ± 0.38

6 Ear width 10.32 ± 0.14

7 Tail length 19.22 ± 0.21

8 Udder circumference 28.84 ± 0.22

10 Length of teat 11.63 ± 0.34

11 Body weight (kg) 44.06 ± 0.44

Table 1. Means ± S.E. of morpho -metric measurements (cm) and body weight (kg) of adult Beetal goats

S.No. Traits Mean ± S.E.

1 Body weight at sexual maturity (month) 26.85 ± 2.11

2 Age at first conception (days) 372.29 ± 4.48

3 Age at first kidding (days) 516.33 ± 3.19

4 Kidding interval (days) 348.72 ± 4.41

5 Gestation length (days) 147.52 ± 2.64

6 Kidding pattern (%)

Single 12.22

Twin 64.36

Triplet 6.38

Quadruplets 1.02

Table 2. Means ± S.E. of Reproductive parameters of Beetal goats

hrs in winter and 7-8 hrs in summer seasons on natural grasses, crops residues and shrubs available in the area. Flock size of the breed ranged from 8-24. Pakka goat houses were provided to the animals. During the study it was found that 65% farmers had separate goat house whereas, 35% housed the goat as part of their residence. Kachcha type �loor was provided in the shed. Farmers selected their own breeding buck from the �lock on the basis of growth performance. Common diseases observed among kids were pneumonia, pneumoenteritis, enterotoxaemia and anaemia.

The results of the present �indings revealed that growth performances and reproductive performance of the breed is high. Effort should be made for its genetic improvement in the farmers �lock. Incentives should be provided to encourage the farmers. Scienti�ic training on goat husbandry should be organized through state husbandry department and KVKs.

REFERENCES

Ahmad M, Singh PK, Sadana DK, Alam S, and Chahal D. 2007. Reproductive performance of Beetal goats in its breeding tract. Indian J. Small Ruminants. 13(2): 182-185.

Ahmad M, Singh PK, Sadana DK, Singh Gurmej, Alam S, and Chahal D. 2009. Morphological characteristics and husbandry practices of Beetal goats. Indian Veterinary Journal. 86: 832-834

Alam S, Singh U, Singh PK, and Khan BU. 2011. Beetal Goat-The pride of Punjab. Extension Bulletin-19 KVK, Tepla Ambala.

Chopra SC and Rana ZS. 1977. A note on the body size of Beetal goat and its crosses with Alpine and Anglo-Nubian. Haryana-Agricultural-University-Journal-of-

Research. 7: 170-172.

Gupta SC and Gill GS. 1983. Studies on some economic traits of Alpine, Beetal and Alpine × Beetal goat under stallfed condition. Indian Veterinary Journal. 60: 944-945.

Iqbal M, Javed K and Ahmad N. 2013. Prediction of body weight through body measurements in Beetal goats. Pakistan Journal of Science. 65: 458-461.

Kanaujia AS and Balaine DS 1985. Evaluation of genetic potential of some Indian breed of goats. Annual Progress Report (1984-85). Dept. of Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science, CCS, HAU, Hisar, Haryana.

Kanaujia AS, Pander BL and Vinayak AK. 1987. Reproductive traits of Beetal and Black Bengal does and their reciprocal crosses. Indian J. Anim. Sci., 41: 351-352.

Kaushish SK, Singh D and Satya Pal. 1994. Productive and reproductive performance of different breeds of goats under semi-arid conditions. Indian Veterinary Journal. 71: 565-568.

Mehla RK and Mishra RR. 1980. Note on age at �irst conception in Beetal, Alpine× Beetal and Saanan × Beetal crossbred goats. Indian J. Anim. Sci., 50: 777-779.

Mishra RK and Khan BU. 1985. Souvenir published at VIII workshop on goats at CIRG, Makhdoom, Mathura, U.P.

Singh RN and Acharya RM 1983. Optima for age at �irst kidding, �irst lactation length and �irst kidding interval in relation to lifetime production. Indian Journal of Dairy Science. 36:298-301.

Snedecor GW and Cochran WG. 1994. Statistical Methods. 8th Edn. Iowa State

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Morphological and morphometric features of Non-descript cattle in Raigaddistrict of Maharashtra

1MG Thalkar, DJ Bhagat*, Shalu Kumar, RG Burte , BG Desai, AJ Mayekar and NN Prasade

Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science, Dr. B. S. Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth Dapoli – 415 712(Maharashtra) India

INTRODUCTION

With the vast bovine genetic resources, India possesses 40 registered cattle breeds besides large proportion of non-

t hdescript cattle. As per 19 Livestock Census of Maharashtra, 2012, Maharashtra possesses 23.70 million cattle out of which 3.32 million are non-descript in Raigad district of Konkan region (Anonymous 2007). India possesses 57% of world's buffalo and 16% of the cattle population. Out of cattle population, non-descript cattle constitutes 86 per cent (Reddy et al. 1995). The milk production of non-descriptcow is about 1.50 kg/day. Although milk production of non-descript cattle is low, but importance of these animals lies in their draught power capacity, heat tolerance, disease resistance, adaptability to harsh agro-climatic conditions and ability to survive and perform under scarce feed and fodder. All these favourable traits made these cows as popular (Kayastha et al. 2011). It is therefore, necessary to improve upon the non-descript animal pool through selection. The present investigation was undertaken to study the morphological and morpho-metric mesurements of non-descript cattle as part of strategy for breed improvement programme.


The present investigation was carried out in Raigad district of south Konkan region. Investigation pertaining to physical characteristics under �ield conditions were recorded by observation. Morphological traits were recorded in centimeter with the help of measuring tap and

were classi�ied according to location, age group and sex of the animal. Details of the observation containing physical and morphological traits were recorded in the prescribed format of National Bureau of Animal Genetics Resources (NBAGR, Karnal) for evaluation of breed under �ield conditions was modi�ied as per need of the study in the context of Maharashtra.

Collection of data

The collection of data on morphological characters of non-descript cattle from the district, three stage strati�ied random sampling method was followed. At �irst stage, 5 tahsils were selected randomly from the district and from each tahsil, 10 villages were selected randomly in second stage. In the third stage, 4 farmers having cattle from all the villages were selected randomly. Thus, total sample size was 360 cattle in the present study. For the present investigation, a set of questionnaire relevant to the subjects of the study was specially designed to collect the information. The data of the non-descript cattle were collected by personal interview method. After interview with the farmers, all the morpho-metric traits and physical characters were recorded on non-descript cattle.


A sample survey was conducted in Raigad district of Konkan region of Maharashtra to study the morphological and morphometric features of non-descript cattle for improving their production potential.

ABSTRACT

The present investigation was undertaken to study the morphological and morphometric features of non-descript cattle

in Raigad district of Maharashtra. The data were recorded on 360 non-descript cattle. The morphological features

included colour pattern of body coat, muzzle, tail switch, hoof and horn, body length, height at wither, heart girth and

length of head were taken up for morphometric characterization. The main body coat colour of non-descript cattle was

brown (39.72%) followed by black (25.83%), white (17.22%), grey (03.89%) and mixed (13.33%). Most of animals had

black muzzle (80.55%), black eyelid (76.66%), black pupil (88.58%),black hooves (71.11%) and black switch of tail

(74.44%). The means morphometric characteristics viz., body weight, body length, chest girth, height at withers, face

length, horn length, circumference at base of horn, ear length and hair length were found 228.30±1.942 kg, 95.69±0.41

cm, 139.55±0.69 cm, 85.10±0.12 cm, 39.96±0.24 cm, 18.35±0.50 cm, 10.84±0.07 cm, 18.16±0.22 cm and 9.06±0.02 mm,

respectively. The morphological and morphometric features of the non-descript indicated that these animals are small

in size having variation in colour pattern. The data generated for non-descript cattle of Raigad district would be useful to

characterize them. It was concluded that the animals in the district are small in size, suitable for develop dual purpose

breed, to support the farming as well as milk production.

Key Words: Morphometric measurement, non-descript cattle, physical character.1Present address: College of Agriculture Dapoli, Dr. B. S. Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth Dapoli, Maharashtra


67


Morphological features

The present study reveals that the majority of the cattle were brown (39.72%), followed by black (25.83%), white (17.22%), grey (03.89%), while mixed coat colour (13.33%) was less prominent (Fig.1 and Fig 2). The results obtained in this study were in good agreement with the �indings of Khirari et al. (2014) in non-descript cattle of Ratnagiri district and Yewale (2011) in non-descript cattle of Thane district. In study area most of the animal were found grey (67.12%) skin colour, followed by brown (26.25%) and black (6.67%), respectively. These results indicated that grey skin colour was the most common in non-descript cattle under study. The results on the trends of distribution of skin colour were similar to the �indings of Khirari et al. (2014) in non-descript cattle but different from those reported by Singh et al. (2007) and Pundir et al. (2007) in Gangatiri and Kenkatha cattle. The predominant muzzle colour was found to be black (80.55%) followed by brown colour (12.49%), grey (4.14%) and white (2.77%). These results indicated that black muzzle colour was the most common in non-descript cattle. The present investigation were found agree with to the �indings of Gokhale et al. (2009) in Khillar cattle, Pundir et al. (2007) and Singh et al. (2007) noticed white, grey and black muzzle colour in Kenkatha and Gangatiri cattle. Similar �indings were observed by Yewale (2011) in non-descript cattle of Thane district. Majority of the animals were found to have black eyelid colour (76.66%), followed by grey (11.94%), brown (6.11%) and white (5.27%) eyelid colour. The results of present investigation were agreement with �indings of Khirari et al. (2014) and Yewale (2011). The horn colour was found to be grey (85.84%) and black (14.11%). Black was the most common hooves colour across all the animals (71.11%). Similar studies done elsewhere have also reported that there was a predominant occurrence of black colour hooves among non-descript cattle (Khirari et al. 2014 and Yewale (2011). The colour of the switch of tail was black (74.44%), brown (17.77%) and white (7.77%). These

results indicated that in non-descript cattle black switch of tail was the most common. The results of the present investigation were agreement with the results reported by Khirari et al. (2014) and Yewale (2011) in non-descript cattle of Ratnagiri and Thane district. The most commonly observed horn shape in non-descript cattle was curved in backward direction (84.25%) and only in 9.46 per cent straight horns. Pundir et al. (2009) observed that the curved horn with backward and upward with pointed tips in Bargur cattle of Tamil Nadu. The poll was non-prominent (90.53%) and only in 9.46 per cent cattle, it was prominent. The orientation of ears was found horizontal. The horizontal orientation of ears indicates the alertness of the animals. Joshi and Philips, (1953) and Pundir et al. (2007) recorded similar type of horizontal orientation of ears in Amritmahal cattle and Kenkatha cattle, respectively. Khirari et al.(2014) and Yewale, (2011) also reported similar results in local non-descript cattle of Ratnagiri and Thane district of Maharashtra.

The average hair sheen, eye type, horn shape and poll characters in non-descript cattle were also recorded in different tahsils of Raigad district. The results indicated that most of the non-descript cattle were having dull hairs (70.77%), whereas only 29.22% cattle had glossy hair. This may be due to poor intake of green fodder, worm infestation, vitamins and mineral de�iciency. The eyes condition observed were glossy (73.74%) and dull (26.54%). A dull eye condition was observed due to green fodder is not adequately available in this area. Further, black and brown pupil colour was observed in 88.58 and 11.36% animals, respectively.

