Academic literature on the topic 'Aberdeen-Angus cattle – Diseases – Genetic aspects'

The article highlighted the problem of meat cattle genetic defects. The aim was the development of DNA tests for some genetic defects diagnostics, the determination of the animal carriers and their frequencies tracking in time. The 1490 DNA samples from the Aberdeen Angus (n = 701), Hereford (n = 385), Simmental (n = 286) and Belgian Blue (n = 118) cattle have been genotyped on the genetic defects by newly created and earlier developed DNA tests based on AS-PCR and PCR-RFLP methods. The Aberdeen Angus cattle genotyping has revealed 2.38 ± 0.31% AMC-cows and 1.67 ± 0.19 % AMC-bulls, 0.65 ± 0.07% DDC-cows and 0.90 ± 0.10% DDC-bulls. The single animals among the Hereford cattle were carriers of MSUD and CWH (on 0.27 ± 0.05%), ICM and HY (on 0.16 ± 0.03%). The Simmental cattle were free from OS. All Belgian Blue livestock were M1- and 0.84%-CMD1-carriers. The different ages Aberdeen Angus cattle genotyping has shown the tendency of the AMC- and DDC frequencies to increase in the later generations. The statistically significant increase of DDC of 1.17% in the cows’ population born in 2019 compared to those born in 2015 allows concluding the further development of the DNA analysis-based measures preventing the manifestation of the genetic anomalies in meat cattle herds is necessary.

Abstract. The use of specialized meat breeds in cattle breeding programs is considered very promising for improving herds' productivity. However, in animal genotype, along with genes that positively affect the productivity signs, there are genes whose mutations, known as genetic defects, negatively affect the health of animals. The aim of the study was the screening of the Russian populations of Aberdeen Angus, Hereford and Belgian Blue cattle on gene mutations associated with the genetic defects of arthrogryposis multiplex (AM), osteopetrosis (OS), developmental duplication (DD), double muscling (M1), hypotrichosis (HY) and maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) as well as the F94L polymorphism of myostatin gene (MSTN) linked with the gene responsible for less fat content in the carcass by means of DNA analysis. In the article, test systems based on the polymerase chain reaction method are presented. The analysis of the Aberdeen Angus (n=4480) population has revealed 0.19 ± 0.09 % animal M1 carriers, 0.53 ± 0.03 % OS carriers, 1.92 ± 0.09 % AM carriers and 9.00 ± 0.20 % DD carriers. The genotyping of Hereford cattle of Russian populations (n=525) has not revealed any individual carriers of MSUD or HY genetic defects. All of the Belgian Blue population (n=92) animals were heterozygous M1 carriers. The study of the F94L MSTN polymorphism has demonstrated extremely high frequencies of the desirable A allele (0.93 and 0.90) in two Aberdeen Angus populations with an average mean of 0.63 ± 0.08, which was 32 % higher compared to the Belgian Blue population. The results suggest the high genetic potential of the Aberdeen Angus and Belgian Blue cattle, but the existence in the genotypes of the mutant alleles associated with hereditary diseases indicates the risk of uncontrolled use of these breeds.

Background and Aim: Anaplasmosis and babesiosis are tick-borne diseases that threaten livestock production with subsequent considerable economic losses. This study was conducted to diagnose Anaplasma and Babesia infection using molecular techniques in imported Aberdeen Angus cattle imported from Uruguay to El-Kharga Oasis in New Valley, Egypt, and to investigate the effects of disease on some serum biochemical and oxidative stress parameters. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 31 cattle, 21 diseased and ten apparently normal, of varying ages and sex. The blood was used for the preparation of blood smears, polymerase chain reaction assay, and separation of serum for biochemical investigation. The experimental production farm at the Faculty of Agriculture, New Valley University, was infested with ticks and variable clinical manifestations during the period from December 2017 to March 2018. One calf died of a suspected blood parasite infection. Results: The blood film examination revealed infection by blood parasites in 21 samples. Anaplasma marginale and Babesia bovis were identified in 12 and 14 samples, respectively. A total of 14 samples were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to make these identifications. Biochemical parameters showed significantly elevated serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin (T. Bil), and urea in blood from parasite-infected female cattle and male calves compared with controls. Increased serum total protein, globulin, and creatinine were recorded only in infected female cattle. The blood glucose level was significantly decreased in infected female cattle and male calves compared with controls. Furthermore, albumin and albumin/globulin ratio was significantly reduced in the infected female cattle. Oxidative stress profiles of infected animals showed a significant increase in serum nitric oxide and malondialdehyde, and both total antioxidant capacity and reduced glutathione (GSH) were significantly reduced in comparison with control animals. Conclusion: The incidence of A. marginale and B. bovis infection is high in imported Aberdeen Angus cattle in New Valley Province. PCR methods provide a short-term assessment of disease. An extensive epidemiological survey, employing serology together with molecular genetic methods, monitoring of abundance and distribution of tick vectors, availability of vaccination programs, and tracking of animal transport is also needed for control of blood parasites.

A large number of diff erent groups of livestock diseases in which heredity plays a signifi cant role are currently reported. In particular, more than 500 genetically determined morphological and functional disorders have been detected in cattle; for 150 of them, specifi c mutations are known. The sale of bovine genetic materials is associated with the spread of various diseases caused by mutations that occur in the prominent representatives of breeds. The abundance of lethal mutations in the populations requires a broader application of molecular diagnostic methods for detection of monogenic hereditary diseases. DNA pyrosequencing, being the most convenient technique for the rapid diagnosis of single nucleotide mutations in the bovine genome that are located in the regions with known nucleotide sequence, has a potential for meeting this need. Pyrosequencing-based methods for identifi cation of the most common signifi cant mutations in Holstein, Simmental, Brown Swiss and Aberdeen Angus cattle were developed, validated and approved at the FGBU “VGNKI”. Such mutations are associated with leukocyte adhesion defi ciency, complex vertebral malformation, uridine monophosphate synthetase defi ciency, citrullinemia, spinal muscular atrophy, spinal cord demyelination, Brown Swiss haplotype 2, Weaver syndrome, developmental duplications, α-mannosidosis, dwarfi sm, bovine male subfertility, trombocytopathya, arachnomelia syndrome, hypozincemia-like syndrome. These methods are intended to test semen in the breeding centres, scientifi c laboratories working in the fi eld of biotechnology and animal reproduction, livestock reproduction centres. The use of the proposed genetic tests to detect mutant alleles, as well as reduced use of mutation-bearing animals in stock breeding will allow minimizing the occurrence of inherited diseases and thus improving the gene pool of cattle in the country.