In the Changthang region of Ladakh, India, pastoralism serves as the cornerstone of both the local economy and the local way of life. However, recent socioeconomic shifts and environmental constraints put this economic structure, which has been expertly adapted to the difficult trans-Himalayan geography, in danger of becoming unsustainable. To explore methods for balancing development, ecology, and Indigenous culture, this review analyzes pastoralism in Changthang. The sole dependable method of food production for generations has been mobile pastoralism, supported by high-elevation rangelands. Breeds of native livestock adapted to scant vegetation and seasonal variation have been selectively bred by generations of pastoralists. Sale of wool and cashmere provides financial stability for pastoralist families, mitigating income vulnerability to climate shocks and market fluctuations that would otherwise disrupt predominantly livestock-rearing livelihoods. However, traditional transhumance cycles and collective resource management have been hampered by sedentarization, population growth, conservation constraints, and market integration. Climate change and unrestricted grazing contribute to grassland degradation. Promising programs combine conventional methods with innovations like mobile veterinary services and satellite forecasting to preserve breeds and grazing resources while increasing productivity and climate resilience. These initiatives seek to support regulated grazing practices. Comanagement practices that involve communities in conservation planning are essential. This production system and culture can be maintained through integrated strategies respecting pastoralists' stewardship.

This study was performed to analyze the morphometric traits and indices in 3000 animals of five registered sheep breeds in the Himalayan region under a multivariate approach. Data were recorded under field conditions with equal coverage of the five breeds, viz., Karnah, Gurez, Poonchi, Bakerwal and Changthangi on body length (BL), height at withers (HW), chest girth (CG), ear length (EL), and tail length (TL). Furthermore, four derived traits (indices) were studied, which included an index of body frame (IBF), an index of thorax development (ITD), a Baron-Crevat index (BCI), and an index of body weight (IBW). Multivariate principal component analysis (PCA) was undertaken on nine morphometric traits. Kaiser's criterion was used to reduce the number of principal components for further analysis and interpretation. The adequacy of sampling was evaluated using Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) test and Bartlett's test of sphericity. The mean BL ranged from 52.15 (Changthangi) to 71.13 (Gurez). The estimates of HW, CG, EL and TL were highest in Gurez (63.49), Bakerwal (84.82), Bakerwal (7.26), and Karnah (8.18) breeds, respectively. Among the derived traits, the highest IBF was observed in the Gurez breed with an estimate of 112.22. Upon multivariate PCA on the dataset, the first four principal components were able to explain 92.117% of the total variance. The KMO test, Bartlett's test of sphericity and estimated communalities showed the appropriateness of PCA on the evaluated traits. Four eigenvalues were greater than one and were extracted for further analysis. Morphometric traits were highly correlated, except for EL and TL that showed lower correlation estimates with other traits. The Changthangi population showed the lowest estimates of BL, HW, CG and rectangular body frame. The present study ascertained important morphometric traits/indices that can help in developing selection criteria and formulating sustainable breeding and conservation plans vis-à-vis the unique sheep breeds of the temperate Himalayas.

The present investigation was undertaken to explain the association of SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) in exon 6 and 3 '-UTR of OLR 1 gene with milk traits in Sahiwal cattle. Milk traits were observed from 328 Sahiwal cows sired by 64 bulls viz: - First lactation 305 days milk yield (Kg) (FL305MY), Average test day milk yield (Kg) (ATDMY), Average test day fat percentage (%) (ATDFP) and Lactational fat yield (Kg) (LFY). The animal model was used to estimate the breeding values for FL305MY and LFY. The traits ATDMY and ATDFP were corrected for significant non-genetic factors by using LSML-Harvey and subsequently used for association studies. A total of 130 animals for PCR-RFLP and 103 for sequencing were screened through three sets of primers for the presence of polymorphisms in exon 6 and 3 '-UTR of the OLR1 gene. The CC genotype of SNP C337A in the 3 '-UTR of OLR1 gene had a significant effect (p < 0.01) on ATDFP and LFY. Allele combination CGC had a positive effect (p < 0.05) on ATDFP. Identified SNP C337A and CCGGCC haplotype can be used as potential markers for improving milk yield and composition traits in Sahiwal cattle.