The udder shape of non-descript cattle of Raigad district was observed in bowl, round, pendulous and trough in 28.46, 25.65, 25.33 and 20.54% animals, respectively. Khirari, (2010) and Yewale, (2011) recorded the similar type of results in local non-descript cattle of Ratnagiri and Thane district of Maharashtra. The teat characters of the non-descript cattle were observed cylindrical (11.45%), funnel (11.75%) and small shape (76.69%). These

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Figure1. Non-descript cattle of Raigad (Maharashtra) Figure 2. Non-descript bull of Raigad (Maharashtra)

observations indicated that non-descript cows of the district are low yielder. The present results were agreement with Khirari et al. (2014) and Yewale, (2011). Pundir et al. (2007) and Singh et al. (2007) noticed cylindrical teat shape in Kenkatha, and Gangatiri cattle. The results of teat tips shapes of present investigation were found in pointed (43.34%), rounded (30.62%) and �lat (26.80%). The result of teat tips shapes were agreement with Khirari et al. (2014) in local cattle of Ratnagiri district.

Morphometric measurements

The average body weight (BW), body length (BL), chest girth (CG), height at withers (HW), face length (FC), horn length (HL), circumference at base of horn (CH), ear length (EL) and hair length were found 228.30±1.942 kg, 95.69±0.41 cm, 139.55±0.69 cm, 85.10±0.12 cm, 39.96±0.24 cm, 18.35±0.50 cm, 10.84±0.07 cm, 18.16±0.22 cm and 9.06±0.02 mm, respectively. These traits indicated that the animals were in small size and shape. This may be due to typical agro climatic conditions and poor availability of feeds and fodder in the district. The morpho-metric measurements were in close agreement with the reports of Khirari et al. (2014) in non-descript cattle, Pundir et al. (2013) in Uttara cattle, Yewale (2011) in non-descript cattle, Karthikeyan et al.(2008) in Krishna valley cattle, Pundir et al. (2009) in Bargur cattle. The estimates of body length, height at wither and chest girth in cattle were lower than the Sahiwal, Kankrej, Hariana, Red Sindhi and Bargur breeds and within the range as in smaller breeds like Vechur and Punganaur (Pundir and Ahlawat, 2007).

The present study reveled that the features of the non-descript cattle of Raigad district of Maharashtra are small in size having variation in colour pattern (black, brown, grey, and mixed-white with black), medium size curved horns with backward orientation, black coloured hooves, horizontal ear orientation, lack of prominent poll, poorly developed udder with small teats and low body weight. However, through rigorous selection, dual purpose breed, having small size with less feed requirement can be developed to support the farming as well as milk production of the region.

REFERENCES

Anonymous (2007) Raigad Zilha Parishd, census of livestock in Raigad district of Konkan region of Maharashtra state.

Gokhale SB, Bhagat RL, Singh PK and Singh G 2009. Morphometric characteristics and utility pattern of Khillar cattle in breeding tract.Indian J Anim. Sci.79(1); 47-51

Joshi NR and Philips RW.1953. Zebu cattle of India and Pakistan FAO Agric., Studies No. 19 204-227-80. Challenges and Strategies pp. 150.

Karthikeyan SMK, Saravanan R and Thangaraju. 2008. Krishna Valley cattle in India: status characteristics and utility. National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources. No 39: 25-37.

Kayastha RB, Zaman G, Goswami RN andHaque A.2011.Physical and morphometric characterization of indigenous cattle of Assam. Open Vet. J.1: 7-9

Khirari PB, Bharambe VY and Burte, RG. 2014. Physical and morphological characterization of non-descript cattle in Ratnagiri district of Konkan Region of India. Livestock Res. Int.2(1): 16-18.

Khirari PB. 2010. Study of morphological characteristics of non-descript cattle in Ratnagiri district of Konkan region in Maharashtra. M.Sc. (Agri.) thesis submitted to Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth Dapoli, Dist. Ratnagiri, Maharashtra.

Pundir RK and Ahlawat SPS. 2007. Indigenous Breeds of thCattle and Buffalo. Dairy India Yearbook. 6 edn. pp

261–71.

Pundir RK, Singh PK, Prakash B and Ahalawat SPS. 2007. Characterization and evaluation of Kenkatha breed in its native tract. Indian J Anim. Sci.,77(2) Pp.177-180

Pundir RK, Kathiravan P, Singh PK and Manikhandan VA. 2009.Bargur cattle; status, characteristics and performance. Indian J. Anim. Sci.,79(7):681-685.

Pundir RK, Singh PK, Neelkant, Sharma D, Singh CV and Prakash B. 2013. Uttara -A new cattle germplasm from Uttarakhand hills. Indian J. Anim. Sci., 83 (1): 51–58.

Reddy TVL, Sreemanarayana O and Rao AVM. 1995. Studies on reproductive trains of non-descript of crossbred bovine under rural conditions of Andra Pradesh. Indian Vet. J.,72: 410-411.

Singh PK, Gaur GK, Pundir RK and Singh A. 2007. Characterization and evaluation of Gangatiri cattle breed in its native tract. Indian. J. Anim. Sci., 77(1):66-70

Vij PK, Nivsarkar AE, Tantia MS, Vij RK, Kumar P, Joshi BK and Sahai R.1994. National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources bulletin NO, 2:235-237.

Yewale SS. 2011. Study of morphological characteristics of non-descript cattle in Thane district of Konkan region in Maharashtra. M.Sc. (Agri.) thesis submitted to Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth Dapoli, Dist. Ratnagiri, Maharashtra.

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G-banding homologies of a tandem fusion in Paralakhemundi (Swamp)and Crossbred (Murrah x Swamp) buffalo chromosome

PK Mallick* and AK Ghosh Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture & Technology

Pantnagar- 263145 (Uttarakhand) India

INTRODUCTION

The cytogenetic studies with the advent of banding techniques of livestock species have given a new dimension to animal breeding particularly in unequivocal identi�ication of chromosomes in a karyotype. The science of cytogenetics is developed for identi�ication of individual chromosomes within and between different species and breeds of livestock. Chromosome morphology and gross anatomical or physiological functions of the animals were also con�irmed by this study (Ford et al. 1980). Karyotype reveals the sex of an embryo at a very early stage, which is helpful in ETT. Further, chromosomal study can also help in analyzing the segregation of chromosomes though the crossbreds. Till date, 79 loci are mapped on buffalo, which are assigned to 16 autosomes and one sex chromosome 'X' (Iannuzzi et al. 1999). Karyotyping helps in the identi�ication of correct position of loci on the chromosomes. In non-descript breeds of livestock it will equip us with information to design breeding

programme and open the door for further molecular genetic characterization of breeds. Paralakhemundi is well-recognized buffalo breed of Gajapati district of Orissa state. It is a potential buffalo breed with distinct body features. Upgrading of this breed with Murrah has been taken up in its habitat. Studies on genetic structure, particularly the chromosome identi�ication and characterization of various Indian buffaloes like riverine and swamp, utilizing the advanced banding techniques and molecular cytogenetic markers approach assume greater importance. Banding the chromosome, which is also helpful to study the evolution of karyotype of many species, can identify the reciprocal or non-reciprocal translocation. The indigenous buffaloes of Orissa have been classi�ied as swamp buffalo possessing 2n=48 chromosome (Bidhar et al. 1986), whereas, Murrah possesses 2n=50 chromosome. Reports indicated that there is reduction in chromosome number of swamp buffalo owing to a reciprocal translocation involving two chromosome pairs. Keeping in view the above facts, the

ABSTRACT

Present cytogenetic study was conducted on Paralakhemundi and crossbred (MurrahXSwamp) buffaloes in Gajapati

district of Orissa state. The whole blood culture technique was followed for morphological study of chromosome and for

identi�ication and characterization of individual chromosome conventional Giemsa stain solution (pH 6.8) and G-

banding procedures were employed in this study. The diploid chromosome number obtained in G-banding procedure in

Paralakhemundi and crossbreed buffaloes were 48 (24 pairs) and 49 (24 pairs+1), respectively, in both the sexes and

both of them possessed 10 sub-metacentric chromosomes. The chromosomes of crossbred buffalo possessed a longer thsub-metacentric autosome at 4 pair in both the sexes in comparison to Paralakhemundi. It is due to homologous

translocation and the numerical polymorphism to a balanced tandem fusion between both members of chromosomes 4

and 9 of the Murrah karyotype. A break in the vicinity of the centromere of acrocentric chromosome 9 resulted in fusion

of this chromosome to the short arm of the sub-metacentric chromosome 4, which probably broke in its telomeric

regions. In morphological study comparison of mean relative percentage length of chromosome between

Paralakhemundi and crossbred buffalo in the conventional Giemsa stained, G-banded metaphase chromosome showed

that the Giemsa stained chromosomes were smaller than the G-banded chromosomes (not considering the sex

chromosome). The mean relative percentage length varied from 1.187±0.002 to 7.231±0.004 in Giemsa stained and

1.211±0.002 to 9.817±0.004 in G-banded Paralakhemundi chromosome however; in crossbred buffaloes it varied from

1.107±0.002 to 11.714±0.005 in Giemsa stained and 1.295±0.003 to 12.510±0.004 in G-banded chromosome. The

higher length in the upper side in crossbred (i.e. 11.714 and 12.51) was due to translocation. The centomeric index (%)

and the arm ratio of �irst ten pairs of sub-metacentric chromosomes varied from 37.61 to 47.82 and 1.090 to 1.398 in

Paralakhemundi and 34.93 to 48.28 and 1.081 to 1.498 in crossbred buffalo, respectively. The present �indings on G-

Banding pro�ile could be important in physical gene mapping studies, which can be consider as one of the most

important steps for molecular genetics improvement of the domestic animal.

Key Words: G-banding, relative length, tandem fusion, Paralakhemundi buffalo1Present address: SRRC ICAR-(CSWRI), Mannavanur, Kodaikanal-624103, TamilNadu


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present investigation was undertaken to study the chromosome compliment of Paralakhemundi and crossbred buffaloes by using conventional Giemsa staining and G-banding techniques to identify the h o m o l o g o u s c h r o m o s o m e s a n d s t r u c t u r a l abnormalities.


Cytogenetic studies were conducted on Paralakhemundi and crossbred buffaloes. The crossbreds were produced by the local farmers of Paralakhemundi by crossing Murrah males with Paralakhemundi females. Whole blood culture technique developed by Ratnasabhapathy and Ganesh (1980) with little modi�ication made by Barpujari and Bhende (1991) was employed. 10 ml of blood was collected from each of 20 Paralakhemundi (10 males and 10 females) and 18 crossbred (8 males and 10 f e m a l e s ) b u ff a l o e s i n h e p a r i n i s e d s y r i n g e (5000I.U/10ml) with maximum aseptic precautions. The blood from the syringe was immediately transferred

into 15ml sterilized centrifuge tube after discarding few drops of blood near �lame to avoid contamination.

