A new scientific study has found African cattle are among the most resilient in the world but this is due to centuries of genetic mixing with cattle from Europe and Asia.
Researchers analysed the DNA of more than 600 cattle from Africa, Europe, and other parts of the world. They discovered that most indigenous cattle are not from a single origin but are a combination of different ancestral lines. The study was published in Communications Biology.
This long history of interbreeding helped cattle develop traits that allow them to survive harsh environments, including extreme heat, disease, and food shortages.
African cattle were found to have unique genetic advantages that help them cope with tropical conditions. Many have genes linked to fighting infections and surviving high temperatures.
According to the researchers, these animals carry genes associated with “immune response, thermotolerance, reproductivity, and productivity.”
This combination allows them to stay healthy, reproduce and continue producing milk and meat even in difficult conditions.
Some of these traits came from cattle originally from South Asia, known as indicine cattle. These animals are “well known for their resilience to harsh tropical environments.”
When they mixed with African cattle, they passed on genes that improve heat tolerance and resistance to stress.
The study shows that African cattle are what scientists call a “genetic mosaic.” This means their DNA is made up of different pieces inherited from various ancestors over time.
This mixing did not weaken the animals. Instead, it made them stronger by increasing genetic diversity.
In fact, the study found that cattle tend to keep useful genes after mixing. As the researchers explain, “admixture between divergent lineages introduces ancestral variants that may be retained… when advantageous.”
The environment plays a major role in deciding which traits are kept. Cattle living in hot, disease-prone areas are more likely to retain genes that help them survive those conditions.
The study states that “environmental heterogeneity drives the retention of advantageous alleles.”
This explains why African cattle are particularly well adapted to their surroundings.
Interestingly, the research also found evidence of African genetic influence in some European cattle, especially in southern regions such as Portugal. This is likely due to historical migration and trade between Africa and Europe.
Photo from New Vision.