The Indian Journal of Animal Genetics and Breeding
This journal caters to a wide clientele comprising veterinarians, researchers and students. Articles are included on animal breeding and genetics, biotechnology from India and internationally. The Indian Journal of Animal Genetics and Breeding is one of the most notable scientific journals in Animal Genetics and Breeding being published in India. It is main source of information of original research carried out by our scientists and also serves as a permanent record of scientific research. Indian Journal of Animal Genetics and Breeding.
NIPA GENX ELECTRONIC RESOURCES & SOLUTIONS P LTD
The mithun (Bos frontalis), a unique bovine species of the Eastern Himalayas, remains underutilized and poorly characterized in terms of genetic and phenotypic attributes. This review consolidates current knowledge on the phenotypic diversity of mithun populations both within India across Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Assam and internationally. Distinct morphological traits, management systems, and cultural practices were documented across regional populations, underscoring their evolutionary adaptations and the need for population-specific conservation strategies. Genomic and cytogenetic studies revealed mithun’s close phylogenetic relationship with wild gaur (Bos gaurus), confirmed through mitochondrial DNA analyses and chromosomal configurations, including species-specific Robertsonian translocations. Molecular diversity assessments using microsatellite and highdensity SNP markers highlight moderate genetic variability with minimal substructure but also indicated signs of inbreeding and genetic erosion in isolated populations. The availability of a high-quality de novo genome assembly offered valuable insights into gene content, repetitive elements, and evolutionary divergence from other bovine species. This review emphasized the urgent need for targeted genetic improvement, sustainable breeding practices, and conservation programs. Strategic recommendations include phenotypic and genotypic characterization of distinct populations, formation of mithun federations, development of semi-intensive rearing systems, and international collaboration through a proposed mithun genome consortium. Investing in mithun conservation and improvement offers a viable pathway for enhancing tribal livelihoods, ensuring food and nutritional security, and preserving agro biodiversity in fragile highland ecosystems. As a neglected but invaluable genetic resource, the mithun holds substantial promise for climate-resilient livestock production and sustainable rural development in the Eastern Himalayan region.
Copyright (c) 2025 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher or the copyright holder.
Strategies for enhancing goat improvement in India
Goat production in India has huge impact on socio-economic factors, especially in disadvantageous regions and presents a complex tapestry of challenges and opportunities. There are 39 registered indigenous goat breeds which have immense production potential in given climate provided they get congenial environment. Their optimum potential has not yet expressed due to subsistence production systems and low inputs. While framing breeding strategy for goat improvement traits of local importance should not be ignored. Integrated efforts are required in terms of breeding/genetic improvement, management, health care, marketing and value addition infrastructure particularly to enhance small-scale goat production. Improvement objectives of a breed(s) in different region should be well defined along with breed based package of practices. Management interventions for different farming systems in different regions should be popularized among stakeholders to shift goat farming from extensive to semi-intensive system. Formation of goat breeder’s cooperative/ societies/ buck mother farm/multiplier flocks should be encouraged. Up gradation of non-descript goats should be implemented in big way. At least 2,000 goats of all threatened breeds should be properly tagged and be made part of in-situ conservation programme. Large number of farmers flocks should be involved in Selective breeding and grading up programs. Selective breeding may be implemented through nucleus schemes. State level milk federation may be involved in goat milk procurement along with forward and backward linkages. The involvement of educated and resourceful people in commercial goat farming would encourage to drive better adoption of technology, establishing quality germ-plasm centers and in creating marketing structure and processing unit through appropriate policy support and incentives. Farmer’s active participation right from data recording to policy making is very important for sustained genetic improvement and conservation of caprine resources.
Our experience of buffalo improvement in India
India hosts 57% of world buffalo population and is crucial to global dairy and meat production. Buffaloes contribute more than half of India’s milk and a major portion of meat exports. Their adaptiveness, disease tolerance, and nutrient composition of the milk make them crucial for rural economies and small farmers. This paper discusses the historical evolution, present scenario, and genetic improvement approaches with reference to India’s buffaloes. It emphasizes on the breed diversity, existing breeding programs and its outcomes, and issues such as low conception rates and poor artificial insemination. With schemes like Rashtriya Gokul Mission and advancements such as genomic selection taking the center stage, the future of buffalo development looks promising. Sustained production, productivity enhancement, and rapid genetic progress are the keys to addressing the growing demand and enhancing the position of India in the world livestock industry.