Culturing of leucocytes and banding

Sterile culture tubes of 30ml capacity were used for culture of leucocytes. To each tube 5 ml of culture media TC-199, 0.2 ml of mitotic agent Phytohaemagglutinin-M (Difco), 1.2 ml of autologous plasma and 0.1 ml of antibiotic solution containing (5000 I.U of Benzyl penicillin/ml) was added aseptically and then incubated

0at 38 C (body temperature of buffalo) for 72hrs. The culture tubes were shaked at hourly interval for the �irst 69 hours of incubation. Then 0.2ml (0.002mg) of colchicines was added to each tube and again incubated for three hours to help for the accumulation of cells at metaphase. After 72 hours of incubation the contents of each tube were transferred into graduated centrifuge tube and centrifuged at 1,800 for 8 minutes. The supernatant was removed and the cell bottom was treated with hypotonic solution (0.075M KCL) for 10

Chromosome Giemsa stained chromosome G-banded chromosome

Male Female Male Femalest1 pair 7.231±0.004 6.897±0.004 9.817±0.004 9.112±0.004nd2 pair 7.082±0.004 6.711±0.004 7.332±0.004 6.957±0.004rd3 pair 6.892±0.004 6.301±0.004 7.167±0.004 6.882±0.004th4 pair 6.501±0.003 5.989±0.004 6.987±0.004 6.439±0.004th5 pair 5.928±0.003 5.897±0.003 6.013±0.003 5.901±0.003th6 pair 5.737±0.003 5.213±0.003 5.821±0.003 5.333±0.003th7 pair 4.827±0.002 4.982±0.003 4.802±0.003 5.012±0.003th8 pair 4.012±0.003 4.098±0.003 4.082±0.002 4.123±0.003th9 pair 3.729±0.003 3.019±0.002 3.827±0.003 4.001±0.002

th10 pair 3.456±0.003 3.308±0.002 3.466±0.003 3.709±0.002th11 pair 3.129±0.003 3.018±0.003 3.225±0.003 3.129±0.003th12 pair 2.987±0.003 2.709±0.002 3.035±0.003 2.892±0.003th13 pair 2.798±0.003 2.405±0.003 2.895±0.003 2.519±0.002th14 pair 2.427±0.003 2.201±0.003 2.507±0.003 2.314±0.003th15 pair 2.220±0.003 2.018±0.003 2.230±0.002 2.219±0.003th16 pair 2.013±0.003 1.999±0.003 2.101±0.003 2.012±0.003th17 pair 1.902±0.003 1.897±0.003 2.003±0.003 1.903±0.003th18 pair 1.798±0.003 1.654±0.003 1.897±0.003 1.719±0.003th19 pair 1.652±0.002 1.503±0.002 1.775±0.002 1.609±0.002th20 pair 1.609±0.002 1.487±0.002 1.703±0.002 1.517±0.002st21 pair 1.456±0.002 1.329±0.002 1.559±0.002 1.499±0.002nd22 pair 1.302±0.002 1.298±0.002 1.429±0.002 1.391±0.002rd23 pair 1.203±0.002 1.187±0.002 1.303±0.002 1.211±0.002

X 5.982±0.004 5.519±0.004 6.038±0.004 5.629±0.004

X or Y 1.011±0.002 5.498±0.004 1.121±0.002 5.501±0.004

Table 1. Mean relative percentage length of Giemsa stained and G-banded chromosome in Paralakhemundi buffalo

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minutes and �ixed thrice in 1:3 glacial acetic acid and methanol as a �ixative. The slides were prepared by dropping the cell suspension from a height of 60cm by Pasteur pipette in such a manner that there was no overlapping of drops on the slides. The slides were air dried and stained with Giemsa stain solution (pH 6.8). Good quality metaphase spreads were photographed by using Carl-Zeiss photomicroscope (Fuke et al. 2004).

For identi�ication and characterization of individual chromosome G-banding procedures were employed in this study. The modi�ied trypsin digestion method was used for obtaining G-banding (Sumner et al. 1971 and Seabright, 1972). In this method previously air-dried glass slides were immersed in 2X SSC solutions (17.59gm of sodium chloride + 8.8 gm of distilled water)

0for 1 hour at 60 C. Then the slides were �looded with a

0.25% trypsin in buffer solution for 45 seconds. Each slide was then rinsed with buffer, air-dried and stained in Giemsa satin [1ml of stock Giemsa solution (BDH) + 9ml of phosphate buffer at pH 6.8] for 4 minutes.

Morphological study of chromosome

a) Relative percentage length of chromosome

The relative percentage length of the chromosomes was calculated by using the formula:

The above lengths were analyzed statistically as per the procedures of (Snedecor and Cochran, 1967). The transformed values were used for the calculation of standard error. It permits comparative analysis of an

Chromosome Giemsa stained chromosome G-banded chromosome

Male Female Male Femalest1 pair 7.681±0.005 7.576±0.005 8.698±0.004 8.586±0.004nd2 pair 7.318±0.005 7.293±0.004 7.918±0.004 7.415±0.004rd3 pair 7.102±0.005 7.019±0.004 7.239±0.004 7.215±0.004th4 a 11.714±0.005 11.719±0.004 12.510±0.004 12.008±0.004th4 b 6.781±0.004 6.615±0.004 7.008±0.004 6.798±0.004th5 pair 6.579±0.004 6.681±0.003 6.919±0.004 6.697±0.003th6 pair 6.201±0.003 6.112±0.003 6.398±0.004 6.227±0.003th7 pair 5.119±0.003 5.017±0.003 6.009±0.004 5.219±0.002th8 pair 4.987±0.004 4.798±0.003 5.117±0.003 4.819±0.003

thOne of 9 pair 4.717±0.004 4.519±0.003 4.729±0.003 4.695±0.003th10 pair 4.609±0.004 4.485±0.002 4.698±0.003 4.591±0.003th11 pair 4.417±0.004 4.219±0.002 4.529±0.003 4.329±0.003th12 pair 4.211±0.003 4.007±0.003 4.311±0.003 4.119±0.003th13 pair 4.008±0.005 3.917±0.003 4.118±0.003 4.005±0.002th14 pair 3.678±0.003 3.549±0.003 3.801±0.003 3.659±0.002th15 pair 3.171±0.003 3.016±0.003 3.311±0.004 3.116±0.003th16 pair 2.901±0.003 2.817±0.003 3.011±0.003 2.917±0.003th17 pair 2.797±0.003 2.591±0.003 2.895±0.003 2.691±0.003th18 pair 2.697±0.003 2.415±0.003 2.798±0.003 2.559±0.003th19 pair 2.598±0.002 2.393±0.003 2.698±0.003 2.427±0.003th20 pair 2.297±0.003 2.199±0.004 2.314±0.004 2.309±0.003st21 pair 2.008±0.002 1.889±0.002 2.109±0.002 1.995±0.002nd22 pair 1.817±0.003 1.415±0.002 1.987±0.002 1.629±0.002rd23 pair 1.697±0.002 1.297±0.002 1.798±0.003 1.419±0.002th24 pair 1.601±0.003 1.107±0.002 1.705±0.002 1.295±0.003

X 6.981±0.004 6.589±0.005 7.001±0.004 6.775±0.004

X or Y 1.118±0.003 6.003±0.004 1.218±0.002 6.221±0.004

Table 2. Mean relative percentage length of Geimsa stained and G-banded chromosome in crossbred (Riverine x Swamp) buffaloes

Relativelength (%)

Average length of two homologous chromosomeTotal length of haploid set of chromosomes

x 100 =

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CentromericIndex (C.I)

Length of Short Arm (p)Chromosome lenght

x 100 =

individual cell and individual subject.

b) Centromeric Index

The centromeric index (%) of the individual metacentric chromosome was calculated by using the formula:

c) Arm ratio

The morphology of a chromosome depends upon its total length and the position of the centromere. The position of the centromere is also indicated by the arm ratio, which is expressed by-


In buffaloes most of autosomes and sex chromosomes are acrocentric in structure; therefore, identi�ication problems are encountered while comparing with international standard (Gustavsson, 1999). As a result,

conventional staining techniques fail to identify the individual autosome pairs with the exception of the largest and the smallest in the genome. But, with the re c e n t a dva n c e m e n t s o f t e c h n o l o g y s eve ra l investigators have attempted to carry out unequivocal identi�ication of the bovine chromosome through banding techniques. The G-banding was known to identify the homologous chromosomes in normal karyotype and also helpful for the identi�ication of small parts of chromosomes involving translocation, deletion and in structural rearrangements (Rowley, 1973; Lin et al. 1977; Long, 1985). It had been postulated that DNA in G-positive band was A-T rich and in G-negative bands was G-C rich. Characteristic dark and light bands representing the heterochromatin and euchromatin area respectively had been observed in the present study. The euchromatin area (light bands) contains functional genes and DNA, which replicate early in S-phase. G-banding pattern indicated the centromeric heterochromatin unlike other heterochromatin did not take G-staining, however X-chromosome centromere

Chromo-some No. Centromeric Index Arm Ratio

Paralakhemundi Crossbred Paralakhemundi Crossbred

Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Femalest1 42.87 38.30 45.17 45.74 1.332 1.099 1.213 1.186nd2 43.94 46.91 42.88 43.37 1.275 1.332 1.332 1.385rd3 43.44 41.52 38.27 43.38 1.299 1.244 1.498 1.282th4 43.04 46.89 42.94 44.74 1.323 1.206 1.328 1.236th5 44.89 42.77 34.93 44.79 1.227 1.398 1.451 1.232th6 45.74 46.30 38.31 46.23 1.186 1.281 1.441 1.162th7 41.74 42.25 48.28 36.84 1.395 1.345 1.081 1.451th8 42.82 42.67 41.36 37.74 1.335 1.098 1.417 1.461th9 45.93 37.61 44.41 43.40 1.117 1.118 1.251 1.389

th10 47.82 45.82 44.44 45.45 1.090 1.301 1.258 1.288

Table 3. Centromeric index and arm ratio of sub-metacentric chromosomes of Paralakhemundi and Crossbred buffaloes

ArmRatio

Length of long Arm (q)

Length of Short Arm (p)x 100 =

Figure 1. Mitotic metaphase spread of Giemsa stainedchromosome of Paralakhemundi female buffalo

Figure 2. Mitotic metaphase spread of Giemsa stainedchromosome of crossbred female buffalo

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Figure 3. G-banded karyotype of Paralakhemundibuffalo in male

Figure 4. G-banded karyotype of Paralakhemundibuffalo in female

Figure 5. G-banded karyotype of crossbred (Paralakhemundi x Murrah)buffalo in male (Tandem fusion)

Figure 6. G-banded karyotype of crossbred (Paralakhemundi x Murrah)buffalo in female (Tandem fusion)

Figure 7. Diagrammatic presentation of the G-banded karyotypeof Paralakhemundi buffalo in male

Figure 8. Diagrammatic presentation of the G-bandedkaryotype of Paralakhemundi buffalo in female

Figure 9. Diagrammatic presentation of the G-banded karyotypeof crossbred (Paralakhemundi x Murrah) buffalo in male

Figure 10. Diagrammatic presentation of the G-banded karyotype ofcrossbred (Paralakhemundi x Murrah) buffalo in female

took G-staining, which were in agreement with the earlier results (Evans et al. 1973; Bharti and Verma, 2004).

The present study described the Giemsa stained chromosome (Figs 1 and 2), the karyotypes (Figs.3-6), diagrammatic presentation (Figs.7-10) and ideograms ( F i g s . 1 1 - 1 4 ) o f G - b a n d e d c h r o m o s o m e s o f Paralakhemundi and crossbred buffaloes. It revealed that each sub-metacentric chromosome consists of two arms. Each arm (p=small arm and q=large arm) possessed different distinct G-banded regions.

In G-banding it was found that the variable bands like dark, pale and negative (no band) bands on the

chromosome showed different degree of contraction due to different effects of trypsin treatment as presented in the diagrams (Figs. 7-10). The pale band represents the lighter band, where as, the dark band is deeply stained and there is no stain in negative band. The difference between positive and negative G-band may be due to distribution of chromosomal protein and DNA. Lin et al. (1977), Iannuzzi and Di-Meo (1995) and Nagpure et al. (2006) in cattle karyotypes and Long (1985) in sheep karyotypes reported different G-banding regions on the haploid chromosomes. The Paralakhemundi male buffalo has got seven bands in the 'p' arm and six bands in 'q' arm (Fig.7), whereas, the females possessed 6 bands on both p and q arm (Fig.8).

