Genetic characterization of some selected east african indigenous cattle
Abstract
The indigenous cattle breeds of Kenya have special adaptations (resistance to diseases,
utilization oflow quality feeds and surviving under high tropical temperatures). There is
a risk of loosing these unique adaptive features. The loss arises from increased market
demands for animal products (such as milk) which leads to crossbreeding and
replacement of indigenous breeds with high producing breeds. Compounded by the lack
of knowledge of their genetic characteristics, an urgent plan to conserve and manage
Kenya indigenous cattle genetic resources is required. This study was undertaken to
determine the genetic diversity and relationships as well as assess the evidence of exotic
blood influence on Teso (n = 44) and Winam (n = 50) indigenous cattle populations from
western Kenya. Three reference populations were included in the study: Friesian, n = 20
(European Bas taurus), N'Dama, n = 34 (African Bas taurus) and Boran, n = 32 (Bas
indicus). Genotyping was done using V-Chromosome specific Marker (INRA124) and 12
autosomal micro satellite DNA markers.
The expected heterozygosity (HE) and observed heterozygosity (Ho) results indicated that
Winam and Teso cattle populations were generally outbred (HE: Winam = 0.708, Teso =
0.723; Ho: Winam = 0.662, Teso = 0.670). There was insignificant genetic distance (DA
= 0.035) and gene differentiation (FsT = 0.000) between Teso and Winam cattle
populations (P:::; 0.05). No significant correlation between genetic and geographical
distances was detected among Winam and Teso cattle populations. Admixture estimates
and Y-chromosome DNA analysis results indicated evidence of introgression of exotic
cattle blood into Teso (~ 8%) and Winam (~ 8%) indigenous cattle populations. In
conclusion, Winam and Teso indigenous cattle populations can be considered as a single
breeding unit as opposed to community based naming which classifies them as different
populations.
Citation
Masters of Science (MSc) in Animal Genetics and BreedingPublisher
University of Nairobi Department of animal production