scholarly journals Holstein Friesian dairy cattle edited for diluted coat color as adaptation to climate change

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Laible ◽  
S-A. Cole ◽  
B. Brophy ◽  
J. Wei ◽  
S. Leath ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Coat Color ◽  
Dilution Effect ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
White Coat ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
The Impact

AbstractHigh-producing Holstein Friesian dairy cattle have a characteristic black and white coat pattern where black frequently comprises a large proportion of the coat. Compared to a light coat color, black absorbs more solar radiation translating into radiative heat gain which is a contributing factor to heat stress in cattle, negatively impacting on their production levels, fertility and welfare. To better adapt dairy cattle to the rapidly changing climatic conditions with predictions for more frequent and prolonged hot temperature patterns, we aimed to lighten their coat color by genome editing. Using gRNA/Cas9-mediated editing, we introduced a three base pair (bp) deletion in the pre-melanosomal protein 17 gene (PMEL) proposed as the causative variant responsible for the semi-dominant color dilution phenotype seen in Galloway and Highland cattle. Calves generated from cells homozygous for the edited mutation revealed a strong color dilution effect. Instead of the characteristic black and white coat color patterning of control calves generated from unedited parental cells, the edited calves displayed a novel pattern of grey and white markings and absence of any black areas. This, for the first time, verified the causative nature of the PMEL mutation for diluting the black coat color in cattle. With these edited animals, it is now possible to dissect the effects of the introgressed edit and other interfering allelic variants that might exist in individual cattle and accurately determine the impact of only the three bp change on important health, welfare and production traits. In addition, our study proved targeted editing as a promising approach for the rapid adaptation of livestock to changing climatic conditions.

scholarly journals Holstein Friesian dairy cattle edited for diluted coat color as a potential adaptation to climate change

BMC Genomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Laible ◽  
S.-A. Cole ◽  
B. Brophy ◽  
J. Wei ◽  
S. Leath ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Coat Color ◽  
Dilution Effect ◽  
White Coat ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Coat Pattern ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time

Abstract Background High-producing Holstein Friesian dairy cattle have a characteristic black and white coat, often with large proportions of black. Compared to a light coat color, black absorbs more solar radiation which is a contributing factor to heat stress in cattle. To better adapt dairy cattle to rapidly warming climates, we aimed to lighten their coat color by genome editing. Results Using gRNA/Cas9-mediated editing, we introduced a three bp deletion in the pre-melanosomal protein 17 gene (PMEL) proposed as causative variant for the semi-dominant color dilution phenotype observed in Galloway and Highland cattle. Calves generated from cells with homozygous edits revealed a strong color dilution effect. Instead of the characteristic black and white markings of control calves generated from unedited cells, the edited calves displayed a novel grey and white coat pattern. Conclusion This, for the first time, verified the causative nature of the PMEL mutation for diluting the black coat color in cattle. Although only one of the calves was healthy at birth and later succumbed to a naval infection, the study showed the feasibility of generating such edited animals with the possibility to dissect the effects of the introgressed edit and other interfering allelic variants that might exist in individual cattle and accurately determine the impact of only the three bp change.

scholarly journals A Comprehensive Analysis of Runs of Homozygosity of Eleven Cattle Breeds Representing Different Production Types

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1024 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomasz Szmatoła ◽  
Artur Gurgul ◽  
Igor Jasielczuk ◽  
Tomasz Ząbek ◽  
Katarzyna Ropka-Molik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Frequency ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Runs Of Homozygosity ◽  
White Variety ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Cattle Breeds ◽  
Hereford Cattle ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Genomic Inbreeding ◽  
The Impact

In the presented research, BovineSNP50 microarrays (Illumina) were applied to determine runs of homozygosity in the genomes of 11 cattle breeds maintained in Poland. These cattle breeds represent three basic utility types: milk, meat and dual purpose. Analysis of runs of homozygosity allowed the evaluation of the level of autozygosity within each breed in order to calculate the genomic inbreeding coefficient (FROH), as well as to identify regions of the genome with a high frequency of ROH occurrence, which may reflect traces of directional selectin left in their genomes. Visible differences in the length and distribution of runs of homozygosity in the genomes of the analyzed cattle breeds have been observed. The highest mean number and mean sums of lengths of runs of homozygosity were characteristic for Hereford cattle and intermediate for the Holstein-Friesian Black-and-White variety, Holstein-Friesian Red-and-White variety, Simmental, Limousin, Montbeliarde and Charolais breeds. However, lower values were observed for cattle of conserved breeds. Moreover, the selected livestock differed in the level of inbreeding estimated using the FROH coefficient. In regions of the genome with a high frequency of ROH occurrence, which may reflect the impact of directional selection, a number of genes were observed that can be potentially related to the production traits which are under selection pressure for specific production types. The most important detected genes were GHR, MSTN, DGAT1, FABP4, and TRH, with a known influence on the milk and meat traits of the studied cattle breeds.