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Figure 11. Idiogram of Giemsa stained and G-bandedchromosome of Paralakhemundi male buffalo

Figure 12. Idiogram of Giemsa stained and G-bandedchromosome of Paralakhemundi female buffalo

Figure 14. Idiogram of Giemsa stained and G-bandedchromosome of Crossbred female buffalo

Figure 13. Idiogram of Giemsa stained and G-bandedchromosome of Crossbred male buffalo

In the crossbred, the picture is completely different. Both male and female possessed two regions in the p arms, whereas, in q arm there were �ive regions in male (Fig.9) and four regions in female in the q arm (Fig.10). These types of differential banding patterns with different regions were also observed in all haploid chromosomes of Paralakhemundi and crossbred buffaloes in both sexes (Fig.7-10).

The diploid chromosome number obtained in G-banding procedure in Paralakhemundi and crossbreed buffaloes were 48 (24 pairs) and 49 (24 pairs+1), respectively, in both the sexes and both of them possessed 10 sub-metacentric chromosomes (Figs. 3-6). These �indings were in agreement with the results obtained by Di-Beradino and Iannuzzi et al. (1990) and Bongso and Hilmi (1982). The chromosomes of crossbred buffalo possessed a longer sub-metacentric

thautosome at 4 pair in both the sexes in comparison to Paralakhemundi (Figs.5 and 6). It was a case of homologous translocation. It is evident that the numerical polymorphism is due to a balanced tandem fusion between both members of chromosomes 4 and 9 of the Murrah karyotype. A break in the vicinity of the centromere of acrocentric chromosome 9 resulted in fusion of this chromosome to the short arm of the sub-metacentric chromosome 4, which probably broke in its telomeric regions (Figs. 5 and 6). Using the G-banding technique, Rommelt-Vaster et al. (1978) reported that the tandem fusion occurred between chromosomes 2 and 9 in the Asian water buffalo. It was recently shown from R-banding patterns that the large metacentric chromosome of a Swamp buffalo in the Rome zoo resulted from a telomere-cetromere tandem fusion between 4p and 9 of the Murrah karyotypes (Di-Bererdino and Iannuzzi, 1981). Das et al. (2000) also reported the translocation as a telomere-centromere type tandem fusion between chromosomes 4 and 9 of the river buffalo (2n=50). Further, the results con�irm the hypothesis of Wurster and Benirschke (1968), who suggested that a tandem fusion may have been responsible for the differentiations of the Swamp from the Murrah buffalo.

Comparison of mean relative percentage length of chromosome between Paralakhemundi and crossbred buffalo in the conventional Giemsa stained, G-banded metaphase chromosome (Tables 1 and 2) showed that the Giemsa stained chromosomes were smaller than the G-banded chromosomes (not considering the sex chromosome). The mean relative percentage length varied from 1.187±0.002 to 7.231±0.004 in Giemsa stained and 1.211±0.002 to 9.817±0.004 in G-banded Paralakhemundi chromosome (Table 1), which was in agreement with the reports of Bidhar (1986), Pradhan (1986) and Samal (1991) in swamp buffaloes. However, in crossbred buffaloes it varied from 1.107±0.002 to 11.714±0.005 in Giemsa stained and 1.295±0.003 to 12.510±0.004 in G-banded chromosome (Table 2). The

higher length in the upper side in crossbred (i.e. 11.714 and 12.51) was due to translocation. In males the mean relative percentage length is comparatively more than the females irrespective of the banding patterns (Tables1 and 2). The Y-chromosome was the smallest acrocentric chromosome irrespective of breed and sex (Tables 1 and 2; Figs. 11 and 13), which was in agreement with the �indings of Samal (1991), Gaikwad and Narayankhedkar (1995) and Shinde et al. (1997), and the X-chromosome was the largest acrocentric chromosome (Tables 1 and 2; Figs. 14 and 15), which agreed well with the reports of Prakash (1993), Naqvi and Baig (1994), Gaikwad and Narayankhedkar (1995) and Shinde et al. (1997). The centomeric index (%) of �irst ten pairs of sub-metacentric chromosomes varied from 37.61 to 47.82 in Paralakhemundi and 34.93 to 48.28 in crossbred buffalo (Table 3), which was similar with the report of Chauhan (2002). The arm ratio of �irst ten pairs of sub-metacentric chromosomes varied from 1.090 to 1.398 in Paralakhemundi and 1.081 to 1.498 in crossbred buffalo (Table 3). Thus, information on G-Banding pro�ile could be important in physical gene mapping studies, which can be consider as one of the most important s teps for molecular genet ic improvement of the domestic animal.

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Bidhar GC, Pattnaik GR, Rao PK and Patra BN. 1986. Chromosome number and morphology of Paralakhemundi buffaloes in Orissa. Buffalo Bulletin. 5: 54-56.

Bongso TA and Hilmi M. 1982. Chromosome banding homologies of tandem fusion in river swamp and crossbred buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). Canadian Journal of Genetics and Cytology. 24: 667-673.

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77


Relationship between sire’s estimated breeding values for production traits andranking of sires in Sahiwal cattle

1Jaswant Singh* and CV Singh

G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology Pantnagar, - 263145 (Uttarakhand)

INTRODUCTION

The effectiveness of sire evaluation is the backbone of any breed improvement programme. This investigation was planned to evaluate Sahiwal sires as its performance is remarkable in hot climate and has been recognized worldwide as one of the best milch breed (Ilatsia et al., 2011). Various sire evaluation methods viz. daughter’s average, least-squares analysis and best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) were used to evaluate the sires and their effectiveness were compared for Sahiwal cattle. The information on the production of �irst lactation is mainly required for getting genetic improvement through selection since it serves as an index of life time production in dairy cows. Therefore, it is very much essential for the sire evaluation to correlate the �irst lactation milk yield with life time milk production. So, the daughter’s standard �irst lactation traits are suggestive to improve the overall lifetime productivity.


The data for the present investigation were collected over a period of 71 years (1944-2014) of 1367 Sahiwal cows born to 112 sires maintained at Government Livestock Farm, Chak Ganjaria, Lucknow. Only the sires having the records on at least three or more daughters were included in the present study. The standard procedures for estimation of breeding value of sires by daughter’s average ( ), least squares method (LSM) and Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) was used for age at �irst calving, �irst lactation length, �irst dry period, �irst calving interval and �irst service period.

After estimation of breeding value of sires the sires were given rank as per their genetic merit. The Spearman’s rank correlation between breeding values of sires derived by

various methods was used to judge the effectiveness of different methods. The rank correlation was estimated as per methods developed by Steel and Torrie (1960). The signi�icance of rank correlation was estimated by t-test. The simple product moment correlations (r) between the estimated breeding values of bulls by different sire evaluation methods were also calculated.


The estimates of rank correlations and product moment correlation for breeding value of �irst lactation traits by different methods of 112 sires is depicted in table 1. The rank correlation between the sires evaluated by various methods were very high and ranged from 0.74 ( and BLUP) to 0.92 (LSM and BLUP) for FLMY, 0.61 (LSM and ) to 0.83 (LSM and BLUP) for FLL and 0.63 ( and LSM) to 0.98 (LSM and BLUP) for AFC; all these values were highly signi�icant (P<0.01) . These results revealed that ranking of sires using any one of these method could result in similar ranking ranging from 72 to 93 per cent for FLMY and 59 to 88 per cent for FLL and 63 to 98 per cent for AFC. The correlation coef�icients between other �irst lactation traits evaluated by different methods reported as 0.07 ( and LSM), 0.56 ( and BLUP) and 0.79 (BLUP and LSM) for FCI; whereas, 0.08 (LSM and ), 0.40 ( and BLUP) and 0.92 (LSM and BLUP) for FDP.Similar to the present �indings, Raheja (1992), Sahana (1996), Gaur and Raheja (1996), Singh and Singh (1999), Dhaka and Raheja (2000), Gaur et al. (2001), Dubey (2004), Mukherjee (2005) and Banik and Gandhi (2006)reported high rank correlations between LSM and BLUP method and suggested that these methods were more or less similar in ranking of dairy sires for �irst lactation milk yield.In the present investigation, least- squares method is equally ef�icient for ranking of

ABSTRACT

The present investigation was undertaken on 1367 �irst lactation records of Sahiwal cattle maintained at GLF, Chak

Ganjaria, Lucknow over a period of 71 years (1944-2014). The study was conducted for estimation of breeding value of

sires for different �irst lactation traits using daughter’s average, least-squares and best linear unbiased prediction

methods. Ef�iciency of different methods was estimated by rank correlation and product moment correlation. The rank

correlation coef�icients and product moment coef�icient between the sires evaluated by various methods were very

highly signi�icant (P<0.01) for �irst lactation milk yield, �irst lactation length and age at �irst calving. The comparison of

different method of sire evaluation for �irst lactation traits showed that all the methods are equally ef�icient to rank the

sires for these traits.

Key Words: BLUP, Rank correlation, Lactation trait, Sahiwal1Present address: Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad-224229 (UP)


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sires as BLUP

The estimates of correlation were ranged from 0.72 ( and BLUP) to 0.93 (LSM and ) for FLMY, 0.59 (LSM and ) to 0.88 ( and BLUP) for FLL and 0.68 ( and LSM), to 0.98 (LSM and BLUP) for AFC and all these values were highly signi�icant (P<0.01). The correlation coef�icients between other �irst lactation traits evaluated by different methods were reported to be very low and non-signi�icant 0.24 ( and LSM) to highly signi�icant 0.82 (BLUP and LSM) for FCI and -0.09 (LSM and ) to 0.61 ( and BLUP) for FDP. These �indings indicated that in almost all the �irst lactation traits ranking of sires by and LSM had similarity and lower to highly signi�icant correlation which was moderately over and above the BLUP method.Singh and Singh (1999) Banik (2004) and Banik and Gandhi (2007) reported higher simple correlation coef�icients of least-squares with BLUP with their values being 0.967 and 0.850 respectively, while Deulkar and Kothekar (1999) found comparatively smaller value (0.64) of simple correlation between LSM

and BLUP method. Similarly, Singh and Singh (1999) and Banik and Gandhi (2006) found BLUP method had high and signi�icant product moment correlation than LSM.

The breeding values of 112 Sahiwal sires with three or more daughters were estimated for the �irst lactation traits viz. AFC, FLMY, FLP, FDP, FCI and FSP by applying three sire evaluation methods i.e. simple daughter’s average ( ), least- squares method (LSM) and BLUP. The highest overall breeding value for AFC (1299.54 days) was obtained by daughter’s average and lowest breeding value (1281.25 days) was obtained by BLUP method. The highest overall breeding value for FLMY (1941.16 kg) was obtained by least-squares method and lowest breeding value (1711.63 kg) was obtained by daughter’s average method. The highest overall breeding value for FLP (321.60 days) was obtained by least-squares method and lowest breeding value (313.70 days) was obtained by BLUP method. The highest overall breeding value for FDP (207.60 days) was obtained by daughter’s average and

First Lactation Milk Yield (FLMY)

Methods D LSM BLUP

D 1.0 0.88** 0.74**

LSM 0.93** 1.0 0.92**

BLUP 0.72** 0.88** 1.0

First Lactation Length (FLL)

Methods D LSM BLUP

D 1.0 0.61** 0.80**

LSM 0.59** 1.0 0.83**

BLUP 0.88** 0.79** 1.0

First Calving Interval (FCI)

Methods D LSM BLUP

D 1.0 0.07 0.56**

LSM 0.24 1.0 0.79**

BLUP 0.67** 0.82** 1.0

First Dry Period (FDP)

Methods D LSM BLUP

D 1.0 0.08 0.40**

LSM -0.09 1.0 0.92**

BLUP 0.61** -0.27 1.0

Age at First Calving (AFC)

Methods D LSM BLUP

D 1.0 0.63** 0.67**

LSM 0.68** 1.0 0.98**

BLUP 0.73** 0.98** 1.0

Table 1. Centromeric index and arm ratio of sub-metacentric chromosomes of Paralakhemundi and Crossbred buffaloes

D = Daughter’s Average, LSM = Least-Squares Method, BLUP = Best Linear Unbiased Prediction** Significant at 1% level

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lowest breeding value (194.46 days) was obtained by BLUP method. The highest overall breeding value for FCI (524.25 days) was obtained by daughter’s average and lowest breeding value (508.56 days) was obtained by BLUP method. The highest overall breeding value for FSP (240.61 days) was obtained by daughter’s average and lowest breeding value (225.28 days) was obtained by BLUP method. So, the estimated breeding values of sires for �irst lactation traits by different methods of sire evaluation showed a large genetic variation between sires. Considering �irst lactation milk as principal �irst lactation trait in this study, �ive sires (Sire code 7, 9, 18, 26 and 52) were present in top ten sires on the basis of estimated breeding values from FLMY in all the three methods of sire evaluation table 2.

