Bos taurus Y chromosome of Africander cattle and the development of improved breeds for the tropics
Halnan, C.R.; Francis, J.
Veterinary Record 98(5): 88-90
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 1258303 Document Number: 109597
The Africander has anatomical and other characteristics of an animal of approximately 3/4 B. indicus heredity. The fact that these cattle carry the B. taurus Y chromosome supports this view and indicated that the local cattle in South Africa would have been crossed with one or more B. taurus bulls. Droughtmaster and Braford cattle retain the B. indicus Y chromosome because B. indicus instead of B. taurus bulls were used to establish these taurindicus breeds. Contrary to some assumptions, an approximate tenfold increase in productivity of cattle was made during the 18th and 19th centuries due to improvements in disease control, nutrition and genetic improvement. What is now needed is the development of taurindicus breeds combining to the maximum possible extent the disease resistance and hardiness of B. indicus with the early maturity and productivity of B. taurus cattle. In addition, the ravages of disease and the seasonal variations of food supply need to be overcome in tropical areas. The history and development of dairy and beef cattle breeds is briefly reviewed in the light of results of studies on identification of Bos taurus X Bos indicus crossbreeds by chromosome analysis. Such observations on Africander cattle support the view that this breed has some Bos taurus inheritance. The need for development of other taurindicus crossbreeds for use in the tropics is stressed.