Instant Insights: Heat stress in dairy cattle

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Smallholder Dairy ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Economic Constraints ◽  
The Impact

This specially curated collection features four reviews of current and key research on heat stress in dairy cattle. The first chapter outlines technologies to breed for more heat tolerant dairy cattle, exploiting either between or within breed genetic variation in the trait. It discusses future perspectives on the use of different tools to achieve accelerated improvements of this important trait. The second chapter discusses breeding goals and multi-trait selection to balance production and non-production traits. It considers newer breeding objectives such as ensuring that cattle can adapt to a changing climate, including breeding for heat tolerance. The third chapter reviews challenges facing smallholder dairy farmers in Asia. These include the impact of high temperatures and humidity on milk yield, reproductive efficiency and animal health. The chapter places these challenges in the context of the broader economic constraints faced by smallholders and how they can be overcome. The final chapter highlights constraints in improving smallholder dairy production in Sub-Saharan Africa. Issues include developing breeds balancing yield with resilience to local climatic conditions. The chapter reviews ways of Improving breeding and productivity, as well as broader organisational support.

scholarly journals Age at first conception of high yielding cows

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 1043-1050 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Novakovic ◽  
Lj. Sretenovic ◽  
S. Aleksic ◽  
M.M. Petrovic ◽  
V. Pantelic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Accurate Evaluation ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
High Production ◽  
Fertility Traits

Black and White low land dairy cattle have very pronounced ability for high production of milk. Fertility is the major trait of cattle and key factor in successful milk production. Fertility traits have pronounced variability and low heritability value. Fertility is regularly limiting factor in attempts to increase the milk yield. Age of dairy cattle at first conception is one of the major reproduction properties. Age of calves at first calving depends mainly on age at first conception. Previous researches have indicated what would be the optimum age at first conception of Black and White heifers. Age at first conception is determined by the date of birth and date of first conception. Knowledge of the strength of the environment factors on age at first conception in high yielding cows is important from the aspect of their inclusion into the model. According to the significance of individual systematic factors, their objective assessment was carried out for the purpose of accurate evaluation of obtained results. Objective of this paper is to study the age at first conception of high yielding Black and white cows through major systematic influences, by applying adequate methodology. Cows comprising the studied sample (n=331) belong to European type of Black and White dairy cattle in final stage of improving of this breed with Holstein-Friesian breed. Average age of dairy cattle at first conception was 491.19?9.36 days or 16.15?0.31 months. According to cows? the values were following: 479.31 days (> 73% HF), 486.12 days (58-73%HF) and 508.14 days (< 58% HF).

CATHL2 gene polymorphism in relation to production traits in Holstein-Friesian cows

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-30
Author(s):  
Sonia Hiller ◽  
Inga Kowalewska-Łuczak ◽  
Ewa Czerniawska-Piątkowska
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Gene Polymorphism ◽  
Somatic Cell Count ◽  
The Other ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Potential Association ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Pcr Rflp ◽  
Friesian Cows

The aim of this study was to identify SNPs mutations in the CATHL2 gene and determine their potential association with dairy performance traits in Polish Black-and-White Holstein-Friesian (phf) cows. Genotypes of individuals were identified by PCR-RFLP. The frequencies of CATHL2/DdeI alleles were C ‒ 0.693 and T ‒ 0.307, and for CATHL2/HhaI polymorphisms, G ‒ 0.763 and C ‒ 0.237. The statistical analysis showed that cows with the CC (CATHL2/DdeI) and CG (CATHL2/HhaI) genotype produced higher milk yield than the other cattle genotypes. In the case of CATHL2/DdeI and CATHL2/HhaI polymorphisms, the highest somatic cell count was found in heterozygous CT and CG cows.

Possible relationship between IGF-1/SnaBI genotypes and milk yield of Holstein-Friesian cows

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 35-41
Author(s):  
Małgorzata WASIELEWSKA ◽  
Iwona SZATKOWSKA
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Quality Characteristics ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Performance Parameters ◽  
Milk Traits ◽  
White Variety ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Milk Performance ◽  
Friesian Cows

The correlation between polymorphisms in the IGF-1 gene and production traits in beef cattle is well known. The effect of insulin-like growth factor on the value of milk traits is not yet adequately understood. The aim of the study was to attempt to describe the effect of IGF-1/SnaBI substitution on selected milk performance parameters of the Black-and-White variety of Holstein-Friesian cows. Three genotypes were identified: CC, CT and TT. The results showed a correlation between IGF-1/SnaBI genotypes and milk yield (highest for CC homozygotes and lowest for CT heterozygotes). No relationship could be established between the genotype and the quality characteristics of milk.

