SELECTION TOOLS OF BUFFALOS

SUBMITTED TO:Dr K. Surjan rao,Professor and Univ. Head,Dept. of LPM.

• India - 56.70 % of the world buffalo population and they supply 68.21 % of the total milk produced around the world.

• The river buffaloes - milk production, but all of them are also dual purpose animals, exhibiting good meat characteristics.

• India - 13 recognized breeds and the best known breeds of buffaloes are Murrah, Nili-Ravi, Jaffarabadi, Surti and Mehsana.

Process for Selection of best dairy buffaloes is:

1. choice of breed. (murrah, nili ravi or mehsana)2. Breed adviced - All 3 breeds can yield ˃2400 kg milk in a lactation but murrah - best dairy breed (regular breeder & adapt well in all conditions and also performs well in absence of green fodder unlike nili ravi).

3. In buffaloes – body structure, udder conformation, placement of teats, prominent milk veins, small face, tightly curled horns, slim neck region, bulky hump,

boat like body confirmation, size (it does matter), soft and strechable (loose skin), small

legs and bulky body.

Selection of she-buffaloes for milk production• When purchasing of buffaloes for milk production we have to

select healthy animal known for economic milk production. We have to take following steps in selecting a dairy animal

Breed characters

• Body confirmation• Body weight• Ancestors performance• Capacity• Health condition• Age• No. of lactations

• Past performance of the animal.• Free of chronic disease.• Cleanliness of teeth Legs and toes free of injuries.• Good eye site.• Whether animal is dry or lactating.• Date of delivery.• Month of pregnancy.• If non-pregnant, how many times it came in to heat.• Animal should follow owners instructions.• The udder should be in good shape and easy to milking.

The animal should not have the following• Poor growth• Late maturity• Not coming into heat• Repeat breeder• Long gap between two lactations• Uncurable chronic diseases• Retained placenta• Low milk production• Unable to give milk without calf

Criteria for selection: selection methods/Tools: Traditional- Individual performance testing, Pedigree selection, Progeny testing, show ring selection. advanced - Body condition score, Marker assisted selection, Genomic selection.

1. Performance testing: Performance test is a measure of the phenotypic value of the

individual candidates for selection. Since the phenotypic value is determined by both genetic and

environmental influences, the performance test is an estimate, not a measure of the genetic value.

The occurrence of this estimate depends upon the heritability of the trait i.e. on the degree to which the genetic value is modified by the environmental influences.

Advantages:• Among simple procedures it is the most accurate.• Environmental influences can be minimised by testing

candidates for selection in the same pen or in similar environmental conditions.

• Generation intervals are usually short.• Testing can usually be done on the farm under normal managemental conditions.

Disadvantages: Accuracy become low when heretability is low. Phenotypes are not available for sex limited traits. Traits which are not expressed until maturity may become expensive.

2) Pedigree selection:• A pedigree is a record of an individual's ancestors. This

information is valuable because each individual possesses a sample half of the genes from each parent.

• Pedigree considerations are useful when we do not have sufficient accurate records of production of the individual.

• It is also useful for selection of males when the traits are expressed only by the female such as milk production.

Advantages:• It provides information to supplement performance test. • It allows selection to be completed at a young age.• It allows selection of bulls can be selected on the milk records

of their female relatives

Disadvantages:• Accuracy is usually low compare with other selection

procedures.• Too much emphasis on relatives, especially remote relatives greatly reduces genetic progress.• Relatives records make under quite different environments,

thus introducing non random bases into the selection system

3) Progeny testing:Evaluate the breeding value by a study of the expression of

the trait in its offsprings. Individuality tells us what an animal seems to be, his pedegree tells us what he ought to

be, but the performance of his progeny tells us what he is. Progency testing is two-stage selection – preliminary selection to produce progeny then culling parents which produce poor progeny Advantages:

High accuracy when many progeny are obtained. Disadvantages: a. Long generation interval.b. Requires high reproductive rate.c. Low selection intensity.

4) Show ring selection:Selection on the basis of show ring performance had

considerable value in the past. Essentially this selection has been directed towards bringing the conformation of the animal to some ideal conformation.This improvement has been based on two goals: (i) improvement conformation and (ii) correlated response

Improvement of conformation has economic value because a part of the sale price is determined by the conformation of the

individual and it is more profitable producer. .