Breeding values of 112 Sahiwal sires having three or more daughters were estimated for lifetime traits viz. LTMY, LTLL applying three different methods (( , LSM and BLUP) of sire evaluation. The average breeding value of sires for LTMY was 8803.58 kg, 9262.50 kg and 9815.95 kg, respectively, using , LSM and BLUP methods of sire evaluation. Whereas, the average breeding value for lifetime lactation length was 1543.20 days, 1534.28 days and 1547.30 days, respectively, using , LSM and BLUP methods of sire evaluation. So, the estimated breeding values of sires for lifetime traits by different methods of sire evaluation showed a large genetic variation between sires. Considering, LTMY as principal lifetime trait in this study, �ive sires (Sire code 7, 18, 38, 73 and 112) were present in the list of top ten sires on the basis of estimated

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FLMY LTMY LTLL

Rank D LSM BLUP D LSM BLUP D LSM BLUP

SIRE CODE

1 52 52 52 18 18 18 18 18 73

2 9 18 9 7 7 87 73 73 18

3 7 7 18 38 38 73 8 8 112

4 2 9 7 73 73 112 112 112 87

5 18 38 87 52 52 92 19 19 92

6 48 2 94 48 48 38 25 25 88

7 38 51 54 9 9 88 60 60 24

8 51 48 38 60 60 56 77 77 60

9 31 54 26 31 31 94 87 87 8

10 26 26 88 112 112 7 24 24 55

Table 2. Rank of Top 10 Sahiwal sires for their estimated breeding values (EBVs) for FLMY and Life-time traits

D = Daughter’s Average, LSM = Least-Squares Method, BLUP = Best Linear Unbiased Prediction

FLMY = First Lactation Milk Yield, LTMY = Lifetime Milk Yield, LTLL = Lifetime lactation length

Traits FLMY LTMY LTLL

Methods D LSM BLUP D LSM BLUP D LSM BLUP

FLMY D 1.0 0.9 0.6 0.70 0.70 0.30 0.10 0.10 0.10

LSM 1.0 0.70 0.60 0.60 0.30 0.10 0.10 0.10

BLUP 1.0 0.50 0.50 0.60 0.20 0.20 0.30

LTMY D 1.0 1.0 0.50 0.40 0.40 0.40

LSM 1.0 0.50 0.40 0.40 0.40

BLUP 1.0 0.40 0.40 0.60

LTLL D 1.0 1.0 0.70

LSM 1.0 0.70

BLUP 1.0

Table 3. Percent of common sires in top ten sires with respect to different method of sire evaluation for FLMY and Life-time traits

D = Daughter’s Average, LSM = Least-Squares Method, BLUP = Best Linear Unbiased Prediction

FLMY = First Lactation Milk Yield, LTMY = Lifetime Milk Yield, LTLL = Lifetime lactation length


breeding values from LTMY in all the three methods of sire evaluation table 3.

The rank correlation coef�icients and product moment coef�icient between the sires evaluated by various methods were very highly signi�icant (P<0.01) for �irst lactation milk yield, �irst lactation length and age at �irst calving. The comparison of different method of sire evaluation for �irst lactation traits showed that least- squares method is equally ef�icient for ranking of sires as BLUP for �irst lactation milk yield, �irst lactation length and age at �irst calving.

REFERENCES

Banik S. 2004. Sire evaluation in Sahiwal cattle. Ph.D. Thesis, NDRI Deemed University, Karnal, India.

Banik S. and Gandhi RS. 2006. Animal model versus conventional models of sire evaluation in Sahiwal cattle. Asian Australasian Journal of Animal Science19: 1225-1228.

Banik S and Gandhi RS.2007. Effectiveness of DFREML versus conventional methods of Sahiwal sire evaluation. Indian Journal of Animal Science 77: 1143-1147.

Deulkar PB and Kothekar MD. 1999. Sire evaluation considering �irst lactation yield for improvement of lifetime production in Sahiwal. Indian J. Anim. Sci., 69: 240-242.

Dhaka SS and Raheja KL. 2000. A comparison of sire evaluation methods. Indian Journal of Animal Science70 : 643-644.

Dubey PP. 2004.Comparison of different sire evaluation methods in dairy cattle. M.Sc. Thesis, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India.

Gaur GK and Raheja KL. 1996. Comparison of sire evaluation procedures and relationships between estimates of sires breeding value for production traits in Sahiwal. Indian Journal of Animal Science 66 : 735-737.

Gaur GK,Tripathi VN, Mukherjee S and Chaudhary VK. 2001. Ef�iciency of sire evaluation procedures in Frieswal cattle. Indian Journal of Veterinary Research 10: 1-6.

Ilatsia ED,Roessler R,Kahi AK,Piepho HP and Zarate V. 2011.Production objectives and breeding goals of Sahiwal cattle keepers in Kenya and implication for a breeding programme.Tropical Animal Health and Production. DOI 10.1007/s11250-011-9928-8

Mukherjee S. 2005. Genetic evaluation of Frieswal cattle. Ph.D. Thesis, NDRI Deemed University, Karnal, India.

Raheja KL. 1992. Comparison of progeny testing of Sahiwal sires by the different methods of sire evaluation. Indian Journal of Dairy Science 45: 64-69.

Sahana G. 1996. Effectiveness of sire evaluation methods for milk production alongwith auxiliary traits vis-à-vis other methods in crossbred cattle.Ph.D. Thesis, National Dairy Research Institute (Deemed University), Karnal, India.

Singh PK and Singh BP. 1999. Ef�icacy of different methods in genetic evaluation of Murrah sires. Indian Journal of Animal Science 69: 1044-1047.

Steel RGD and Torrie JH. 1960. Principles and Procedure of Statistics with Special Reference to the Biological Sciences. McGrew Hill Book Company Inc, New York, 550.

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Genetic polymorphisms within coding region of insulin like growth factor-1 genein six indigenous draught cattle

1 2 3A Gogoi* , SMK Karthickeyan and P Chabukdhara

Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai, India

INTRODUCTION

The Indian cattle, popularly known as zebu cattle have speci�ic merits like disease resistance, heat tolerance, endurance and ability to produce under stress and low feed input. At present around 100 million hectares of farm land are ploughed by draught animals, which form 55 per cent of total cultivable area (Singh, 1999). According to

th19 Livestock Census Report (2012) it becomes obvious that draught animal population in India has been steadily declining. The population of draught animals in �ield operations has shown a negative annual growth rate from 54.32 million in 2003 - 2007 to 39.85 million in 2012. The working group on Animal Husbandry and Dairying, 11th �ive year plan (2007- 12) revealed that although use of mechanical and electrical power has increased over the years, the draught cattle shall continue to be a major source of farm power in India in future for small and marginal farmers. However, critical review of literature revealed that extensive studies had been carried out on physical characteristics, work performance and biochemical parameters of work bullocks. But the work on genetic improvement of draught cattle and molecular

markers related to draught power has not been attempted so far. Hence the present study was planned to characterise the bovine Insulin-like growth factor – 1 (IGF-1) gene and to explore the polymorphisms of the gene involved in the main metabolic pathway related to physical performance of draught cattle. In the research, six popular draught breeds of south India viz. Bargur, Hallikar, Kangayam, Ongole, Pullikulum and Umblachery were selected. Insulin like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) is considered as one of the potential candidate markers for muscle strength and muscle mass in cattle due to their role in regulation of cell proliferation and animal growth (Siadkowska et al . 2006). It is also known as Somatomedin C, a member of insulin superfamily. The primary source of IGF-1 is the liver, from which it is released into the blood and acts as an endocrine mode on other tissues. IGF-1 is a polypeptide of molecular weight 7.5 kDa, built of 70 amino acids (Daughaday and Rotwein, 1989) and is identical in human, cattle, dogs and pigs (Nixon et al. 1999). The mature IGF-1 in cattle is expressed from a gene consisting of 4 exons (exon 1-4) and spanning more than 71 kb of genomic DNA. The IGF -1 gene was localized on chromosome 5 in cattle by Bishop

ABSTRACT

The study was undertaken to detect genetic polymorphisms in the coding regions of bovine insulin-like growth factor

(IGF-1) gene in six indigenous draught cattle breeds viz., Bargur, Hallikar, Kangayam, Ongole, Pullikulum and

Umblachery. A total of 312 blood samples (52 samples from each breed) were collected and genomic DNA was isolated.

Four sets of primers were designed for the expressed regions of the IGF-1 gene. The presence of six single nucleotide

polymorphisms (SNPs) was detected after sequencing and analysis. The sizes of amplicons (607, 454, 518 and 671 bp)

obtained covered the exons one to four with intronic sequences on either sides. The SNPs in exon 1 were at positions g.

213G>A (transition) and g. 244C>A (transversion) between Bos taurus and Bos indicus cattle. The variation at �irst

position resulted in non-synonymous mutation, replacing the amino acid ‘Serine’ with ‘Asparagine’. Whereas the

mutation at position g. 244C>A, resulted in a stop codon (TGA). At position g. 4827 in exon 2, a ‘G’ to ‘A’ transition was

observed, which resulted in synonymous mutation. In exon 3, three SNPs were observed at positions g. 56233G>A

(transition), g. 56317G>T (transversion) and g. 56354A>T (transversion). These variations resulted in non-

synonymous changes in amino acid sequences, i.e. from ‘Arginine’ to ‘Lysine’, ‘Lysine’ to ‘Asparagine’ and ‘Methionine’ to

‘Leucine’ respectively. This region exhibited maximum polymorphisms at different loci whereas; the fourth exon

exhibited the greatest homology between Bos taurus and Bos indicus cattle, showing no variation in any of the positions.

Genotyping these SNPs in larger number will give signi�icant information on the role of these SNPs among Indian

draught cattle.

Key Words: Genetic polymorphism, draught cattle, Insulin-like growth factor 1 gene, SNPs1Present address: Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science, Assam

2Agricultural University, North Lakhimpur, Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Madras Veterinary College, 3Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry,

Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, North Lakhimpur.


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et al. (1991) and Miller et al. (1991). A recent study in humans suggested that polymorphism in IGF-1 gene might in�luence the muscle strength in response to

prolonged physical exercise (Kostek et al., 2005). Thus, bovine IGF-1 gene was considered to contribute to exercise tolerance in these draught breeds.


