Houaga Isidore, Mrode Raphael, Opoola Oluyinka, Chagunda Mizeck G G, Mwai Okeyo A, Rege John E O, Olori Victor E, Nash Oyekanmi, Banga Cuthbert B, Okeno Tobias O, Djikeng Appolinaire
Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Roslin, United Kingdom.
The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Roslin, United Kingdom.
Front Genet. 2023 Jun 8;14:1115973. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1115973. eCollection 2023.
The African livestock sector plays a key role in improving the livelihoods of people through the supply of food, improved nutrition and consequently health. However, its impact on the economy of the people and contribution to national GDP is highly variable and generally below its potential. This study was conducted to assess the current state of livestock phenomics and genetic evaluation methods being used across the continent, the main challenges, and to demonstrate the effects of various genetic models on the accuracy and rate of genetic gain that could be achieved. An online survey of livestock experts, academics, scientists, national focal points for animal genetic resources, policymakers, extension agents and animal breeding industry was conducted in 38 African countries. The results revealed 1) limited national livestock identification and data recording systems, 2) limited data on livestock production and health traits and genomic information, 3) mass selection was the common method used for genetic improvement with very limited application of genetic and genomic-based selection and evaluation, 4) limited human capacity, infrastructure, and funding for livestock genetic improvement programmes, as well as enabling animal breeding policies. A joint genetic evaluation of Holstein-Friesian using pooled data from Kenya and South Africa was piloted. The pilot analysis yielded higher accuracy of prediction of breeding values, pointing to possibility of higher genetic gains that could be achieved and demonstrating the potential power of multi-country evaluations: Kenya benefited on the 305-days milk yield and the age at first calving and South Africa on the age at first calving and the first calving interval. The findings from this study will help in developing harmonized protocols for animal identification, livestock data recording, and genetic evaluations (both national and across-countries) as well as in designing subsequent capacity building and training programmes for animal breeders and livestock farmers in Africa. National governments need to put in place enabling policies, the necessary infrastructure and funding for national and across country collaborations for a joint genetic evaluation which will revolutionize the livestock genetic improvement in Africa.
非洲畜牧业在通过提供食物、改善营养进而促进健康来改善人们生计方面发挥着关键作用。然而，其对民众经济的影响以及对国家国内生产总值的贡献差异很大，总体上未达其潜力。本研究旨在评估整个非洲大陆目前所使用的家畜表型组学和遗传评估方法的现状、主要挑战，并展示各种遗传模型对可实现的遗传增益准确性和速率的影响。对38个非洲国家的家畜专家、学者、科学家、动物遗传资源国家联络点、政策制定者、推广人员和动物育种行业进行了在线调查。结果显示：1）国家家畜识别和数据记录系统有限；2）家畜生产和健康性状以及基因组信息的数据有限；3）群体选择是用于遗传改良的常见方法，基于遗传和基因组的选择与评估应用非常有限；4）家畜遗传改良计划以及有利的动物育种政策方面的人力、基础设施和资金有限。利用来自肯尼亚和南非的汇总数据对荷斯坦 - 弗里生牛进行了联合遗传评估试点。试点分析得出了更高的育种值预测准确性，表明有可能实现更高的遗传增益，并展示了多国评估的潜在力量：肯尼亚在305天产奶量和初产年龄方面受益，南非在初产年龄和首次产犊间隔方面受益。本研究的结果将有助于制定统一的动物识别、家畜数据记录和遗传评估（包括国家和跨国评估）方案，以及为非洲的动物育种者和家畜养殖者设计后续的能力建设和培训计划。各国政府需要制定有利政策，为国家和跨国合作进行联合遗传评估提供必要的基础设施和资金，这将彻底改变非洲的家畜遗传改良。