Advantages:• It enables breeders to exchange ideas and experience.• It allows comparisons among within and between breeds.• It allows new breeders to make contact with established

breeders.Disadvantages:

• Emphasis is usually placed on traits of little economic importance.

• Clever fitting and showmanship can mask defects of trits.• Conformation and production traits usually have low genetic

correlations.

Body condition scoring

• Body condition is defined as the ratio of the amount of fat to the amount of non-fatty matter in the body of the living animals.

• BCS system is a subjective method to assess the body fat reserves particularly over the bony prominences like back and pelvic region.

• Gives an immediate appraisal of the body state of the animal

Utility of BCS system:

• As a managemental aid in dairy production.• Universally accepted, non-invasive, quick and

inexpensive method to estimate the degree of fatness.

• Helps to understand the present status animals -accordingly feeding and managemental practices suggested for optimal performance in future .

• Tool for the selection of dairy animals.• Good predictor of weight loss or gain and success of

nutritional programmes.• Helps to improve the reproductive performance. • Helps to improve the productive performance.• Helps in minimizing the incidence of clinical mastitis,

anoestrum and certain metabolic disorders like ketosis.

Development of Body condition score (BCS)• The skeletal check points were identified based

on the anatomical features and carcass fat reserves.

• A new BCS chart with a 1-5 scale having 0.5 increments examining eight skeletal check points was developed by ultrasonographic assessment• Also asses by palpation• It reflects the actual fat reserves.

Murrah buffalo showing the

skeletal check points for BCS

1.Tail head to pin bones 2.Spinous processes of the lumbarvertebrae 3. Depression between the spinous and transverse processes 4. Transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae 5. Between 12th and 13th ribs 6. Sacral crest 7. Depression between sacral crest and hooks 8. Depression between hooks and pins

1

5432678

7

• A score of 1- indicates emaciated, 2 - thin, 3 - average, 4 - fat and 5 - obese condition.

Tail head to pin bones

BCS 1 BCS 2

BCS 3 BCS 4 BCS 5

BCS 2BCS 1

BCS 3 BCS 4 BCS 5

Spinous to transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae

BCS 1 BCS 2

BCS 3 BCS 4 BCS 5

Transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae

BCS 1BCS 2

BCS 3 BCS 4 BCS 5

Between 12th and 13th ribs

BCS 1 BCS 2

BCS 3 BCS 4 BCS 5

Sacral Crest

BCS 1 BCS 2

BCS 4BCS 3 BCS 5

Between Sacral Crest and hooks

BCS 1BCS 2

BCS 4BCS 3 BCS 5

Body Locations for Ultrsonographic measurements of fat thickness

BCS in relation to reproductive performance

• BCS at calving had significant effect on the reproductive performance of buffaloes.

• The buffaloes of BCSc group 3.5 – 3.99 had earlier resumption of ovarian activity(29.33 days), less postpartum estrus period (46.66 days), less service period ( 58.83 days), number of services per

conception ( 1.5) higher 1st service conception rate (66.66 days) and higher breeding efficiency of 90.64 compared to buffaloes

of BCSc groups 2.5 – 2.99,3.0 – 3.49,4.0-4.49

BCS in relation to productive performance• The buffaloes should be able to produce high milk prod,

yield persistency and high yields of milk components which are the characteristics of ideal lactation curve.

• Achieved by maintaining - ideal BCSc of 3.5 – 3.99, improving the plane of nutrition during 30-60 days of lactation to maintain the buffaloes in a positive energy balance even during the peak milk production and by monitoring the plane of nutrition regularly such that the buffaloes will not be depleted of their body reserves or over conditioned.

• Buffaloes of BCS 3.5 – 3.99 had higher MY upto 18 weeks of lactation (kg), 305 day predicted LY (kg) and peak MY (kg) of 1658.67, 3187.31 and 16.5 respectively.

• For every one unit increase in BCSan increase of milk fat per cent of 1.8 and 2.0 and milk protein / SNF per cent of 0.55 and 0.54 was

observed at 6-8 weeks after calving and 16-18 weeks after calving respectively.