Advancing education reforms in animal genetics and breeding
In the recent past, the field of animal genetics and breeding (AGB) has experienced transformative advancements driven by molecular genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, and data-driven selection methodologies. However, current educational frameworks in India have not sufficiently evolved to incorporate these contemporary developments, resulting in a critical gap between academic training and the practical competencies demanded by modern breeding programs. This article advocates the philosophy of Maimonides –Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime–, and proposes a comprehensive framework for the upgradation of AGB education, emphasizing curriculum modernization to integrate advanced genomic and computational tools. There is an urgent need to upgrade AGB education through curriculum reform, integration of genomic and computational tools, experiential learning, and interdisciplinary approaches. It also underscores the importance of collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers, along with continuous professional development, to build a skilled workforce for sustainable and innovation-driven breeding systems.
Envisaging animal genetics and breeding education in the present era of artificial intelligence
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into animal genetics and breeding (AGB) education is redefining traditional paradigms of teaching, research, and practical application. This shift is being driven by the increasing relevance of AI tools in areas such as precision breeding, genomic selection, and livestock health management. While technological gaps, resistance to change, and data ethics remain significant challenges, emerging opportunities—such as AI-powered virtual labs, personalized learning systems, and smart decision-support tools— are transforming how students engage with complex genetic concepts. To meet the growing demand for professionals skilled in AI and genetics, educational programs must adopt crossdisciplinary strategies, blending data science, bioinformatics, and ethical training into the AGB curriculum. Government initiatives like NEP 2020 and #AIforAll, along with international collaborations and industry partnerships, are paving the way for skill development, innovation, and global exposure. As AI becomes central to modern breeding systems, the next generation of graduates must be equipped not only with technical proficiency but also with the critical thinking and ethical foresight needed to drive sustainable, tech-enabled progress in animal sciences.
The dairy sector is a cornerstone of global food security, providing essential nutrition and livelihoods for millions, particularly in rural economies such as India. Despite steady growth in milk production, the sector faces persistent challenges, including genetic limitations of indigenous cattle, disease prevalence, suboptimal feed quality, and inadequate infrastructure. Traditional approaches-such as selective breeding, nutritional optimization, and vaccinationhave historically improved productivity but are insufficient to overcome the complex, multifaceted constraints limiting further gains. Recent advances in biotechnology, including artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, embryo transfer, sexed semen, genomic selection, and CRISPR-based genome editing, offer transformative potential for accelerating genetic improvement, enhancing disease resistance, and increasing environmental resilience. This review examines the convergence of conventional and advanced technologies, highlighting how their integration can drive rapid genetic progress, optimize resource use, and improve animal welfare. By synthesizing established practices with cutting-edge innovations, the dairy sector can sustainably augment milk production, strengthen resilience to climate change, and meet the rising global demand for high-quality dairy products. The synergistic application of these technologies is essential for building a robust, efficient, and future-ready dairy industry.
Statistical models and approaches for analyzing the data on production traits and estimation of breeding value
This article presents a comprehensive overview of statistical models and analytical approaches used for evaluating production traits and estimating breeding values in livestock. Emphasizing both traditional and advanced methodologies, the discussion includes least squares, Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP), and contemporary genomic models such as Genomic BLUP (GBLUP), single-step GBLUP (ssGBLUP), Bayesian methods, and dominance models. Special attention is given to data challenges in smallholder dairy systems, the importance of contemporary group effects, genetic trend estimation, and accounting for breed composition and population structure. The article further explores software tools, model selection, and the practical implications of genetic evaluations in diverse production systems. This synthesis serves as a valuable reference for researchers and practitioners engaged in animal breeding, genetic evaluation, and livestock improvement under both intensive and resource-constrained conditions.
Augmenting poultry production safeguarding the welfare of poultry using breeding and molecular techniques
With the rising ethical and sustainability awareness, there is a global clamour for introducing welfare measures in livestock production systems, particularly in poultry production. Intense selection and poor management practices have led to emergence of skeletal disorders, gut and cardiovascular issues, stress and reduced immune response in poultry. Furthermore, in the light of climate change threat, there is a need to incorporate welfare in poultry breeding programs order to raise robust and resilient birds. Breeding goals for poultry welfare can include selection for morphological, physiological, behavioural and social traits related to welfare. Selection for disease resistance is another important component of welfare, and must be assigned appropriate weightage alongside the production traits in an index-based selection. Besides, advent of precision phenotyping along with the generation of real-time data and big data analytics can greatly improve the recording of social and welfare traits. This can be further complemented with the omic studies to identify genetic markers associated with the traits and to unravel the genetic architecture of the traits. Although, important insights are being generated on the genetics of welfare traits globally, it is high time that we, in India, work on this aspect and raise robust and resilient birds.