The significance of sire selection in the herd is reflected by the total genetic gain through sire-to-sire and sireto- dam pathways contributing greater than 50% contribution. The present investigation was carried out to estimate genetic parameters of males of Tharparkar (TP) and Karan-Fries (KF) cattle. Data on body weights of Tharparkar and Karan Fries males born during the period 199-2012 at ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (ICAR-NDRI), Karnal, India were utilized in the present study. The genetic and phenotypic correlations among different body weights were estimated from the analysis of variance and covariance among sire groups. Paternal half-sib correlation method was used to estimate heritability of growth traits. Heritability estimates in KF were found to be of moderate to high magnitude, as 0.23±0.06, 0.43±0.10, 0.28±0.10, 0.36±0.11, 0.39±0.12, 0.38±0.14, 0.27±0.19 for weight at birth and weight at monthly interval up to six months, respectively. Genetic and phenotypic correlations were found to vary from moderate to high among the traits. Our study revealed that the magnitude of heritability indicates a high scope of further improvement in Karan Fries. Selective breeding and positive genetic correlations should be considered while designing selection programs.

The current study was undertaken with the objective of sire evaluation as well as studying the effect of genetic and non-genetic factors on growth performance in males of Tharparkar and Karan Fries Cattle. Data on body weights of Tharparkar and Karan Fries males born during the period 1994-2012 at ICAR-NDRI, Karnal, were utilized. The overall least squares means of birth weight and weights at one-month interval up to 12 months of age were 26.92±0.24, 35.55±0.22, 45.04±0.28, 57.56±0.40, 70.02±0.51, 82.62±0.66, 95.18±0.80, 105.11±1.55, 108.19±1.15, 114.20±1.15, 120.11±1.09, 130.35±1.11 and 136.91±4.13 kg respectively, in KF males. In TP males, least square means for birth and one-month were 21.34±0.77 and 25.63±0.67 kg, respectively. Effect of month and period of birth was highly significant on all traits except 1 month and 12-months for the former effect. The effects of genetic group and parity were mostly significant on body weights in KF males. Regression on birth weight was highly significant for all the weight traits. Effect of sire and birth-month was highly significant on all traits except one-month weight in KF. In Tharparkar, effect of season was highly significant on birth weight. Growth curves were linear, and deviations of average body weekly weight showed more divergence with increasing age. Growth rates from birth to three-months age in KF and TP males were 320 g/day and 226 g/day. Effect of non-genetic factors indicated the need of further improvement in feeding and management practices for augmenting growth, i.e. body weights especially in calves born to primiparous dams.

The importance of sire selection in the herd is reflected in the total genetic gain through sire-to-sire path and sire-to-dam path being more than 50 percent contribution. The present investigation was envisaged with the objective of screening chromosomes with conventional cytogenetic techniques in males of Tharparkar and Karan-Fries cattle and to find association between chromosomal anomalies and performance of males. 25 and 15 males of KF (Karan Fries) and TP (Tharparkar) respectively were utilized for cytogenetic and semen evaluation work at ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal. Cytogenetic screening of animals could not show gross numerical and chromosomal aberrations, while fragile sites were revealed by induction with aphidicolin. The average percentage of fragile sites in autosomes and sex chromosomes were found 14.66 and 6.16 respectively in KF males, while in TP males average percentages were 7.66 and 4.9, respectively. Association study revealed that fragility in autosomal chromosomes had significant effect on the birth weights in KF males and no association was found between any libido and reproductive trait with the percent fragile sites either in autosomes or sex chromosomes. Cytogenetic screening is recommended at the initial stage for the propagation of only elite bull semen used for A.I. Association between autosomal fragility and birth weights although found highly significant but still need to be validated with large sample size.