• As the BCSc increased beyond 3.99, the milk yield showed a decline trend.

Target condition scores suggested for better reproduction and production performance

A BODY CONDITION SCORE (BCS) SYSTEM IN MURRAH BUFFALOES

A. Anitha1, K. Sarjan Rao1*, J. Suresh1, P.R. Srinivasa Moorthy1and Y. Kotilinga Reddy2

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2833424/

Stage Target score

At calving 3.5-3.99

At 3 months postpartum 3.25-3.5

At 8w of lactation 2.75-3

At 18w of lactation 3-3.25

BCS an indicator of milk yield and composition in Nili-Ravi buffaloes during lactation under tropical condition:

• 36 animals were offered green fodders ad-libitum and concentrate at the rate of 1kg per 2 kg of milk

produced. • Milk yield (kg/d) and BCS (scale 1-5) were recorded

weekly and milk samples (n = 1008) were collected for analysis of fat, protein and lactose contents. The study continued from calving to 7 months of lactation.

Changes in BCS during lactation• Milk yield showed an increasing pattern up to 4th

week, and decrease in BCS. • 4 weeks later the milk yield consistently decreased

and BCS increased upto the last week of lactation.• The BCS and milk fat contents- A slight decline was

observed in fat contents up to 5th month postpartum and later on a gradual and consistent upward trend was recorded

BCS Fat (%) Protein (%) Lactose (%) 1 MY (kg/d) 2.5 5.01c ± 0.81 3.29b ± 0.24 4.21 ± 0.01 9.18a ± 1.87 (477) (477) (477) (477) 3.0 5.25b ± 0.80 3.28b ± 0.25 4.21 ± 0.07 6.78b ± 2.24 (289) (289) (289) (289) 3.5 5.60a ± 1.10 3.43a ± 0.25 4.20 ± 0.01 5.44c ± 1.31 (242) (242) (242) (242)

Changes in milk fat (%, vertical lines), protein (%, horizontal lines) and lactose (%, dots) with BCS in Nili-Ravi buffaloes

months

• Moderate BCS (2.5) supported higher milk yield in Nili Ravi • BCS correlated positively with fat and protein and negatively

with milk yield. Milk yield increased while BCS decreased in early lactation and later on the trend was reversed.

• Waltner et al. (1993) hypothesized that with higher BCS may display low appetite probably due to their increased catabolism of body tissues and the succeeding effect of circulating free-fatty acids on feed consumption

• http://prr.hec.gov.pk/Chapters/1162S-5.pdf

MAS:• Utilizing the information of polymorphic loci as an aid to

selection.• Identification of the marker loci that is linked to QTL of economic importance trait. GENOYYPING:• 1. Assignment of the entire genome sequence.• 2. Development of technology to measure DNA polymorphisms at loci by ALFP microsatellites and SNPs

• 3.Using computer software and bioinformatics whole genome will be scanned to identification of markers. 4. Using marker information QTL will be detected. 5. Analyse the phenotypic value to particular trait in testing population

Procedure of MAS in selection or breeding programme: 1. Gene mapping: identification and mapping of genes and genetic polymorphisms. 2. Marker genotyping: genotyping of large numbers of individuals for large numbers of markers at a reasonable cost for both QTL detection and routine

application for MAS. 3. QTL detection: detection and estimation of associations of identified genes and

genetic markers with economic traits. 4. Genetic evaluation: integration of phenotypic and genotypic data in statistical methods to estimate breeding values of individuals in a breeding

population. 5. MAS: development of breeding strategies and programmes for the use of

molecular genetic information in selection and mating programmes.

Molecular markers:• Marker on DNA- specific location of genes on genome.• These are identifiable DNA sequences, found at specific locations

of the genome, and transmitted from one generation to the next. • molecular markers-DNA assay, morphological markers that are

based on visible traits, and biochemical markers based on proteins produced by genes.

Steps involved in MAS 1. Validation of molecular markers: Extract the DNA from test

individuals and find out whether there is one-to-one relationship with marker and the trait.

2. Extract the DNA of breeding population at the early stage and apply MAS. Select the individuals on the basis of presence of desired molecular markers for the concerned trait.

• Illumina designed cost-effective chips and provides the services to evaluate the genetic merits Bovines.