This paper reviews the methodological advancements, statistical models, and technological platforms underpinning genome-wide association studies (GWAS), highlighting its transformative role in livestock breeding programs. A significant focus is placed on the integration of high-throughput genotyping and phenotyping, linkage disequilibrium models, and multiomics data to enhance genomic prediction and selection accuracy. The study also emphasizes GWAS applications in Indian livestock, particularly Vrindavani cattle and indigenous pig breeds, for traits such as milk composition, mineral content, and immune response to classical swine fever (CSF) vaccination. Despite its strengths, GWAS faces limitations including reliance on existing SNP panels, stringent significance thresholds, and challenges in pinpointing causal variants. The application of mixed models, principal component analysis, and CNV analysis are discussed as strategies to mitigate these issues. The findings underscore GWAS as a pivotal tool for unravelling the genetic architecture of economically important traits, paving the way for precision breeding and improved animal health management. Future prospects lie in exploring gene–gene and gene–environment interactions to bridge the gap of missing heritability and to optimize trait-specific breeding strategies.
Status of genomic selection in Indian crossbreed dairy cattle
Genomic selection in dairy livestock in India is an advanced and proven breeding methodology. Compared to the traditional breeding where evaluation relies on phenotypic information on specific trait assessment and pedigree information through progeny selection method takes years to evaluate genetic merit of the test bull , while genomic selection accelerates genetic progress by examining the animal’s genome directly to predict desirable traits at a much earlier age of life. Genomic selection programs for dairy cattle in India primarily focus on indigenous and crossbred cattle, including Gir, Sahiwal, and crossbred Holstein Friesians. Milk production, resilience, and adaptability to the diverse challenging climatic conditions of the country are improved. Therefore, genomic tools help to make more informed decisions by the breeders, which results in enhanced productivity, improves farmer livelihoods, and supports food security through more reliable milk supply.
Yaks are indispensable to high-altitude communities, offering essential resources such as meat, milk, and wool while demonstrating remarkable resilience in extreme environments. However, their long-term viability is jeopardized by challenges including transhumance system of rearing, limited genetic research, inbreeding, and environmental pressures. Recent advancements in genomics, molecular genetics and breeding technologies, such as CRISPR, and artificial insemination along with genomic selection, present promising avenues for enhancing productivity and resilience. To safeguard yak genetic diversity and ensure their adaptability amid climate change, sustainable breeding programs, and conservation strategies are imperative.
Genetic improvement in buffaloes for enhancing global food security
The global food crisis is worsening, with around 282 million people experiencing acute food insecurity in 2023, largely due to extreme weather events and inflation. This crisis is particularly severe in the Asia-Pacific region, where the rising cost of healthy food has left 232.8 million people unable to afford a nutritious diet. In India, home to approximately 200 million malnourished people, buffaloes have become essential in the fight against hunger, contributing around 45% to the nation’s milk production and significantly to meat production. Buffalo meat and milk, known for their high nutritional value, are crucial in addressing food insecurity. Additionally, buffalo farming is linked to sustainable practices, such as efficient feed use and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Over the past fifty years, India’s efforts to improve buffalo genetics have led to significant increases in productivity. Despite challenges like smallholder farming constraints, there are opportunities to expand buffalo meat exports and value-added dairy products. Adopting precision dairy farming and advanced breeding programs could transform India’s dairy industry, enhancing its global competitiveness and sustainability.
Buffaloes, Food security, Genetic improvement, milk production, Meat production, Sustainable farming
Copyright (c) 2024 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher or the copyright holder.
Assessment of genetic parameters and breeding value of somatic cell score and first lactation 305 days milk yield in crossbred dairy cattle of Kerala
Present study focuses on estimating the genetic parameters and breeding values related to somatic cell score (SCS) and first lactation 305 days milk yield (FL305DMY) in crossbred cattle in Kerala. Mastitis, a common inflammatory condition of the mammary gland, poses significant challenges to dairy production by decreasing milk quality and quantity, resulting in considerable economic losses for farmers. The study involved 200 first-lactation crossbred cows from various locations and 200 raw milk samples were analysed for SCS estimation. Overall least square mean of SCS and 305 DMY were 4.85 and 2409.35 kg, respectively. The heritability estimates for SCS and 305 DMY were 0.003±0.340 and 0.359±0.076. The average breeding value of 200 crossbred cattle sired by 78 bulls for SCS was 4.16 and for 305DMY was 2743.60 kg. The negative genetic correlation between SCS and FL305DMY (-0.113 ± 0.38) further emphasizes the detrimental impact of mastitis on milk production. The results indicate the necessity of incorporating SCS into selection criteria for dairy cattle to enhance both milk yield and overall herd health.