First lactation records of 351 Karan-Fries cows born to 27 bulls, having 3 or more progeny were used to evaluate sires by animal model (AM). Heritabilities, genetic and phenotypic correlations between the traits were estimated by univariate and bivariate linear animal models. The heritability estimates for 305 days or less milk yield (305MY), fat based energy corrected milk yield (FECMY), fat protein based energy corrected milk yield (FPECMY) and fat protein lactose based energy corrected milk yield (FPLECMY) were 0.23, 0.65, 0.11 and 0.39, respectively. There was a high (0.99) genetic and phenotypic correlation between 305MY, FECMY and FPLECMY. The high and positive genetic correlations between energy traits are indication of common genetic and physiological mechanism governing these traits. Comparison of ranks of the sires based on 305MY, FECMY and FPLECMY by animal model depicted a notable100 per cent level of similarity except for FPECMY in which the ranks were entirely different. There was a high heritability and genetic correlation between FECM and FPLECM. Genetic evaluation of Karan-Fries bulls based on energy corrected milk yield will increase the accuracy of selection than the conventional mil yield evaluation. It can help in mitigating the nutritional insecurity of the country in the long run.

The present study was performed to investigate the polymorphisms in the Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF2) gene and to reveal the association of different genotypes corresponding to gene with Breeding Value (BV) for first lactation milk yield and milk composition traits of Karan Fries (HF crossbred) cattle. The traits were adjusted against the significant effect of non-genetic factors. Blood samples were collected on vacutainer tubes supported with EDTA to prevent blood Clotting and DNA samples were isolated and purified using standard phenol chloroform method. Polymerase chain reactions were performed using specific primers for gene under study. FGF2 gene PCR products were subjected to cut them with specific restriction enzyme: Csp6I. Polymerase Chain Reaction – Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis of FGF2 (intron 1) gene revealed three genotypes; GG (171bp), AG (207bp and 171bp,) and AA (207bp). Genotypic frequencies of GG, AG and AA were 0.31, 0.52 and 0.17 whereas the allelic frequencies for G and A allele were 0.57 and 0.43, respectively. Breeding value of GG genotype was highest for ATDMY(kg) and 305MY (kg) (11.21 ± 0.67 and 3172.01 ± 51.33 ) whereas, AA genotype had highest breeding value for ATDFP and LFY (4.39 ± 0.16 and 137.41 ± 5.76). In addition, no significant effect of polymorphism on any of the traits was found. GG genotype was associated with a higher breeding value for 305MY, suggesting its further research in a large population and consequently its use in gene assisted selection for the genetic improvement of milk production.

Lactoferrin plays an important role in antimicrobial defence and is a potential candidate gene for mastitis resistance. In the present investigation, polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) studies were carried out in Murrah (Bubalus bubalis) buffaloes to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of lactoferrin gene and to analyse the association between the observed polymorphisms with milk lactoferrin content and Somatic cell count (SCC). PCR-SSCP analysis revealed a total of 07 different variants in the partial coding region of the lactoferrin gene. PCR-SSCP analysis of exon 10 of lactoferrin gene revealed three and that of exons 4 and 5 revealed two unique patterns each, while all other exons exhibited monomorphic pattern. Comparison of nucleotide sequences of lactoferrin gene of the Murrah buffaloes with taurine reference sequence revealed a total of 14 point mutations, 09 of which were found to be in coding region. Conceptualized translation of nucleotide sequence revealed 07 amino acid changes. SSCP variants of exon 10 (P less than 0.01) had significant effect on milk SCC. The SSCP variants of exon 4 and exon 5 had significant (P less than 0.05) effect on lactoferrin content. The SCC and lactoferrin content in Murrah buffaloes was highest in 4th and above parity group. Stage of lactation had highly significant (P less than 0.01) effect on both milk SCC and lactoferrin content. There was a high and significant (p less than 0.01) correlation (0.741) between SCC and lactoferrin content in milk. The observed association between SSCP variants in lactoferrin gene with milk SCC and milk lactoferrin content can be used as prognostic markers for selection of animals for high lactoferrin content and low somatic cell count, as well as a marker of susceptibility/resistance to mastitis in Murrah buffaloes

This study was performed to investigate the polymorphisms in the ABCG2 (ATP-binding cassette sub-family G member 2) gene and to reveal the association of genotypes with breeding value (BV) for first lactation milk yield and milk composition traits of Karan Fries (HF crossbred) cattle. The traits were adjusted against the significant effect of non-genetic factors. PCR-RFLP analysis of ABCG2 (exon 14) gene revealed three genotypes. AA genotype in ABCG2 gene had significant effect on BV for average test day fat percentage. The identified potential genetic marker could be used for the development of Marker Assisted Selection (MAS) strategy for higher milk yield and milk composition traits in Karan Fries Cattle.