Climate Change Impacts and Adaptations: New Challenges for the Wine Industry

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalie Ollat ◽  
Jean-Marc Touzard ◽  
Cornelis van Leeuwen
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Change Impacts ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Wine Industry ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
Wine Quality ◽  
Wine Production ◽  
Wine Making ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

AbstractClimate change will have a profound effect on vine growing worldwide. Wine quality will also be affected, which will raise economic issues. Possible adaptations may result from changes in plant material, viticultural techniques, and the wine-making process. Relocation of vineyards to cooler areas and increased irrigation are other options, but they may result in potential conflicts for land and water use. Grapes are currently grown in many regions around the world, and growers have adapted their practices to the wide range of climatic conditions that can be found among or inside these areas. This knowledge is precious for identifying potential adaptations to climate change. Because climate change affects all activities linked to wine production (grape growing, wine making, wine economics, and environmental issues), multidisciplinary research is needed to guide growers to continue to produce high-quality wines in an economical and environmentally sustainable way. An example of such an interdisciplinary study is the French LACCAVE (long-term adaptation to climate change in viticulture and enology) project, in which researchers from 23 institutes work together on all issues related to the impact of climate change on wine production. (JEL Classifications: Q1, Q5)

scholarly journals The geochemistry of upland ponds, Taylor Valley, Antarctica

2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Berry Lyons ◽  
Kathleen A. Welch ◽  
Christopher B. Gardner ◽  
Chris Jaros ◽  
Daryl L. Moorhead ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Weathering ◽  
Dilution Effect ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Primary Control ◽  
Dry Valleys ◽  
Stream Channels ◽  
Taylor Valley ◽  
Free Region ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica are the largest ice-free region on the continent. These valleys contain numerous water bodies that receive seasonal melt from glaciers. For forty years, research emphasis has been placed on the larger water bodies, the permanent ice-covered lakes. We present results from the first study describing the geochemistry of ponds in the higher elevations of Taylor Valley. Unlike the lakes at lower elevations, the landscape on which these ponds lie is among the oldest in Taylor Valley. These upland ponds wax and wane in size depending on the local climatic conditions, and their ionic concentrations and isotopic composition vary annually depending on the amount of meltwater generated and their hydrologic connectivity. This study evaluates the impact of changes in summer climate on the chemistry of these ponds. Although pond chemistry reflects the initial meltwater chemistry, dissolution and chemical weathering within the stream channels, and possibly permafrost fluid input, the primary control is the dilution effect of glacier melt during warmer summers. These processes lead to differences in solute concentrations and ionic ratios between ponds, despite their nearby proximity. The change in size of these ponds over time has important consequences on their geochemical behaviour and potential to provide water and solutes to the subsurface.

scholarly journals Associations between <i>Leu/Val</i> polymorphism of growth hormone gene and milk production traits in Black-and-White cattle

2002 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 421-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Dybus
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Growth Hormone Gene ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Milk Production Traits ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Pcr Rflp ◽  
White Cattle

Abstract. Associations between polymorphism of the bovine growth hormone (GH) gene (Leu/Val) and milk production traits of Black-and-White cattle with different proportional share of Holstein Friesian genes were analysed. A total of 1086 cows were included in the study. PCR-RFLP method was used for genotyping. The frequencies of genotypes and alleles were as follows: 0.653 for LL genotype, 0.324 for LV and 0.023 for VV, and 0.815 for GHL and 0.185 for GHV. Associations between Leu/Val polymorphism and milk production traits of cows were found only in first lactation. Cows with LL genotype had higher milk, fat and protein yield compared to LV individuals (P ≤ 0.01).

scholarly journals Phenotypic Dairy Cattle Trait Expressions in Dependency of Social-Ecological Characteristics along Rural–Urban Gradients

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 9021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Pinto ◽  
Tong Yin ◽  
Marion Reichenbach ◽  
Raghavendra Bhatta ◽  
Eva Schlecht ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Subclinical Mastitis ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Phenotypic Trait ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Urban Gradient ◽  
Social Ecological

The aim of the present study was to infer phenotypic trait expressions via mixed modeling considering both social and ecological continuous descriptors simultaneously. In this regard, we selected a challenging heterogeneous social-ecological environment, with focus on the rising megacity Bangalore, located in southern India. Dairy traits from 517 dairy cattle were recorded in 121 herds, equally distributed along a southern and a northern rural–urban gradient of Bangalore, distinguishing between urban, mixed, and rural areas. Repeated records from three visits per herd included production traits (daily milk yield in liter: MY), energy efficiency indicators (body condition score: BCS), cow wellbeing indicators (udder hygiene score: UddHS, upper leg hygiene score: ULHS, hock assessment score: HAS, rectal temperature in °C: RT), and health traits (locomotion score: LS, subclinical mastitis: SubMast). Associations between a continuous rural–urban gradient and phenotypic trait expressions were analyzed via mixed modeling, additionally considering “classic” environmental explanatory variables such as climatic conditions. MY and BCS were higher in urban than in rural areas, associated with reduced SubMast and improved hygiene scores for UddHS and ULHS. Scores for wellbeing indicators HAS and LS were unfavorable for cows in urban areas, indicating poor leg health conditions in that area. In rural areas, least-squares means for RT were quite large, probably due to the scarcity of shading and heat insulation of the barns. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study disentangling phenotypic trait expressions in the context of social-ecological heterogeneity, contributing to a deeper understanding of physiological mechanisms underlying genotype by environment interactions.

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