Somatic cell, cattle, lactation milk yield, genetic parameter
Climate change significantly impacts the production, health, welfare, and survival of farm animals. The prolonged heat stress is a major concern in tropical and subtropical regions. Heat tolerance enables livestock to maintain thermal balance under extreme climatic conditions, thus ensuring productivity and animal welfare. There is a feasibility of genetic selection for heat tolerance to improve production and reproduction traits. This genetic selection may provide enduring advantages in maintaining productive and reproductive performances as heat stress is a heritable trait. To identify and integrate traits associated with thermal tolerance into breeding programs, it is imperative to have a robust animal performance records and meteorological data. Temperature humidity index (THI) is a widely used biomarker for assessing heat stress in dairy cows, as it combines air temperature and relative humidity. In regions with sparse weather station coverage, NASA POWER satellite data is a viable alternative for obtaining meteorological information to calculate THI and evaluate heat stress impacts. There are multiple models for calculating THI and those focusing on humidity being more effective in humid climates. Genetic models, particularly reaction norm models based on random regressions, were introduced for estimating genetic parameters for heat tolerance in cattle. These models help to understand genotype-environment interactions and non-linear relationship between THI and milk yield reduction. The continued genetic selection for milk production without considering heat tolerance traits increases susceptibility to heat stress, emphasizing a need for comprehensive selection objectives. This review underscores the importance of incorporating heat tolerance traits into genetic selection for dairy cattle and highlights various biomarkers and genetic models used to estimate heat tolerance. Incorporating these traits into breeding goals is essential to improve thermotolerance while maintaining productivity, bolstering resilience of cattle to climate change.
Climate change, temperature humidity index, NASA, satellite, genetic parameters
Investigating non-genetic factors impacting first lactation milk yield in Mehsana buffaloes
Buffaloes are known as the backbone of dairy industry in India by contributing about half of milk production. Milk production, a complex trait, is influenced by various non-genetic factors. This study investigated the impact of non-genetic factors on the first lactation performance of Mehsana buffaloes, focusing on their 305-day milk yield (305DMY). The dataset, comprising 23,608 records, was obtained from the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Anand, recorded through the Indian Network for Animal Productivity and Health (INAPH). Age at first calving, year of calving, month of calving, and union (milk co-operative society) were considered as non-genetic factors. Statistical analysis, including Least Squares Analysis and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test, revealed that all factors had a highly significant (P < 0.01) influence on 305DMY. These findings contribute valuable insights into dairy herd management strategies, aiding dairy farmers, policymakers, and researchers to optimize milk production and improve the overall productivity of Mehsana buffaloes.
Least Squares mean, Mehsana buffalo, Milk yield, Non-genetic factors
Comparative analysis of marker selection approaches for population stratification in Garole and Deccani sheep
The present study was undertaken to identify ancestry-informative single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers from medium-density Ovine50K genotyping data for the development of low-density SNP panels in Deccani and Garole sheep breeds of India. These panels can be used for efficient and cost-effective genetic analysis and breed identification. Genotyping data from 49 individuals (25 Garole, and 24 Deccani) was analyzed using the OvineSNP50 BeadChip array. Quality control measures were applied to ensure data accuracy and improve reliability and reproducibility of results. Admixture analysis was performed to assess genetic structure and identify potential marker sets for low-density panels. Three different methods (distance, frequency, and index) were used to select markers based on their distribution and allele frequencies. The low-density panels were designed at pre-set sizes of 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, and 5000. The results revealed that low-density panels, particularly with 3K and 5K markers, can effectively differentiate between Deccani and Garole sheep. In conclusion, the 0.5K dense SNP panel developed via index method (followed by frequency method) can be recommended for better genomic clustering (~90%) for both the breeds. The developed SNP panels provide a valuable resource for genetic analysis and breed identification in these sheep populations, potentially facilitating conservation efforts and genetic improvement programs.