A total of 312 blood samples (52 samples from each breed) were collected from respective breeding tracts of the six breeds in sterile vacutainers, containing EDTA as an anticoagulant and stored at 4⁰C till further processing. Genomic DNA was isolated using standard phenol-chloroform extraction procedure (Sambrook et al., 1989) with slight modi�ications using DNAzol reagent for lysis prior to phenol-chloroform extraction and then DNA was diluted to 50 ng/μl. The purity and concentration of DNA samples were estimated by Biospectrophotometer (Eppendorf, USA). Based on the bands observed in the agarose gel and concentrat ion determined by spectrophotometer measurement, DNA was diluted using

Tris EDTA buffer in 1 in 25 or 50 or 100 dilutions to obtain the template DNA (working DNA) concentration of approximately 20 to 50 ng per μl and stored at -20⁰C till further processing. Using “Primer3” online software tool (http://primer3.wi.mit.edu/), four sets of primers were designed to amplify the expressed regions of the IGF-1 gene (1 to 262, 4735 to 4894, 56190 to 56371 and 71601 to 71821 nucleotide positions corresponding to GenBank accession No. AC_000162.1) (Table 1). The most critical variables considered while designing the primers were primer length (18-24 bp), melting temperature (55⁰C to 80⁰C), speci�icity, complementary primer sequence, GC content (40 per cent to 60 per cent) and 3'-end sequence. PCR was performed by following the protocol given in Table 2. The PCR amplicons were analysed on a 2% agarose gel and bands were documented. The bands developed were observed in a GelDoc (Bio-Rad,USA) system. The amplicons were sequenced in both forward and reverse directions at M/s. Ocimum Biosolutions, Hyderabad. The instrument used for sequencing was ABI

Region Primer Sequence (5’-3’end) Annealing Temperature (⁰C)

1 Forward ttt gcc aga aga ggg aga ga 62.0

Reverse caa gcc ctg aag aag tgg ag

2 Forward tag cat gat gcc aag acc tg 53.8

Reverse gct cgc att aag gtg agg aa

3 Forward gaa aaa cct ggg agg gtc a 59.9

Reverse cct ctc agg gga gaa tgg a

4 Forward cca tgc cat caa ggg aaa 52.4

Reverse caa gcc tgc tga atg aat g

Table 1. Primer sequences designed for amplifying IGF – 1 gene

Step Process Temperature Duration

1 Initial denaturation 95⁰C 5 min

2 Denaturation 95⁰C 45 sec

3 Annealing : Exon 1 62.2⁰C 1 min 30 sec

Exon 2 53.8⁰C 40 sec

Exon 3 59.9⁰C 1 min 30 sec

Exon 4 52.4⁰C 45 sec

4 Extension : Exon 1 72⁰C 1 min 15sec

Exon 2 72⁰C 40 sec

Exon 3 72⁰C 1 min

Exon 4 72⁰C 1 min 15 sec

5 Back to steps 2 to 4 35 cycles

6 Final extension 72⁰C 10 min

7 Hold 4⁰C Until the samples are removed

Table 2. PCR protocol for IGF -1 gene amplification

3730XL DNA analyser (Applied Biosystems, U.S.A). The variations in sequences among the six cattle breeds and individual animals within a breed were determined using DNA Lasergene Version 2.1 software. The *.ab1 �iles obtained were fed to “Seqman module” of Lasergene software for multiple sequence analysis. The Bos taurus sequence was considered as the reference sequence and was aligned with the query sequences of Bos indicus. This software created the consensus sequence and highlighted the SNPs, which were veri�ied by base calling using chromatogram. The SNP position was noted down from the reference sequence and marked as a SNP.


All together, four exons of IGF-1 gene were ampli�ied generating amplicons of sizes 607, 454, 518 and 671 bp. However, the actual sizes of exons were 262, 160, 182 and 2 2 1 b p ( N C B I ; G e n e I D 2 8 1 2 3 7 ; h t t p : / / www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/). The four numbers of expressed regions of bovine IGF-1 gene sequenced in the present study, based on NCBI website, concurred with �indings of Francis et al. (1986) and Honneger and Humbel, (1986). The SNPs found in the nucleotide sequences of expressed regions among the south Indian cattle breeds and Bos taurus cattle are presented in Table 3. The genotype and gene frequencies of SNPs obtained through population genetic analysis are tabulated in Table 4. In exon 1, the allele frequencies of 'A' allele at SNP positions g.213 and g.244 were 15.00 percent and 11.92 percent respectively. Whereas, the frequencies of SNPs 3, 4, 5 and 6 were less than 10 per cent. Moreover, all the three possible genotypes were also observed in the huge number of samples screened for genotyping of SNPs. In general, the alleles 'A' and 'T' were found replacing the other alleles in the SNPs detected. The exon 1 (1 to 262 nucleotide) was

ampli�ied along with -89 bases upstream and +256 bases down the exon which forms the part of second intron. Two polymorphisms detected in this region were g. 213G>A (transition) and g. 244C>A (transversion); the former (g.213 G>A) resulted in a non-synonymous variation and latter (g. 244 C>A) resulted in a nonsense mutation. The consequence of g.244 C>A would be the termination of protein, since this region with 42 nucleotides could only code for 14 amino acids as against 154 amino acids by the normal IGF-1 gene. The variation of g. 244C>A ensuing a stop codon was also detected in Kangayam cattle, which is an excellent draught breed of south India. No phenotypic difference was found in animals harbouring this SNP that resulted in premature termination of this protein. This could be explained by the heterozygous nature at this locus and possibility of differential expression levels of

bovine IGF-1 gene as class 1 and class 2 mRNAs (Wang et al., 2003). The second exon of 160 bp was ampli�ied and a variation at position g. 4827G>A (transition) was observed. However, this variation was synonymous and it did not result in any amino acid change. Presence or absence of this mutation will not change the functional property of the gene, even though such variations have been detected in Bargur, Ongole and Pullikulum cattle. On the contrary, three different mutations were detected by Gao et al. (2009) who sequenced the bovine IGF-1 gene and analysed a 357 bp fragment of exon 2 in Chinese beef cattle. Two mutations of A-to-G transition at positions 3620 bp and 3842 bp and one C-to-T transitions at 3628 bp were observed. The mutations at 3620 and 3628 were non-sense mutations; whereas the mutation at 3842 resulted in change of amino acid ('Glutamic acid' to 'Glycine'). The third exon, which was highly polymorphic, exhibited three variations at position g. 56233G>A (transition), g. 56317G>T (transversion) and g. 56354A>T

Locus

(Position Bos taurus Bos indicus Type of variation

in bp) Bargur Hallikar Kangayam Ongole Pulikulum Umblachery

Exon 1

213 G AG AG AG AG AG AG Non-synonymous

(Ser to Asn)

244 C AC AC AC AC AC AC Protein terminated

Exon 2

4827 G AG AG AG AG AG AG Synonymous (Glu)

Exon 3

56233 G AG AG AG AG AG AG Non-synonymous

(Arg to Lys)

56317 G GT GT GT GT GT GT Non-synonymous

(Lys to Asn)

56354 A AT AT AT AT AT AT Non-synonymous

(Met to Leu)

Table 3. SNPs found in expressed regions of IGF-1 gene between Bos taurus and Bos indicus cattle

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(transversion). All these variations resulted in non-synonymous changes in the amino acid sequence of IGF-1. The coding domain of exon 3 codes for 28 amino acids; of which, three amino acids are changed. The �irst variation, which caused the change in amino acid from 'Arginine' to 'Lysine' is replacement of basic amino acid with a basic one; the second change from 'Lysine' to 'Asparagine' is a replacement of basic with neutral; and the third change from 'Methionine' to 'Leucine' is a replacement of neutral with neutral type of amino acid. Though, Hallikar and Ongole exhibited no variation in sequence at position g. 56233, they seem to differ in the nucleotide sequences from the rest of Bos indicus breeds (Bargur, Kangayam, Pullikulum and Umblachery) of Tamil Nadu. Similarity in sequences of fourth exon between Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle indicates that this region is highly conserved across different breeds of these two bovine species. There was no earlier study pertaining to exon 3 and exon 4 in bovines. But two mutations were reported in exon 4 of caprine IGF-1 by Wang et al. (2011) in Chinese goat breeds (Xinjiang, Bogeda Cashmere and Nanjiang Cashmere

goats), which were of silent in nature.

Overall six SNPs in four exons of IGF – 1 gene were found to be characteristics of Bos indicus cattle. This study is �irst of its kind in India to characterise the IGF-1 gene in Bos indicus cattle and to explore the polymorphisms of IGF-1 gene involved in the main metabolic pathway related to physical performance of draught cattle. A candidate gene approach would pave the way for selecting animals with better draught quality, i.e. selection based on molecular tool. Further, it will also help in implementing rational decisions for conservation and improvement of our treasured genetic resources.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors are thankful to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi for the �inancial assistance provided to the Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai under the scheme 'Core Laboratory' functioning through National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal.

Locus Genotype Cattle breeds and genotype frequency

(position in bp)

Bargur Hallikar Kangayam Ongole Pulikulum Umblachery

Exon 1

213 GA 0.40 0.00 0.25 0.33 0.40 0.60

GG 0.60 1.00 0.75 0.66 0.60 0.40

244 CA 0.20 0.00 0.66 0.33 0.20 0.20

CC 0.80 1.00 0.33 0.66 0.80 0.80

Exon 2

4827 GA 0.37 0.37 0.00 0.20 0.50 0.00

GG 0.62 0.62 1.00 0.80 0.50 1.00

Exon 3

56233 GA 0.57 0.00 0.50 0.00 0.57 1.00

GG 0.42 1.00 0.50 1.00 0.42 0.00

56317 GT 0.57 0.00 0.25 0.00 0.57 0.66

TT 0.42 1.00 0.75 1.00 0.42 0.33

56354 AT 0.42 0.00 0.25 0.00 0.42 0.66

TT 0.57 1.00 0.75 1.00 0.57 0.33

Table 4. Genotype frequency of SNPs in exons of IGF-1 gene among six breeds of south Indian cattle

Figure 1. Chromatogram displaying SNP 6 (56354A>T) of exon 3 in Bos taurus and Bos indicus cattle

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REFERENCES

Bishop MD, Tavakkol A, Threadgill DW, Simmen FA, Simmen RC, Davis ME and Womack JE. 1991. Somatic cell mapping and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of bovine insulin-like growth factor-I. Journal of Animal Science. 69: 4306-4311.

Daughaday WH and Rotwein P, 1989. Insulin-like growth factors I and II, peptide, messenger ribonucleic acid and gene structures, serum and tissue concentrations. Endocrinology Review. 10: 68-92.

Francis G.L, Read LC, Ballard FJ, Bagley CJ, Upton DM, Gravestock PM and Wallace JC. 1986. Puri�ication and partial sequence analysis of insulin-like growth factor-I from bovine colostrums. Journal of Biochemistry. 233: 207.

Gao X, Shi M, Xu X, Li J, Ren H and Xu S. 2009. Sequence variations in the bovine IGF1 and IGFBP3 genes and their associat ion with growth and development traits in Chinese beef cattle. Agricultural Sciences in China. 8(6): 717-722.

GoI (Government of India). 2007. Report of the Working Group on Animal Husbandry and Dairying for the X I F ive -Ye a r P l a n ( 2 0 0 7 - 1 2 ) . P l a n n i n g Commission, New Delhi

Honneger A and Humbel R. 1986. Insulin-like growth factors I and II in fetal and adult bovine serum: p u r i � i c a t i o n , p r i m a r y s t r u c t u r e a n d immunological cross-reactivity. The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 261: 569.

Kostek MC, Delmonico MJ, Reichel JB, Roth SM, Douglass L, Ferrel RE and Hurley BF. 2005. Muscle strength response to strength training is in�luenced by insulin-like growth factor 1 genotype in older

adults. Journal of Applied Physiology. 98: 2147-2154.

thLivestock Census Report, 2012. 19 Livestock Census. Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, New Delhi.

Miller JR, Thomsen PD, Dixon SC, Tucker EM, Konfortov BA and Harbitz I. 1991. Synteny mapping of the bovine IGHG2, CRC and IGF-1 genes. Animal Genetics. 23: 51-58.