• http://www.animalgenome.org/cgi-bin/QTLdb/index.

Commercial companies are now offering DNA markers for use in Marker-Assisted Selection

(MAS) for given traits• Marker-assisted selection is the process of

using the results of DNA testing to assist in the selection of individuals to become parents in the next generation.

Applications of MAS:• As the genetic gains are cumulative and eternal, application of

new technologies that increase the rates of genetic gain can be highly profitable. Enhancement of productivity in buffalo is presently achieved by propagation of small number of sires with high genetic merit.

• progeny testing for milk production of daughters- yield a genetic gain upto 1% per generation. The genetic gain can not be increased beyond this level because of low heritability.

• The molecular markers can enhance the accuracy of selection of sires and can increase the genetic gain beyond 1%. It can provide an impetus to Buffalo improvement programs by reducing the cost of rearing of bulls used in progeny testing. (DNA markers can be scored at birth) http://buffaloqtl.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=4

Limitations of MAS• Cost.• Requirement of technical skill.• Automated techniques for maximum benefit.• DNA markers are not affected by environment but

traits may be affected by the environment and show G x E interactions. Therefore, while developing markers, phenotyping should be carried out in multiple environments.

• Timeline of a traditional artificial insemination breeding programme based on progeny testing.

EBV = estimated breeding value

• Timeline of an aggressive artificial insemination breeding programme based on the• use of genomic bulls as sires of sons. GEBV = genomic estimated breeding valueEBV = estimated breeding value

GENOMIC SELECTION:• Here whole genome will be sequenced.• Determine the best DNA signature for the

production system under investigation – Require the DNA sequence and accurate estimates of genetic merit for many thousands of animals.

• Take a hair/blood/tissue sample a young animal.• Send off to a laboratory to determine its DNA

sequence Compare the DNA sequence of the animal to the best DNA sequence.

• Genomic selection is a form of marker-assisted selection. The markers used for MAS can be linked to the QTL but in linkage equilibrium with it; in linkage disequilibrium (LD) and leads to genetic gain so large amount of genotyping was necessary.

• To overcome these difficulties proposed a variant of MAS called genomic selection. The key features of this method are that markers covering the whole genome are used so that potentially all the genetic variance is explained by the markers.

http://animalscience.ucdavis.edu/animalbiotech/Outreach/Marker_Assisted_Selection_in_Beef_Cattle.pdf

• Microarray chips are now available for cattle that allow for the simultaneous analysis of tens of thousands genetic markers, This technology has opened the door to genomic selection.

• National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP) started(Indian Council of Agricultural Research)Identification of Quantitative Trait Loci for Milk yield, Fat and Protein Percent in Buffaloes in India.

Advantages of Genomic Selection

• Increase genetic gain– By increasing accuracy of selection– By reducing the generation interval

• Lower rate of inbreeding per generation• Once marker effects are estimated they can be used for a few

generations– BUT accuracy will reduce in each generation if not

restimated

Illumina Infinium Bovine BeadChip

~ 54,008 SNP markers across the bovine genome

- On average SNP every <67,000 base pair

- Discovery SNP includes many breeds

BARCUSMARCUniversity of MissouriUniversity of Alberta

(Van Tassell et al., 2008 Nature Methods)

Disadvantages

• New method, not fully proven and tested• Need to genotype a sufficiently large set of animals for accurate

marker estimates.• Genotypes still costly.• Some species have no dense marker maps yet.• When generation intervals are already low genetic gain due to

genomic selection will be less.• In large litters accuracy can be gained from information on sibs,

less advantage of GS,

Yuvraj Murrah Buffalo Bull

• Yuvraj is a perfect specimen of the Murrah breed. • "It generates 3.5 to 5 ml of very high quality semen

everyday which is diluted to increase the volume to 35ml. Now, 0.25ml, which is one dose of semen used for A.I Murrah buffaloes, costs close to Rs 1,500.

• So, ideally in a single day, a dairy farmer can earn roughly about Rs 2,10,000. And since Yuvraj's mother was a high yield buffalo, said to be producing close to 25 litres of milk a day.

THANK YOU PRESENTED BY V. Venkateswara Reddy, I.D.No: RVM/14-21, MVSc in AGB.