Studies on the Productive Traits and Relationship between Breeds of Cattle (Friesian Bunaji Cross, Bunaji and Sokoto Gudali) Using Blood Biochemical Polymorphism

Abstract

We studied the blood haemoglobin polymorphism and activity in relation to body morphology and milk traits in Nigerian indigenous breeds of cattle. A total of 150 animals, 50 per breed of the Bunaji, Friesian X Bunaji and Gudali were used to study the relationship between breeds. Variables measured were BW: Body weight (Kg); BL: Body Length (Cm); HW: Height at withers (cm); CW: Chest width (cm); HG: Heart Girth (cm); Rumwi: Rump width (cm); TL: Teat Length (cm); RUH: Rear Udder Height (cm); UC: Udder Circumference (cm); TY: Total Yield (Litres); ADY: Average Daily Yield (Litres/day) and LL: Lactation Length (days) and blood protein polymorphism of the Haemoglobin. Observed results showed overall frequencies of 0.62 (HbA) and 0.48 (HbB). Higher frequencies of the A allele (0.52, 0.54 and 0.68) were obtained respectively for the Bunaji, Friesian X Bunaji and Gudali cattle in the Haemoglobin locus. Study of blood protein polymorphism and productivity indicated significant (p<0.05) influence of the haemoglobin. There is a need for a genetic study using other proteins and at DNA level to compliment the results arisen from morphometric differentiation of the two most populous Nigerian breeds of cattle in the NAPRI herd.