Nixon AJ, Brower-Toland BD and Sandell LJ. 1999. Primary nucleotide structure of predominant and alternate splice forms of equine insulin-like growth factor-I and their gene expression patterns in tissues. American Journal of Veterinary Research. 60(10): 1234-1241.

Sambrook JE, Fritsch F andManiatis T. 1989. Molecular cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd Ed. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, New York, USA.

Siadkowska E, Zwierzchowski L, Oprządek J, Strzałkowska N, Bagnicka E and Krzyżewski J. 2006. Effect of polymorphism in IGF-1 gene on production traits in Polish Holstein-Friesian cattle. Animal Science Reports Paper. 24(3): 225-237.

Singh G. (1999). Characters and use of draught animal power in India. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences. 69:621-627

Wang Q, Fang C, Liu WJ, Fang Y and Yu SG. 2011. A novel mutation at exon 4 of IGF-1 gene in three indigenous goat breeds in China. Asian Journal of Animal Veterinary Advances. 6(6): 627-685.

Wang Y, Price SE and Jiang H. 2003. Cloning and characterization of the bovine class 1 and class 2 insulin-like growth factor-I mRNAs. Domestic Animal Endocrinology. 25: 315-328.

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A new methodology for characterization of dog genetic resources of India1

Raja KN*, P K Singh, AK Mishra, I Ganguly and P Devendran National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal-132001 (Haryana) India

ABSTRACT

India with a total of 160 registered breeds of livestock and poultry, also possesses a large number of lesser known/

undocumented/ unde�ined populations of farm animals. In country, there are about eight indigenous dog populations,

which are mainly utilized for guarding of agriculture farm and shepherding. However, due to lack of proper methodology

speci�ic to dog, the characterization of most of populations is remained uncompleted so far. Based on a pilot survey for

Rajapalayam and Chippiparai dog breeds of Tamil Nadu, a survey questionnaire was developed for characterization and

a breed descriptor for documentation of the indigenous dog breeds. Kennel club of India, Chennai has registered few of

the Indian dog breeds including Rajapalayam and Mudhol Hound. However, this newly evolved survey questionnaire and

breed descriptor may be universally used for characterization and documentation of indigenous dog

populations/breeds and may be registered further through breed registration procedure at National level.

Key Words: Biometric traits, dog breeds, phenotypic characterization1Present address: Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai


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INTRODUCTION

India possess 160 registered domestic animal/poultry breeds belonging to cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, camel, horses & ponies, pig and poultry (www.nbagr.res.in). In addition to well defined and documented livestock b r e e d s , t h e r e a r e n u m e r o u s l e s s e r k n o w n population/breeds including dog, which have not been properly characterized and documented, so far. In general, different dog breeds in world are classified based on their utility like protection/guarding, herding, flocking, mountain, companion, fighting, scent, toy etc. In India, some breeds of dogs viz., Caravan Hound, Combai, Chippiparai, Rajapalayam, Rampur Hound, Kanni, Mudhol Hound, Indian Mastiff (Bulli), Himalayan sheep dog, Bhutia dogs (Gandhi, 2010) etc., contributing to the domestic animal biodiversity of our country. Combai, Chippiparai, Rajapalayam and Kanni are the dog breeds of Tamil Nadu (Thiruvenkadan et al., 2012). Indigenous dog breeds are mainly utilized for guarding and shepherding of livestock and agriculture farm, in comparison to exotic breeds, which are reared a fancy and as companion animal at home. Very scanty information is available regarding the phenotypic characters of our indigenous dog breeds and their utility by the livestock keepers. Hence, characterization, documentation and registration of Indian dog genetic resources needs to be undertaken.

METHODOLOGY FOR PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION

Phenotypic characterization is the practice of systematically documenting the observed characteristics, geographical distribution, production environment and utility of these resources (FAO, 2012). It also refers to the process of identifying distinct breed populations and describing their physical, body biometry and production

and reproduction parameters within their native environment including management practices, utility of the animals, as well as social and economic factors such as market orientation, niche-marketing opportunities and gender issues. The phenotypic characterization of dog breeds needs to be started with the delineation of breeding tract of breeds concerned followed by survey for native environment, physical, morphometric, biometric, reproduction parameters and management practices followed and finally the utility of the breed for which it was developed. The information about native environment like altitude, latitude and longitude, annual rainfall, minimum and maximum temperature, humidity, major agriculture crops etc., should be collected during the survey.

Delineation and survey: The breeding tract should be delineated to know about the distribution of the dog breed or population. In survey of Rajapalayam dog, Virudhunagar district Tamil Nadu was delineated as breeding tract of that dog (Raja et al., 2013), although the dogs were also available with kennels and private breeders also. Once the breeding tract is known the survey has to be conducted in the densely populated area. The breeding tracts may be given in terms of name of places along with approximate area of distribution in square kilometers.

General information: The general information like breeder/owner name, family members involved in rearing/taking care the dogs, since when the breed is known, age of the animal etc., should be collected during the survey. Age of the animal can be estimated either through the pedigree information available with the breeders (if the animal is registered with Kennel Club) or

A C

B D

E

FG

IH J K

L

Figure. 1. Various biometric measurements of dog (Sutter et al. 2008).

12 3

X

WV

UT

S

M

N O

PQ

R

through dentition of the animal.

Physical traits: Canine breeds are well differentiated through physical traits. The physical traits which are to be recorded for canine breed identification includes, body size, coat color, skin color, hair length, head shape, size, eye color and shape, ear length, shape and orientation; top line, tail shape, abdomen, teat numbers, nail numbers etc. The details are given in the breed descriptor format and breed survey questionnaire.

The body size of dogs can be classified as small, medium and large; coat color indicates the color of the hair which may be single or mixed colors; whereas, skin color indicates the color of the skin and both the traits may be different in any breed. For example, Rajapalayam dog of south India had pink skin with white coat color (Raja et al. 2014). The hair length may be small, medium or long. Head shape of dogs may be straight, trapezoid or wedge; with straight, concave or convex nasal bridge and short or long snout. Head shape ranges from the long-headed dogs, called "dolichocephalic" (Afghan hound or the Greyhound), broader wide-skulled dogs called "brachycephalic" (Pug or French Bulldog) and "mesocephalic" (sometimes called "mesaticephalic"), as in Golden Retriever or the Beagle (Stone et al. 2016). The muzzle, nostrils and nose may be pigmented or non-pigmented. The eyes can be classified as brown, black or

golden in color. The ears can be defined based on its length viz., short, medium, long; based on shape like, round, flat or tubular; based on orientation like straight, semi-dropping and dropping. It is a myth among the breeders of Chippiparai dog that the animals with straight/erect ears will be always alert, more active and aggressive (Raja et al. 2015). The top line of the dog breeds may be straight or concave; the abdomen may tucked-up, round or complete. The hound type dogs mostly have tucked-up abdomen e.g. Saluki, Grey Hound Whippet etc. whereas, companion dogs, toys breeds usually have round or complete abdomen. The chest may be broad or narrow; hunting dogs usually have broad chest with high lung capacity.

Morphometric traits: The morphometric traits for phenotypic characterization of dog breeds may be considered as per the studies of Sutter et al. (2008) applicable for judging a dog breed. Before starting measurements, the animal should be restrained properly by applying a knot around the snout and make the animal to stand on even ground with squarely placed legs. The various measurements can be recorded using graduated measuring tape and body weight can be recorded by using a digital weighing balance with an accuracy of one or two grams. Following morphometric traits should be recorded for characterization of canine breeds:

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Height at the withers: It is the distance from the ground up to the point where the two shoulder blades meet; measuring tape should not be curved (A-B in figure 1).

Height at base of tail: The distance measured from the floor straight up to the base of the tail i.e. where the coccygeal vertebra meets last sacral vertebra (C-D in figure-1).

Eye width: The distance measured between the inner canthus of the eyes.

Snout length: The distance measured from the tip of nose to just between the eyes, where the inside corners of the eyes meet.

Neck length: The distance measured from boney process on the back of the head down the back of the neck to the point where the shoulder blades meet on the back (G-H) as shown in figure 1.

Body length: It is the distance measured from the point of shoulder blades meet in the middle of the back (withers), down along the spine to where the lumbo-sacral vertebra meets the first coccygeal vertebra (Figure 1; I-J).

Tail length: The distance measured from the base of the tail (first coccygeal vertebra joins with the lumbo-sacral vertebra to the last coccygeal vertebra) to the tip of the tail (the extra hairs at the tip of the tail should not be included) as shown in the figure 1 (K-L). If tail docking is practiced, it needs to be recorded.

Ear length: It is the measurement from the base of the outside of the ear (where it meets the skull) straight up to the tip of the ear and don’t include hairs at the tip of the ear. If ear cropping is done, it needs to be recorded with any specific reason for the practice.

Ear width: The measurement made at widest part of the ear perpendicular to orientation of the ear or the measure of length.

Neck girth: It is the measurement of the circumference or distance all the way around the neck (Figure 1; circle 1).

Chest girth: It is the circumference around the deepest part of the chest located just behind the foreleg (Figure 1; circle 2).

Paunch girth: It is the circumference around the abdomen measured just before the hind limb (Figure 1; circle 3). This measurement shall indicate the abdomen shape like, tucked-up, round and complete.

Hind foot length (Metatarsals): On the hind foot starting from the inside of the body count 3 toes out, and measure underneath the foot from the tip of the toe (the claw or fur should not be included in the measurement) to the hock (this is the boney projection off the back of the heel, W-X). For this lift the dog’s foot off the ground. Measurement should be made on both the right and left feet.

Lower hind leg length (Tibia): The measurement made from the hock (heel, as in hind foot length) to the knee cap (Figure 1; U-V). Both the right and left legs should be

measured.

Upper hind leg length: The maximum length measured from the knee cap to where the base of the tail meets the body i.e. up to last sacrum and first coccygeal vertebra meets (Figure 1; S-T), measurement should done on both the legs.

Fore foot length (Metacarpals): Measurement of the maximum length from the wrist bone to the end of the claw based third digit of the foot counting from inside out (the claw or fur should not be included in the measurement). The animal’s foot has to be lifted off the ground to take this measurement, same procedure to be followed in right and left leg (Figure 1; Q-R).

Lower fore leg length (Radius): Measure from the wrist bone (as in fore foot length) to the elbow joint. Measure both the right and left legs (Figure 1; O-P).

Upper fore leg length (Humerus): Measure the maximum length from the elbow joint to the shoulder point most prominent in the chest (head of the humerus). The shoulder bones are the same bones used to measure chest width. Measure both right and left upper legs (Figure 1; M-N).

Body weight: The body weight should be recorded by using a weighing balance with minimum error. Digital balance with accuracy to weigh 1 or 10 grams may be used.

Reproduction traits: The reproduction traits in dogs needs to be recorded through personal interview with the dog owner as per survey questionnaire and also through the pedigree record, if the individual dog is registered in kennel club. The reproduction traits considered for characterization of dog breeds (for the bitches) includes, age at first estrous, duration of estrous, major and minor breeding season, age at first mating, gestation length, age at first whelping, litter size, age at weaning, whelping interval, number of whelping, life time litter production, litter mortality and longevity of the animal. In case of males (dogs) age at first mating, number of years in service etc., should be collected.

Information on management: Recording various information on management practices includes housing, feeding, breeding and health aspects of the dog breed. Type of housing provided to the animal, area per animal available, floor of the animal house, any special bedding material provided etc. should be collected housing management. Similarly, under feeding management recording type of food provided, quantity of food, frequency of feeding, utensils used for providing food, quantity and frequency of water provided to the animal etc. should be included. The information about deworming and vaccination, vaccination schedule, type of vaccines used against specific disease etc. needs to be collected. The information on other common diseases affected, bathing of the animal, type of soap/shampoo used for bathing, frequency of bathing, nail trimming, hair

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grooming etc. should also be incorporated.