Genomic breed clustering, Low-density panel, MAF, Ovine50KSNP position
Genotyping and m-RNA expression analysis of heat shock factor (HSF-1) gene in lactating goat during heat stress
Heat shock factors (HSFs) are essential for cells to respond to thermal stress, activating genes that protect the cells. Different HSFs help cells respond to various environmental and physiological changes. The present study was conducted to assess the impact of thermal stress on goats with different genotypes. The variation in DNA Indian goat breeds and effect of thermal stress on mRNA levels of HSF-1 gene was studied. Genotyping of the HSF-1 gene was performed in four Indian goat breeds using high resolution melting (HRM). Out of the 138 samples, the distribution percentages of different genotypes were 60.87% (AA/blue), 17.39% (AC/red) and 13.04% (CC/green) and 8.70 (AT/Pink). Caprine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were used to extract total RNA, which was transcribed into cDNA. The relative expression patterns of the HSF1 gene were assessed in Jamunapari goats with differing milk yields under heat stress phenotypes (HST and HSS). Low milk yield goats with the HSS phenotype exhibited a relative expression 0.7072-fold change, while those with the HST phenotype showed 0.7846- fold change. High milk yield goats with the HSS phenotype demonstrated 0.4928, and those with the HST phenotype exhibited 0.3694. However, the expression pattern of the HSF1 gene did not differ statistically between the groups. The regulation of the HSF1 gene may be attributed to the lower magnitude of heat stress in this study, which was insufficient to induce a robust cellular stress response in lactating Jamunapari goats. These findings provide insights into the genetic and phenotypic factors influencing heat stress resilience and milk production in Jamunapari goats. Understanding these factors is crucial for developing improved breeding strategies aimed at enhancing heat tolerance and productivity in this breed.
HSF, Genotyping, mRNA Expression, Lactation stage, Goats
Genome editing tools for improved and sustainable livestock production systems
Genome editing has great potential to improve production traits such as dairy and meat quality, as well as wool production in livestock species. Some notable examples include the production of the β-lactoglobulin (BLG) knockout resulting in hypoallergenic milk, disruption of the myostatin (MSTN) gene leading to increased muscle mass, longer wool achieved by mutating the fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF5) gene, and the development of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS)-resistant pigs through the editing of the CD163 receptor. These advancements demonstrated the immense potential for enhancing productivity, animal health, and welfare to significant impact the economic benefits for farmers and industries. The regulatory landscape for gene-edited animals varies globally; the countries like Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, and Japan have adopted progressive policies by treating gene- edited animals similarly to those produced by conventional breeding. In conclusion, genome editing technologies have the potential to transform agriculture, promoting sustainability and efficiency in livestock production systems.
Genome editing, Livestock, Improved production, Disease resistance, Climate resilience, Regulatory framework
Advanced perspectives of biocomputational gene discovery
Gene discovery is one of the most significant processes in understanding and analysis of an organism’s genome after its sequencing. The method comprises determining the location of intron structures, exon structures, and open reading frames (ORFs). It computationally specifies all of the genes with near 100% reliability. It can substantially reduce the amount of wet lab experimentation. In eukaryotic genomes, mosaic organization occurs when a gene is divided into exons by intervening noncoding regions (called introns). Several methods are available for gene finding such as laboratory-based approaches, feature-based approaches homology-based approaches, and statistical and HMM-based approaches. In this paper, we aim to discuss in silco approaches for gene prediction with available bioinformatics tools for gene finding.
Gene prediction, Bioinformatics tools, In silco approaches
Performance evaluation of composite Vrindavani cattle in field conditions of Uttar Pradesh
The present study aimed to evaluate the performance of Vrindavani crossbred cattle under field conditions of Uttar Pradesh. The study was conducted in six tehsils of the Bareilly district, involving interviews with 201 respondents and covering a total of 554 animals. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview schedule. A one-way ANOVA was performed to find the statistical differences between the tehsils in the Bareilly district. The average lactation milk yield, lactation length, average milk yield per day, peak yield, and dry period of Vrindavani crossbred cows under field conditions was 2996.54±32.99 kg, 348.80±1.98 days, 8.64±0.10 kg, 13.34±0.17 kg, and 117.51±2.76 days, respectively. The age at puberty, age at first service, age at first calving, service period, number of services per conception, and calving interval averaged 611.36±9.71 days, 678.94±5.46 days, 1010.71±7.25 days, 171.90±2.63 days, 2.39±0.07, and 465.71±3.01 days, respectively. The average birth weight, and weight at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months for Vrindavani crossbred calves were 21.17±0.07 kg, 45.76±0.25 kg, 80.79±0.44 kg, and 128.03±1.12 kg, respectively. The performance of Vrindavani crossbred cows was comparatively better than other crossbred cattle populations under field conditions. However, their performance in the field was lower as compared to organized farms. To improve the productivity of Vrindavani crossbreds further, a proper breeding policy should be implemented at the field level to ensure the propagation of Vrindavani crossbred semen. Additionally, improvements in non-genetic factors are necessary to achieve higher productivity.
