Conservation of Ethiopian Cattle Breeds

Liv Lønne Dille

In a recent PhD thesis at the Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Merha Zerabruk from Ethiopia mapped and described the genetic diversity of several Ethiopian cattle breeds. Some of the breeds, originating from a region of Ethiopia with little-known genetic resources, have previously not been described in the literature. Merha Zerabruk’s work aimed to describe these breeds as important genetic resources for the development of livestock husbandry in Northern Ethiopia.

For the seven breeds in the study, within-breed and between-breed diversity was measured, their current and future importance for genetic diversity was evaluated, and a ranking was attempted with regard to the breeds’ importance for the future.

The thesis work consisted of two main parts: first, phenotypic observations were made and supplemented with interviews of farmers in the region who kept these breeds, and secondly, molecular genetic studies were performed in Norway based on hair samples from the Ethiopian cattle.

In his field studies, Mr. Zerabruk made phenotypic observations of the breeds and interviewed farmers in relevant production environments on their views of the local breeds and of the animals’ importance for livestock production and their role in the local community. The studies showed that performance and fertility traits of the breeds from purely extensive grazing systems (the breeds Afar, Begait and Raya) were better than among the Abregelle, Arado, Fogera and Irob breeds, which were most commonly used in mixed-production systems (more intensive production, including some purchased feed).

The genetic studies are based on microsatellite analysis and molecular genetic analysis of hair samples from about 25 male and 25 female animals of each breed.

From the autosomal microsatellite analyses (analysed for 20 microsatellites) it was concluded that there was considerable within-breed genetic variation, but relatively little variation between breeds. Some of the breeds were genetically very similar, despite phenotypic differences. The phenotypic analyses showed that the Irob and Begait breeds made up a cluster, as did the Raya and Afar breeds. The Fogera breed proved to be classified close to the Afar/Raya cluster, whereas the breeds Arado and Abregelle showed no or little genetic relatedness to the other breeds, i.e., they could not be classified together with any of the other breeds. All of the breeds had significant genetic influence from the Zebu cattle. This influence was weakest among the breeds in the north-western areas, and strongest in the North-east.

The Y-chromosome analysis showed low within-breed diversity (compared to what is known from the Holstein breed) and little variation between breeds.

Statistical analysis of the breeds’ future situation (based on genetic variation and population size) showed that half of the breeds could disappear within the next 20-50 years. However, such a loss of genetic variation in the years ahead can be kept to a minimum if conservation measures, financial incentives, etc. are implemented for the breeds that are most threatened or have the least genetic variation.

Merha Zerabruk’s studies were funded by the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund (Lånekassen), the NORAD/Mekelle University cooperation and smaller contributions from UMB/IHA. Dr. Odd Vangen of IHA was the main thesis advisor, while Dr. Ingrid Olsaker (Norwegian School of Veterinary Science) and Dr. Juha Kantanen (MTT Agrifood Research Finland) were co-advisors.

Updated: 14.05.09
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