Early selection of bulls having optimum age at first semen freezing play an important role in improving reproductive performance in a dairy herd. Twenty seven years data (1987-2013) on age at first semen freezing (AAFSF), conception rate based on first A.I. (CRFAI), overall conception rate (OCR) and birth weight (B.WT) of 41 Sahiwal bulls belonging to 8 sets of Sahiwal improvement programme at ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India; were adjusted against environmental effects and subsequently analysed. Simple and multiple regression models were used for prediction of CRFAI and OCR of Sahiwal bulls. Among the three developed models (I to III), it was observed that Model III having age at first semen freezing and birth weight fulfil the accuracy of model i.e.; having high coefficient of determination (R-2) value (CRFAI = 67% and OCR=69%), low mean error sum of square (MSSe), low conceptual predictive value (CP value) and low Bayesian information criterion (BIC). The results revealed that optimum age at first semen freezing of Sahiwal bulls should be 2.5 - 3.0 years for 3.10% higher conception rate based on first A. I. (48.86%) and 4.39% higher overall conception rate (48.78%) in comparison to Sahiwal bulls with more than 3.5 years of age (CRFAI :- 45.76% and OCR :- 44.39%).

Records of 1471 Karan-Fries cows from 102 sires with five or more daughters per sire during the period 1989–2013 were used to study genetic and non-genetic parameters for First lactation 305-days or less milk yield (FL305MY-kg), First lactation 305 days or less wet average (FL305WA-kg), Average test day milk yield (ATDMY-kg), Average test day fat percentage (ATDFP-%), Average test day fat yield (ATDFY-g), Fat based energy per kg (FBE/kg-cal) and Fat based energy per first lactation 305 days or less milk yield (FBE/FL305MY-kcal). The non-genetic parameters were analysed by fixed linear model. Heritability and phenotypic/genetic correlations were estimated by paternal half sib correlation method and sire variance and covariance, respectively. Period of calving was significant for all the traits. Season had significant effect on all the traits except ATDFP and FBE. Age group was significant for ATDFP only. The FBE/FL305MY had positive and significant (P<0.01) genetic and phenotypic correlations with FL305MY, FL305WA, ATDMY and ATDFY. The positive phenotypic correlation of ATDFP and FBE/kg with composition and energy traits revealed selection for an increased fat percentage will improve the concentrations of other constituents in milk. Higher estimates of heritability, significant genetic and phenotypic correlation between FL305MY and FBE/FL305MY revealed that any of the two traits can be used for genetic evaluation of Karan-Fries bulls when genetic improvement is sought.

In the present investigation, bull fertility of Sahiwal breeding bulls has been studied. The study was conducted on records of 43 Sahiwal bulls maintained under 8 sets of Sahiwal breeding project at ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal (India). The data on bull fertility of Sahiwal breeding bulls during 27 years (1987-2013) were analysed. The presented study revealed that the average conception rate based on first AI and overall conception rate of Sahiwal breeding bulls were estimated as 45.95% and 46.38 %. Average sire conception rate of Sahiwal breeding bulls range from – 2% to + 3% and – 2% to + 4 % for conception rate based on first AI and overall conception rate. It has been observed that the average conception rate based on first AI was lower as compare to overall conception rate and higher conception rate of Sahiwal breeding bulls is having higher sire conception rate.