Crossbred, Growth, Lactation, Performance, Reproduction, Vrindavani
Transforming Indian cattle industry for building sustainable future
India is one of the 17 global mega-biodiversity hotspots and harbours a rich diversity of flora and fauna with more than 212 breeds of various livestock species registered at the national level. Livestock sector contributes immensely to the national GDP of India with appreciable annual growth in dairying sector. The cattle population in India is mainly concentrated in its northern and western regions. Raising cattle is deeply ingrained into the social, cultural, and traditional fabric of many communities in India. It forms an important source of livelihood for rural masses. India faces a twin challenge of sustainable management of its huge cattle inventory while improving the productivity of animals and profitability of farmers within the minimum possible time. It is coupled with other challenges in terms of the limited resource base and changing agro-climatic trends along with the ever-looming threat of climate change. The profitability of rearing cattle has increased gradually since independence mainly due to staunch efforts made during the White Revolution and subsequently its carry-over effect. The adult female cattle population of India has increased 1.67 times from 54.4 million in 1951 to 145.12 million in 2019. There is an utmost need for improvement of productivity of cows using modern genetic approaches coupled with improvement in different facets of breeding, feeding and healthcare management. Streamlining the marketing channels, expanding the market network, and establishing a suitable farmers’ co-operative system across the country for dairy products offer opportunities for improved income of the dairy farmers besides providing nutritional security to rural masses. The present policy paper attempts to traverse through the important milestones and programmes in the cattle sector that led India to the stage of self-sustenance, besides analyzing the current threats and challenges faced by the industry along with possible solutions
Challenges, dairying, genomics, productivity, programmes, sustainability
Copyright (c) 2024 The Indian Journal of Animal Genetics and Breeding
Genetic improvement and conservation of goats in tropic
Goats indeed have a significant historical and contemporary importance in human civilization, particularly in the realm of agriculture and food production. Their adaptability and widespread distribution have made them crucial for various societies across the world. Goats have played a central role in the Neolithic agricultural revolution, aiding in the spread of human civilization globally. Their adaptability allowed them to thrive in diverse environments, contributing to the sustenance and expansion of human settlements. Goats are highly adaptable and are found in a wide range of geographical regions. Their presence spans across continents, from tropical to temperate climates, showcasing their ability to thrive in various environmental conditions. There is diversity in the production performance of goats based on the region of the world and the specific breeds. Genetic improvement programs aim to enhance economically important traits such as milk production, growth rates and fiber production, thereby increasing productivity and income for goat farmers. Understanding the genetic parameters such as heritabilities and repeatabilities for various traits is crucial for designing effective breeding programs. These parameters provide insights into the genetic potential of goats for traits like milk production, growth and fiber quality. Heritability estimates for reproductive traits, body weight, daily gain and direct and maternal heritability are important for implementing selective breeding strategies aimed at improving overall productivity and efficiency in goat farming. Genetic improvement programs have been implemented in tropical environments to enhance milk production traits in goats. Genetic improvements have also targeted fiber production in goats, with a focus on traits such as grease fleece weight and average fiber diameter. These efforts aim to enhance the quality and quantity of fiber produced by goats for various commercial purposes. Despite the importance of conserving goat breeds with unique characteristics, planned conservation programs in tropical regions are often neglected. It’s emphasized that preserving indigenous goat breeds in their native habitats is essential for maintaining genetic diversity and ensuring future resilience in goat farming.
Genetic improvement, Conservation, Goat, heritability, diversity
Recent advances on strategies and technologies for isolation of bovine milk-derived exosomes: An overview
Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles that play an important role in intercellular communication by facilitating the transfer of cell-specific constituents of the source cell to the recipient cell. They are secreted by various cell types and are available in all body fluids. Milk has been a part of the human diet since ages and is known to contain diverse bioactive components, including exosomes. Milk-derived exosomes (MDE) contain specific cargo with proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and other bioactive molecules that help in cell-to-cell communication and can alter the biological and physical processes of the recipient cells. These MDE can act as excellent nanocarriers for the delivery of drugs due to their stability and low immunogenicity. In this comprehensive review, the conventional isolation strategies based on ultracentrifugation, immunocapture, polymer-based precipitation, and chromatography and also the emerging technologies like microfluidic chips are discussed in detail. These provide functionally intact exosomes with high recovery rate. The available methods have one or the other limitations which pose challenges for the downstream analysis. Hence, integration of different methods is the most effective way to isolate exosomes with high recovery rate, purity and intact biological functions that open new avenues for exploring the therapeutic potential of MDE improving health and developing innovative medical interventions.
