Author(s)

Umar-Faruq Olayinka Bolaji¹, Afees Abiola Ajasa², Ridwan Olawale Ahmed³, Semiu Folaniyi Bello^4*, Obiajulu Emenike Ositanwosu^5,6

¹Department of Animal Production, College of Food Science and Agriculture King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
²Department of Animal Husbandry, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
³Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, USA.
⁴Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guang-zhou, China.
⁵Department of Agricultural Electrification and Automation, College of Mathematics and Informatics, South China Agricultural Univer-sity, Guangzhou, China.
⁶Department of Computer Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.

Cattle are arguably the most important livestock species. Since the beginning of this century, the loss of genetic diversity within this species has been a major concern as this could have serious consequences on the ability of this species to respond to future production constraints. Genetic diversity has traditionally been accessed from pedigree, however, with the advances in molecular genetics new opportunities have emerged. We examined different methods for accessing genetic diversity and estimating genetic diversity parameters at the genomic level. We also examined criteria and strategies for the conservation of animal genetic resources. Finally, we examined genomic studies on some endangered cattle breeds.

Genetic Diversity, Conservation, Genetic Diversity Parameters, Cattle

Bolaji, U. , Ajasa, A. , Ahmed, R. , Bello, S. and Ositanwosu, O. (2021) Cattle Conservation in the 21st Century: A Mini Review. Open Journal of Animal Sciences, 11, 304-332. doi: 10.4236/ojas.2021.112023.