Variability of hair coat and skin traits as related to adaptation in Criollo Limonero cattle

Abstract

The variation in hair coat and skin histology traits of Criollo Limonero cattle was analyzed using 213 Criollo Limonero females. Skin biopsies were obtained from slick-haired (N=16) and normal-haired (N=14) animals. Measured traits included hair length (HL), color coat (CC), number of hair follicles per square centimeter (NHF), sweat glands per square centimeter (NSG), sweat glands size (SGS), sebaceous glands per square centimeter (NSBG), blood vessels per square centimeter (NBV), and thickness of epidermis (TE). Hair length differed (P<0.001) between slick- and normal-haired animals (4.9 ± 0.12 vs 10.9 ± 0.20, respectively). Differences (P<0.01) in CC (Bayo = 144/67.6% vs Red = 69/32.4%) and HL (slick-haired = 199/93.4% vs normal-haired = 14/6.5%) were found. Distribution of slick- and normal-haired animals differed (P<0.01) between bayo-coated and red-coated (139/62.2% vs 9/4.2%; respectively). Most (P<0.05) red-coated animals belonged to a single family. No differences (P>0.05) were found between slick-haired and normal-haired animals in NHF (637 ± 164 vs 587 ± 144, respectively), NSG (556 ± 134 vs 481 ± 118, respectively), NSBG (408 ± 87 vs 366 ± 77, respectively), NBV (1628 ± 393 vs 1541 ± 346, respectively), and TE (1.24 ± 0.14 vs 1.32 ± 0.12, respectively). However, SGS was greater (P<0.01) in slick-haired than normal-haired animals. In conclusion, Criollo Limonero cattle are predominantly bayo-coated, slick-haired, with a reduced number of hair follicles relative to Zebu cattle, sweat and sebaceous glands in proportion to hair follicle numbers, and with a high blood flow irrigating the skin. There is a sub-group of red-coated animals with yellow or cream skin, thicker epidermis, and with a higher frequency of normal-haired animals. It appears that the slick hair gene has been favored by natural selection in this breed.

Genetic assessment of rectal temperature and coat score in Brahman, Angus, and Romosinuano crossbred and straightbred cows and calves under subtropical summer conditions

“…This type of coat appears to be a function of intralocus interaction of alleles (Olson et al, 2003). Such ''slick'' coats appear to be most prominent in Senepol or the Criollo breeds of South America (Olson et al, 2003;Landaeta-Herná ndez et al, 2011), but not occurring in Bos indicus cattle (Olson et al, 2003). However, coat characteristics contribute substantially to Bos indicus adaptability to hot ambient temperatures (Behl et al, 2010).…”

“…This has not been experimentally confirmed in this herd. There may be some influence of coat color on coat condition or amount of hair (Finch, 1984;Maia et al, 2009;Landaeta-Herná ndez et al, 2011).…”

Genome-wide association study and ancestral origins of the slick-hair coat in tropically adapted cattle

“…The slick hair coat (SLICK) has been attributed as playing an important role in the thermo-tolerance for some adapted breeds being a product of natural selection as well as a modern selection criteria for many breeders in tropical and sub-tropical climates (Olson et al, 2003; Mariasegaram et al, 2007; Landaeta-Hernandez et al, 2011). The SLICK is described as a very short, sleek hair coat mostly observed in tropical Bos taurus cattle of Criollo descent in Central and South America as compared to the commonly observed longer hair coat of Bos taurus from other climatic zones (Figure 1).…”

“…New World breeds characterized as possessing the SLICK include the Senepol, Carora, Criollo Limonero, and Romosinuano (Hammond et al, 1996; Olson et al, 2003; Brenneman et al, 2007; Mariasegaram et al, 2007; Landaeta-Hernandez et al, 2011). Each of these tropically adapted breeds have ancestral roots stemming from Spain during early New World colonization (University, 2008).…”

“…The Carora originated slightly later in the 1930's by crossing Brown Swiss with north-western Venezuelan Criollo dairy cattle and became a recognized Venezuelan breed in 1985 (Rizzi et al, 2002). In contrast, Criollo Limonero have undergone 500 years of natural selection in northwest Venezuela and have remained in genetic isolation for the past 30 years for breed preservation (Ovillasmil-Ontiveros et al, 2008; Landaeta-Hernandez et al, 2011). The Criollo ancestry provides a common, if tenuous, link among these tropical Central and South American cattle demonstrating the SLICK hair coat.…”