Milk, Exosomes, Biogenesis, Isolation techniques, Bovine
Application of nutrigenomics and metagenomics in livestock
Nutrigenomics tools, such as transcriptomics referring to RNA, proteomics referring to protein molecules and metabolomics referring to metabolites, can be used to effectively explore the events at molecular level occurring in a genome that receives signals from various nutrients and responds to them through different metabolic processes in the living organism. Nutrigenomics has the potential to identify personalized diets, elucidate diet-related diseases, pinpoint genes associated with diet-gene interactions, and detect gene polymorphisms influenced by significant nutritional and environmental factors affecting genetic expression. Limited information is available on the dietary impact on gene expression associated with reproductive and productive traits in livestock. However, this might be feasible to initiate an understanding of the significance of the connection between specific nutrients or dietary ingredients and the gene expression regulation. Utilizing nutrigenomic approaches will augment researchers’ capacities to uphold animal health, optimize animal performance, and enhance the milk quality and meat quality. Despite being rapidly advancing science, nutrigenomics is still in its early phase. Metagenomics is emerging as a robust and efficient approach for the metagenome sequencing derived from environmental samples. Investigating the gut microflora of various livestock and poultry species holds the potential to identify probiotic communities possessing both immunity-boosting properties and growth-promoting. Analyzing the diversity of gut microbes’ aids in identifying strains that contribute to animals’ adaptability to their native conditions. This approach is optimal for unveiling the phylogenetic and evolutionary connections between contemporary species and the ancestors of livestock and poultry
Metagenomics, Nutrigenomics, probiotic, gut microbes
Identification of transcription factor binding sites of HSP60 and HSP90B1 Genes’ promoter in Bubalus bubalis
The gene expression determines cellular homeostasis while spatio-temporal nature of gene expression is regulated by several cis regulatory elements, such as promoter regions which bind to transcription factors. The ever-changing global climatic conditions have raised a necessity to scan heat tolerant livestock especially the riverine buffalo in tropics. The study focuses on characterization of the promoter region of HSP60 and HSP90B1 and looking for the binding sites of transcription factors in Bubalus bubalis and comparison with the nearest relative Bos taurus to gauge the interspecies variations. The results indicated no transcription binding factors in HSP90B1 promoter (550 nucleotides) within the region analyzed except for the Elk-1 and COMP1 in the cattle while promoter region of HSP60 gene (971 nucleotides) varied highly. Nine and seven transcription factor binding sites were specifically unique in Bubalus bubalis and in Bos taurus respectively. Occurrence of 1-Oct, BR-C Z4, Hairy, and HSF was higher in buffalo. Overall, this study provided the framework to explore cis regulatory elements and contributes to decipher the transcriptional regulatory elements of HSP60 and HSP90B1 genes in Bubalus bubalis.
Bos taurus, Bubalus bubalis HSP60, HSP90B1, Promoter, Transcription factors binding sites
Genetic variations in HsP90AA1 chaperone gene across diverse Indian native cattle (Bos indicus) breeds adapted to varied agroclimatic regions
Indian zebu cattle during their separate evolution from Bos taurus, have acquired certain changes in a set of genes that regulate the body temperature in response to heat stress. Heat shock proteins (HSPs), the abundant and ubiquitous molecular chaperones play essential role in many cellular biological processes, and are preferentially transcribed in response to heat stress. The objective of this study was to comparatively screen variants/ single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the HSP90AA1 gene in cattle breeds, viz., Gir, Kankrej, Ladakhi, Nagori, Nimari, Ongole, Rathi and Sahiwal, adapted to different agroclimatic regions of India including the exotic breed Holstein Friesian and yak (Bos grunniens). Sanger sequencing was carried out in all the translatable exons of the gene. The analysis revealed 6 SNPs – 3 were located in exon 3, 1 SNP each in exon 4 and 6, and another SNP in exon 9. We also identified a novel SNP 2937 (G>T) nucleotide position of exon 9. Interestingly, 2 variants detected at position 1924 (A>G) of exon 3 and 2343 (T>C) of exon 6 with a frequency of 0.9 and 0.73, respectively, were found to be almost fixed in nearly all of the Indian native cattle breeds. These SNPs could potentially be utilized to undertake genotype-phenotype association studies for superior heat stress tolerance trait in Indian native cattle.