Utility: The utility of dog breed needs to be recorded in the survey questionnaire through interview with the farmer/breeder.

Genetic diversity analysis

The study unraveling the genetic basis of phenotypes and their inheritance from generation to generation and to establish relationships between breeds are referred to as molecular genetic characterization, which is complementary to phenotypic characterization (FAO, 2011). Genetic characterization of dog breeds can be done through microsatellite markers diversity analysis. International Society for Animal Genetics and Breeding has provided list of microsatellite markers which can used for genetic diversity study among the exotic dog breeds. There has not been separate set of markers developed for microsatellite diversity of Indian dog breeds. Using the reported set of markers, it is possible to study the diversity in Indian dog (unpublished data).

However, it is also possible to develop new set of markers specific to Indian dog breeds, to have high utility in vetro-legal cases.

Kennel Club of India (KCI), Chennai has started registering the Indian dog breeds. The single dog registration and litter registration are being done by KCI, Chennai along with three to five generation of pedigree. The indigenous breeds are being registered by KCI, Chennai includes Rajapalayam (Tamil Nadu) and Mudhol Hound (Karnataka) dog breeds of southern India. However, Indian Council of Agricultural Research under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, a recognized body for registration of indigenous livestock and poultry breed, has yet to incorporate registration of dog breeds as followed for other livestock and poultry. It is appropriate time that the indigenous dog breeds needs to be characterized, documented scientifically and registered at National level to benefit the farmers and kennel clubs rearing the indigenous dogs.

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SURVEY PROFORMA ON INDIAN DOG BREEDS

Schedule -1 General Information and Management Practices

Name of the Farmer/breeder__________________ Code: ___________ Date: ____________

Village_________________________ Block: __________________ District: ____________

Family Size: Total: ____________ Male ____________ Female ______________ Literate ____________

No. of Animals: Dog:__________Cattle _______ Buffalo _________ Goats __________ Fowl ________Others_______

Dog: Total _______ Bitch_______ Dog ____________ Pups _________

breed ____________ ND ___________

Income: Land ________ Sale of pups_________ Sale of adult______________ Both _________

Any other ____________ Land holding __________

A. GENERAL DESCRIPTION

1. Name of the breed

2. Synonyms for breed name

3. Background for such a name/origin

4. The breed is known since-------- years

5. Grouping based on utility of the breed (Guarding/Shepherding/herding/sporting/toy/working/others)

6. a. Communities responsible for developing the breed

b. Description of community (Farmers/nomads/isolated/tribals)

7. Kennel club registered (Yes/No)

8. Information about native environment: Altitude, latitude and longitude, district, state etc.,

B. BEHAVIOURAL CHARACTERS

1. Behaviour (excited/aggressive/play full/bold/docile)

2. Temperament (active/ dull)

3. Herding behavior (giving eye/stacking/chasing)

4. Obedience (very good/good/disobedience)

5. Trainability (easy/difficult)

6. Barking (low pitch/medium pitch/high pitch)

7. Behaviour with stranger (polite/attacks/barks)

C. MANAGEMENT

1. Housing (separate/part of the owners house)

2. Design of housing (katcha housing/pacca housing/katcha floor/pacca floor)

3. Exercise (walking/running) Duration (hrs) Time (M/E)

4. Feeding

a. Food preference -

b. Frequency of feeding (twice/thrice/no restriction)

c. Feeding schedule -

S. No. Items Quantity Morning Noon Evening

d. Utensils used for feeding -

5. Bath & combing/grooming

a. Materials used for bathing -

b. frequency of bathing -

c. cloth used after bath drying -

91


d. materials used for combing/grooming -

e. frequency of combing/grooming -

6. Nail cutting practised (yes/no) if yes

a. frequency of nail cutting -

7. Restraining of the animal

a. easy to restrain (yes/no)

b. appliances used for restraining -

c. animal is kept tied always/ left loose -

8. Bedding (yes/no) if yes

a. type of bedding material used -

b. ventilation of the room -

9. Disease prevalence & prophylactic measures

a. Disease prevailing -

b. Vaccination schedule -

c. Deworming -

10. Utility

1. Shepherding/guarding/herding ability

2. Any other information specific to the breed

11. Any other information

Schedule-II Physical traits & Reproduction Performance

Trait/animal no./owners code

AGE/Sex

Coat Colour

Body colour

Hair length (S/M/L)

Head

Shape (straight/trapezoid/wedge)

Size (S/M/L)

Fore head (normal/prominent)

Nasal bridge

(Straight/convex/concave)

Snout (small/medium/long)

Muzzle colour

(Black/brown/greyish)

Nose colour

(Pink/black/brown)

Nostrils

(Pigmented/non- pigmented)

Eyes

Colour

(Red/black/white/golden)

Shape

(Oval/round)

Ears

Length (short/medium/long)

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Orientation

(horizontal/drooping)

Shape

(Round/flat/tubular)

Ear cropping

(Yes/no)

Body size (small/medium/large)

Top line

(Straight/concave)

Chest

(Broad/narrow)

Abdomen/belly

(tucked-up/round/complete)

Tail shape

(Straight/semi -curved/curved/coiled)

Nail no.

Colour

Size

No. of teats in female

AFO (months)

Estrus cycle length

AFM-Males (months

AFM- Females

Main Breeding Season

Duration of estrus

Age at first Whelping

Whelping interval

Litter size

Age at weaning

Sire Dam Age/DOB Sex Height at Height at Body Chest Paunch Head Snout Head Neck Neck

Withers base of tail Length girth Girth Width Length Length Length Girth

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BREED DESCRIPTOR FOR REGISTRATION OF DOG GENETIC RESOURCES

I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION

1. Name of the breed

2. Synonyms

3. Background for such a name/origin

4. The breed is known since

5. Group (Guarding/Shepherding/herding/sporting/toy/working)

6. a. Native tract of distribution in terms of longitude and latitude

b. Approximate area of distribution (sq km)

c. Place(s) State District

7. Estimated population

a. Year of estimation

b. Population

c. Source / Reference

8. a. Communities responsible for developing the breed

b. Description of community (Farmers/nomads/isolated/tribals)

9. Kennel club registered (Yes/No)

10. Utility of the breed (Shepherding/Guarding/Herding)

11. Herding (giving eye/stacking/chasing)

12. Temperament (Active/ Dull)

13. Behaviour (excited/aggressive/play full/bold)


II. MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

1. Obedience (very good/good/disobedience)

2. Trainability (easy/difficult)

3. Barking (low pitch/medium pitch/high pitch)

4. Behaviour with stranger (polite/attacks/barks)

5. Exercise (walking/running) Duration (hrs) Time (M/E)

6. Feeding

a. Food preference (Veg/non-veg type/both)

b. Frequency of feeding (M/N/E)

c. Mode of feeding (on the floor/special utensils)

7. Housing (separate/part of the owners house)

8. Design of housing (katcha housing/pacca housing/katcha floor/pacca floor)

9. Disease prevalence & prophylactic measures

a. Disease prevailing

b. Vaccination schedule

c. Deworming

III. PHYSICAL CHARACTERS

Male Female

2. Coat colour

3. Body colour

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4. Hair length (Small/ Medium/ Long)

5. Head

a. Shape (straight/trapezoid /wedge)

b. Size (Small/ Medium/ Large)

c. Fore head (Normal / Prominent)

d. Nasal bridge (straight/convex/concave)

e. Snout (small/medium/long)

f. Muzzle colour (black/brown/greyish)

g. Nose colour (pink/black/brown)

h. Nostrils (pigmented/non-pigmented)

6. Eyes

a. Colour (red/black/white/golden)

b. Shape (oval/round)

6. Ears

a. Length (short/medium/long)

b. Orientation (horizontal/drooping)

c. Shape (round/flat/tubular)

d. Cropped (yes/no) If no

7. Body size(Small/ Medium/ Large)

8. Top line (straight/concave)

9. Chest (broad/ narrow)

10. Abdomen/belly (tucked up/ round/complete)

11. Tail docking (yes/no)

12. Tail shape (straight/semi-curved/curved/coiled)

13. Number of teats


IV. MORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERS/REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE

. Body weights (kg) and measurements (cm)

Parameter Male Female

Average Range Average Range

Birth weight

Adult weight

Height at the Withers

Head Width

Snout Length

Head Length

Neck Length

Body Length

Tail Length

Neck Girth

Chest Girth

Paunch Girth

Hind Foot Length Right

Left

Lower Hind Leg Length Right

Left

Upper Hind Leg Length Right

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Left

Fore Foot Length Right

Left

Lower Fore leg Length Right

Left

Upper Fore leg Length Right

Left

Reproduction Average Range N

a. Age at first mating in males (mo)

b. Age at first mating in females (mo)

c. Age at first Oestruos (mo)

d. Oestruos cycle length (mo)

e. Main breeding/whelping season (Seasonality)

e. Duration of oestrus (days)

f. Age at first whelping (mo)

g. Whelping interval (mo)

h. litter size

V. UTILITY

1. Shepherding/guarding/herding ability

2. Utilized for

Species Breeds

3. Any other information specific to the breed

Source:

REFERENCES

FAO. 2011. Molecular genetic characterization of animal genetic resources. FAO Animal Production and Health Guidelines. No. 9. Rome.

FAO. 2012. Phenotypic characterization of animal genetic resources. FAO animal production and health guidelines no. 11. Rome.

Gandhi M. 2010. Breeds of Dog in India. The Bihar Times (epub: http://www.bihartimes.in /Maneka/ BreedsofdoginIndia.HTML dated 11/12/2010).

Raja KN. 2013. Rajapalayam Dog Breed. Breed Saviour Awards. Livestock Keepers’ Profile, pp-59-61.

Raja KN, Singh PK, Mishra AK, Ganguly I, Devendran P, Saravanan R, Kathirvel S and Srinivasan G. 2014. Characterization of Rajapalayam Dog breed- An unexplored Canine Genetic Resource of India. In the proceedings of National Conference of SOCDAB at NBAGR, Karnal. pp: 101.

Raja KN, Singh PK, Mishra AK, Ganguly I, Devendran P, Saravanan R and Kathirvel S. 2015. Characterization

of Chippiparai Dog breed- An unexplored Canine Genetic Resource of India. In the proceedings of international conference on “Sustainable Management of Animal genetic Resources for Livelihood security in Developing Countries”, Madras Veterinary College. pp: 75.

Stone HR, McGreevy PD, Starling MJ and Forkman B. 2016. Associations between Domestic-Dog Morphology and Behaviour Scores in the Dog Mentality Assessment . PLoS ONE 11(2): e0149403. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0149403.

Sutter, N. B., Mosher, D. S., Gray, M. M., & Ostrander, E. A. 2008. Morphometrics within dog breeds are highly reproducible and dispute Rensch’s rule. Mammalian Genome�: Official Journal of the International Mammalian Genome Society, 19(10-12): 713–723.

Thiruvenkadan, A. K, Ravimurugan, T, Devendran, P and Sivakumar, K. 2012. Dog Breeds of Tamil Nadu. A leaflet published by Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

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CORRIGENDUM

Revised version Volume 6 No. 1 (2016)

The following provides a description of the changes made to the publication since the original version was printed.

Page 11:

In the second paragraph, the following text appears:

"The distribution area of the breed lies between 160 to 200N latitude and 720 to 780E longitude."

This should read:

0 0 0 0"The distribution area of of the breed lies between 16 to 20 N latitude and 72 to 78 E longitude."

Page 12:

In Figure 1, the following text appears as figure's caption:

"Distributor Area of Lonard Sheep"

This should read:

"Distribution Area of Lonand Sheep"

97





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