Genetics and Heritability

By: Collette Cason

The bovine species surprisingly holds a rare

relationship with humans. In some cultures cattle raising were an

indication of power and strength. They did not know much about the history of

genetics in cattle, and still do not know much.

History

For the last 10 years across the world they

have switched from Profit Index (know) to Profitable Lifetime Index (know).

Cloning, and the most common way of cloning is SCNT, which stands for somatic cell nuclear transfer. It basically increases the production level with the desirable traits that the breeder or breeders have bought or picked.

Present Day

Cross breeding certain cattle enough to get

one dominate feature such as Holstein are used for there significant milk production.

In 1990, started using DNA and molecular cloning for creating genome linkage maps. With these maps scientist could identify chromosomal locations of (OTI) (know!!).

From the past 10 years they have become more modified in molecular genetics. Like they can alternate precise genotypes in thousands.

Techniques

The Gould Ranch of Fort Morgan, Colorado

ultrasounds all of their bulls and heifers. They use this technique to see what superior carcass features have developed in the cattle over the years and to see what they need to do differently the next time they breed.

Other options are embryo transfer and AI work. This allows you to pick a bull from where ever and not worry about traveling and still get exactly what you want for a low price and quick shipment.

Techniques Continued

Spinal Muscular Atrophy – This disease is

usually found in brown European cattle breeds. Its fast acting, and causes horrible weak legs.

Spinal Dysmielination - affects mainly brown cattle breeders, affects the rear end in weakness.

Bovine progressive Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy (“Weaver Syndrome”). The disease cripples the hind legs, and then soon makes cattle not able to walk.

Diseases

Spastic Paresis – This disease is caused by the

“hyperextension of the rear limbs or straight hock. (Makes it painful and difficult to walk, they act stiff)

Spastic Syndrome – caused from sire bulls in Artificial insemination , affects all breeds, intermittent bilateral spasms of the skeletal muscles of the pelvis girdle.

Craniofacial defects such as: Deformed cleft lip and/or cleft plate.

Diseases Continued

Chondrodysplasia and Congenital Paunch Calf

Syndrome - Chondrodysplasia is poor bone development, most commonly from Italy as “Bulldog calf” (Flat head, short nose, sloping forehead, and short and stump limbs. Affects calves.

Complex Vertebral Malformation- Most worried disease to Holstein breeder. The spinal system is basically grown all out of place. The spine has grown incorrect and out of place, causing other limbs to not grow correct either.

Diseases Continued

What to Expect

Weaver Syndrome

Spastic Paresis

Spastic Syndrome

Cleft Lip

Chondrodysplasia and Congenital Paunch Calf Syndrome.

Complex Vertebral Malformation

ftp://

ftpaipl.arsusda.gov/pub/curtvt/hapmap/bovhapmap-V37.pdf

http://www.animalbehavioronline.com/qtl.html http://

www2.vet.unibo.it/staff/Gentile/Lavori%20scientifici/Slovenian%20veterinary%20Research.pdf

http://www.cattletoday.com/archive/2008/April/CT1529.shtml

http://www.thecattlesite.com/articles/2917/using-pli-to-breed-for-profit

Bibliography

http://img.tfd.com/vet/thumbs/gr53.jpg

Bibliography Continued