Bos indicus, HSP90AA1, SNPs, genetic markers, heat stress tolerance
Delineating marker genotypes for higher reproduction performance to aid in selection of Murrah bulls
Unraveling the genetic variability of performance traits is the key basis of selection in farm animals. Murrah is a predominant milch breed of India, efforts were being made in the past to select them for higher production, which is negatively related with the fertility. Keeping this fact in mind and to select the animals having optimum production and fertility performance, present study was conducted to validate suitable markers and the association of their allelic variation with the fertility traits in Murrah buffaloes. Study was conducted on 280 Murrah buffaloes to explore SNPs in SPEF2 gene and their association with sire conception rate (SCR), conception rate (CR) and weight at birth of Murrah bulls. Results revealed that SNP C168T of SPEF2 gene with genotype CC was found to have non-significant but higher CR and SCR in comparison to CT and TT genotype. Although no significant association of the identified SNPs could be established with bull fertility traits, a further study with a large number of samples could make the differences due to genotypes a significant effect and can be used as an aid for early selection of high fertile Murrah bulls
Fertility, Murrah buffalo, Marker, SPEF2
Deciphering genomic signatures in different Indian milch cattle breeds
In the present study, the population genomic data of different cattle breeds were explored to decipher the genomic regions affected due to selective events and reflected in the productive, reproductive, thermo-tolerance, and health-related traits. To find out these genomic deviations due to selective sweeps, four statistical tools (Tajima’s D, CLR, ROH, and iHS) were used on four indigenous cattle breeds. Several candidate genes were found to be related to milk production (ADARB, WDR70, and CA8), reproductive (PARN, FAM134B2, and ZBTB20), and health-related traits (SP110, CXCL2, CLXCL3, CXCL5, IRF8, and MYOM1). Our findings serve as a foundation for identifying selective sweeps responsible for the genetic variation of traits. These sweeps could hold functional significance for multiple cattle breeds across various subcontinents. However, to enhance the robustness of the results, further studies with high-density arrays or whole-genome sequencing, employing greater resolution and larger sample sizes, are warranted.
Cattle, Selection signature, Single Nucleotide Polymorphism
A comprehensive guide to bioinformatics tools and databases
The interest in the functional aspects of the genome has increased eventually with the expansion of genomic databases. In this review, various genetic alterations within the genome, such as Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), disease-associated mutations, neutral polymorphisms, and small insertions or deletions (INDELs), have been identified and characterized. These polymorphisms, particularly SNPs, have become widely employed in genetic analyses, serving as valuable molecular markers. They are applied across diverse genetic studies, including the reconstruction of haplotypes. In addition to experimental methods for investigating specific genetic variants, there has been a significant surge in bioinformatics research over the past decade, aimed at the molecular consequences of these genetic alterations. Haplotypes, which represent various alleles of a gene, can be reconstructed not only for entire chromosomes but also for specific genes, utilizing the information derived from SNPs. The computational approach to SNP and haplotype discovery has gained prominence due to the continuous expansion of sequence data within public databases. This growth enables more precise identification of SNPs. This article aims to introduce easily accessible and practical online tools for researchers. In summary, SNP and haplotype identification tools are indispensable in bioinformatics for studying genetic variation, population genetics, disease associations, and personalized medicine. They provide valuable insights into the genetic underpinnings of various traits and diseases, helping advance our understanding of genetics and its applications in healthcare.
SNP, Genome-wide association studies, Haplotype, Variations, Genetics
Characterization, registration and gazette notification
The first animal to be domesticated by the man was dog which probably occurred at least 14,000 years ago- the animals being used for hunting and as watchdogs. In India many exotic dog breeds (mainly German Shepherd, Labrador, Doberman, Pomeranian etc) are kept as pet but little emphasis has been given to the native dog breeds. Some Indian breeds of dogs reported in India are Caravan Hound, Combai, Chippiparai, Rajapalayam, Rampur Hound, Kanni, Mudhol Hound, Indian Mastiff (Bulli), Himalayan sheep dog, Bhutia dogs, Bhakarwal dogs etc. ICAR-NBAGR has developed methodology for characterization of dog breeds of Indian through systematic survey in the area of its distribution along with Breed Descriptors format for dog breeds. Phenotypic characterization of two indigenous dog breeds viz Rajapalayam and Chippiparai were completed by ICAR-NBAGR. Rajapalayam and Chippiparai dogs are exclusively reared for guarding the farm and farm houses. Chippiparai dogs are even given to brides during marriage. There is huge demand for the pups of these dog breeds. State of Karnataka has also completed the characterization of Mudhol hound breed. All three dog have been registered by ICAR & Gazette notified by Govt. of India.