Review of Huang-huai sheep, a new multiparous mutton sheep breed first identified in China

Abstract

Huang-huai sheep are a new multiparous mutton sheep breed that has been cultivated by domestic scientific research institutes, governments, and sheep farms in China. Huang-huai sheep were bred using Dorper sheep as a sire and Small-tailed Han sheep as a dam. The breeding of Huang-huai sheep started in 2003, and three stages have been carried out: crossbreeding innovation, fixation in a two-way-crossbred closed flock, and herd propagation. A pilot test of Huang-huai sheep was conducted on 6 sheep farms from 2017 to 2018, and hereditary properties and production performance were evaluated in 2019. Huang-huai sheep were identified on site by the National Livestock and Poultry Resources Committee of China in December 2019 and approved as a new multiparous mutton sheep breed in China. The genetic distance showed that Huang-huai sheep are most closely related to Dorper sheep, Luxi black-headed sheep, and Small-tailed Han sheep, but the genetic distances are subspecies (0.02–0.20) each other. The body weights of adult Huang-huai sheep are 98.1 ± 5.2 kg (♂) and 71.7 ± 3.5 kg (♀), and those of 6-month-old Huang-huai sheep are 58.50 ± 6.55 kg (♂) and 52.45 ± 5.67 kg (♀). The slaughter rates of 6-month-old sheep are 56.02 ± 1.25% (♂) and 53.19 ± 1.19% (♀). The estrus cycle of Huang-huai sheep is 19.32 ± 2.8 days, the first estrus cycle occurs at 168 ± 12 days, the annual lambing rate of ewes is 252.82% ± 10.69%, the survival rate of lambs is 95.79 ± 0.95%, and the number of weaned lambs per ewe per year is 2.38 ± 0.14. The growth performance, carcass quality, and reproductive performance of Huang-huai sheep have been improved, resulting in considerable economic and social benefits and broader market prospects. This breed represents a new multiparous mutton sheep breed adapted for industrial sheep farms in China.

Genetic polymorphism of the BMP15 gene in West African sheep (Fulani) breed in Sudan

“…Several previous studies conversed the importance of this gene for litter size in many sheep breeds in the world, and other studies confirmed it (Moradband et al 2011;Wang et al 2015). The Small Tailed Han sheep and Hu sheep are two prolific local sheep in China (Wang et al 2015;Quan et al 2020). In this study, the polymorphisms of the BMP 15 gene were investigated to determine whether they are related to litter size in Hu sheep and Small Tailed Han sheep breeds.…”

Genetic polymorphism of the ovine MAP3K5 gene and its association with body size traits in Hu sheep of China

“…The liver is a crucial hub for many physiological processes. It is a unique metabolic and immune organ in the body that fully plays the role of oxida-tion, storage of liver sugar, secretory protein synthesis, trace element metabolism, detoxification, hematopoietic function recovery, and other functions (Racanelli and Rehermann, 2006;Jackson, 2017;Trefts et al, 2017). The lymph circulates through the lymphatic vessels and finally into the veins, through which part of the tissue fluid flows into the blood.…”

“…Breeding will play a vital role in resolving the issue of insufficient supply of sheep (H et al, 2020). Excellent livestock breeds play an essential role in livestock development (Abraham et al, 2018;Quan et al, 2020). Body size traits include body height, body length, chest circumference, and cannon circumference, etc., which are influenced by many factors and also play significant roles in production practice.…”

Whole-Genome Scanning for Selection Signatures Reveals Candidate Genes Associated with Growth and Tail Length in Sheep

“…In contrast, Western sheep productions have more specialized and intensive sheep industry system, and specialized breeds have been bred. So, these excellent Western breeds (such as Dorper, Texel, Hornless Poll Dorset, German Mutton Merino, and Australian Merino sheep) [ 2 ] were introduced to China for crossbreeding to rapidly improve the production performance and mutton quality of local sheep.…”