We report for the first time, and for the whole of sub-Saharan Africa, the geographical distribution and the frequency of an indicine and a taurine Y specific allele amongst African cattle breeds. A total of 984 males from 69 indigenous African populations from 22 countries were analysed at the microsatellite locus INRA 124. The taurine allele is probably the oldest one on the continent. However, the taurine and the indicine alleles were present in 291 males (30%), and 693 males (70%), respectively. More particularly, 96% of zebu males (n = 470), 50% of taurine males (n = 263), 29% of sanga males (crossbreed Bos taurus x Bos indicus, n = 263) and 95% of zebu x sanga crossbred males (n = 56) had the indicine allele. The Borgou, a breed classified as zebu x taurine cross showed only the zebu allele (n = 12). The indicine allele dominates today in the Abyssinian region, a large part of the Lake Victoria region and the sahelian belt of West Africa. All the sanga males (n = 64) but only one from the Abyssinian region had the indicine allele. The taurine allele is the commonest only among the sanga breeds of the southern African region and the trypanotolerant taurine breeds of West Africa. In West Africa and in the southern Africa regions, zones of introgression were detected with breeds showing both Y chromosome alleles. Our data also reveal a pattern of male zebu introgression in Mozambique and Zimbabwe, probably originating from the Mozambique coast. The sanga cattle from the Lake Victoria region and the Kuri cattle of Lake Chad, cattle populations surrounded by zebu breeds were, surprisingly, completely devoid of the indicine allele. Human migration, phenotypic preferences by the pastoralists, adaptation to specific habitats and to specific diseases are the main factors explaining the present-day distribution of the alleles in sub-Saharan Africa.

SummaryThis paper summarises preliminary results of a survey conducted as part of a large effort to systematically collate information aimed at assessing the status of cattle genetic resources of sub-Saharan Africa. The 146 indigenous breeds/strains identified from the survey are classified into nine broad groups (Humpless Longhorns, Humpless Shorthorns, Large East African Zebu, Small East African Zebu, West African Zebu, Sanga, Zenga, Recently Derived Breeds and Commercial Composites) some of which are further subdivided into several groups (based on possible genetic relationships) and clusters (based on eco-geographical locations). Each breed is then described in terms of location, physical characteristics, adaptive attributes, if known, current main uses and status in terms of qualitative or quantitative indication of trends, where available, and presence or absence of programmes for its management or further development.

Genetic parameters for birth and 240-day weaning weights in Gudali and Wakwa cattle breeds in a tropical environment in Cameroon were estimated by derivative-free restricted maximum likelihood procedure using singletrait animal models with maternal effects. Performance data covered the period 1971 through 1985. Heritability estimates for direct effects of live weights at birth and weaning were 0·39 (s.e. 0·10) and 0·27 (s.e. 0·09) in Gudali cattle and 0·65 (s.e. 0·15) and 0·29 (s.e. 0·13) in Wakwa cattle, respectively. Corresponding heritability estimates for maternal effects were 0·06 (s.e. 0·06) and 0·20 (s.e. 0·09) in Gudali cattle and 0·22 (s.e. 0·08) and 0·27 (s.e. 0·12) in Wakwa cattle. Estimates of genetic correlations between direct and maternal effects were negative and substantial for birth weight in Gudali (0·86) and Wakwa (-0·93) and for weaning weight in Gudali (-0·68). The estimate for weaning weight in Wakwa (-0·39) was lower. It was evident from the results that selection on individual performance was likely to yield substantial genetic progress in these traits. Although heritability estimates for maternal effects were low, the negative direct-maternal genetic relationships indicated that selection for these traits should not ignore the maternal component.

Three hundred and thirty (330) records from 363 lactations and 104 cows born between 1979 and 1991 from crossbreeding Holstein-Friesian (H) bulls with H, Ngaoundere Gudali (G) and Holstein × Gudali F1 (H1G1) cows, Montbeliard (M) bulls with G and Montbeliard × Gudali Fl (M1G1) cows and M1G1 bulls with M1G1 cows and raised in the Dairy Herd Unit of the Wakwa Animal and Veterinary Research Station in the sub-humid highlands of Cameroon were analysed to investigate the effects of genotype and environment on lactation and reproductive traits. Fixed effects of genotype season and year of calving parity and age of cow at calving were studied. Lactation milk yield (LMY), lactation length (LL), annualized milk production (AMP), calving interval (C1), dry period (DP) and age at first calving (AFC) were amongst the traits analysed. F1 crosses (H1G1, M1G1), backcrosses (¾ Holstein — ¼ Gudali; ¾ Montbeliard — ¼ Gudali) (H3G1, M3G1) and F2 crosses (MGF2) were compared. Results showed that H1G1 cows were proportionately 0·49 and 0·23 better than their corresponding backcross in LMY and AMP, respectively, while M1G1 cows were proportionately 0·12 and 0·24 inferior to M3G1 in these traits. M1G1 were proportionately superior to MGF2 in LMY (0·05), AMP (-0·04) and AFC (-0·14). M3G1 were superior (0·18 to 0·19) to MGF2 in LMY and AMP. H1G1 were consistently superior to M1G1 for most traits, suggesting that H1G1 may be better than M1G1 for dairy production.

SUMMARYThe objective of this paper was to compile the available information in the conventional and non-conventional literature on the origin, distribution, ecological settings, utility, husbandry practices and production systems of the Gudali, a West and Central African shorthorned zebu which is similar in conformation, size and origin to the East African shorthorned zebu. These animals are reputed not only for their beef and dairy qualities. but also for their hardiness to the harsh northerly environments. Under the prevailing circumstances in the pastoral systems, natural selection is the primary force affecting any genetic change and, as a result, animals tend to perform relatively poorly. Most of the documented studies have been limited in scope and applicability. Therefore, further studies are needed to adequately characterize these animals under their different production systems.