First lactation records of 439 Murrah buffaloes, sired by 50 bulls on production traits viz. first lactation 305-day or less milk yield (FL305MY), first lactation length (FLL) and reproduction traits like age at first calving (AFC), first calving interval (FCI) and first service period (F SP) were used to compare the heritability estimates of FL305MY under single-trait animal model (ST-AM) versus multi-trait animal models (MT-AM) in Murrah buffaloes. The heritability estimate of FL305MY was 0.24 +/- 0.012 under single-trait animal model. Under two-trait models, the heritability estimate was found to be highest in FL305MY with AFC as covariate combination as 0.329 +/- 0.079. Under three-trait models, FLL and FSP combination. Comparison of heritability estimates of FL305MY from different models revealed that the estimate were varying from single to multiple traits in different combinations. The lower residual variances (211060 and 240410) and higher heritability (0.329 +/- 0.08 and 0.245 +/- 0.089) of two-trait (FL 305MY with AFC as covariate) and three-trait (FL305MY, FLL and FSP) combinations indicated that these combinations should be used for selection of Murrah buffaloes.

A total of 531 first lactation records of daughters of 28 sires, having 5 or more progeny were evaluated by 4 methods viz., least-squares (LS), best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP), best linear unbiased prediction-sire model (BLUP-SM) and Animal Model. Heritabilities, genetic and phenotypic correlations between the two traits were analysed using univariate and bivariate linear animal models. The h2 estimates for 305 days or less milk yield (305MY) and Fat based energy corrected milk yield (ECMY) were 0.24 and 0.37. The Animal Model was most stable, efficient and accurate method. There was a remarkable 97100 percent level of similarity on comparison of ranks of the sires based on 305MY and ECMY by all methods. The genetic evaluation of Sahiwal bulls based on ECMY has the advantage of being a composite trait, and with high heritability and high genetic and phenotypic correlations (0.99) with 305MY can help in mitigating the nutritional insecurity of the country in the long run.

Lactoferrin is an iron binding glycoprotein which plays an essential role in antimicrobial defense and a potential candidate gene in dairy cattle breeding. The present study was undertaken with the objective of sequence characterization and identification of polymorphisms within exons 2, 3 and 14 and their flanking intronic regions in lactoferrin gene of Deoni (Bos indicus) cattle by single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). Amplicons of exons 4, 5 and 16 showed monomorphic patterns. PCR-SSCP analysis revealed a total of eight different variants in three investigated regions of the lactoferrin gene. The locus LtfE2 revealed four different variants, viz. LtfE2-A, LtfE2-B, LtfE2-C and LtfE2-D with the frequency of 0.42, 0.26, 0.22 and 0.10, respectively. Analysis of exon 3 and 14 revealed two unique SSCP patterns with the frequencies of 0.54 and 0.46, 0.86 and 0.14 respectively. Comparison of nucleotide sequences of lactoferrin gene of the Deoni cattle with taurine cattle revealed a total of 12 point mutations, 11 of which were found to be in coding region with 10 transitions. Conceptualized translation of nucleotide sequence revealed 5 amino acid changes. The SNPs identified in the coding region of lactoferrin gene may serve as potential genetic marker (s) in cattle for disease resistance.

In the present investigation, studies on fertility traits (conception rate) of Sahiwal breeding bulls were considered. The study was conducted on records of 43 Sahiwal bulls maintained under 8 sets of Sahiwal breeding project at ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal (India). The data on conception rate of Sahiwal bulls during 27 years (1987-2013) were generated collected for the study of bull fertility. The study revealed that the average conception rate based on first, second, third and overall AI in Sahiwal bulls were estimated as (45.95 +/- 1.37), (47.17 +/- 1.59), (55.91 +/- 1.76) and (46.38 +/- 1.55) %, respectively with the coefficient of variation of 21.84, 22.01, 22.74 and 22.32%, respectively. It has shown that the average conception rate based onfor first AI was lower as compare to second, third and overall AI. Overall conception rate of Sahiwal bulls related to heifers and non-heifers (adult) were estimated as (50.17 +/- 1.62) and (44.68 +/- 1.31) %, respectively with the coefficient of variation of 22.43 and 21.33%, respectively. Overall conception rate of heifers (50.17 +/- 1.62) was higher as compare to non-heifers (adult) (44.68 +/- 1.31) which may be due to fact that heifers are mostly free from reproductives diseases and non-heifers (adult) are more prone to reproductive diseases.