Project Title: Characterization of general and mastitis susceptibility genetic background for Latvia’s (indigenous) local breeds of ruminants

Project No: lzp-2019/1-0075

Period: 1 January 2020 – 31 December 2022

Project costs: 300 000.00 EUR

Principal Investigator: Dr. med. vet. Anda Valdovska

Collaboration: Dr. biol. Dāvids Fridmanis (Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre)

Summary

The aim of the project is genetic characterization of four local ruminant breeds (Latvijas Brūnā, Latvijas Zilā, Latvijas Vietējā Kaza, Latvijas Tumšgalve) and employment of acquired data for further in-depth analysis of genetic factors to introduce supplements to the evoluation of the animal health index for the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources. Selected tasks – Pedigree analysis for animals from local ruminant breeds; biological sample collection; identification of animals with mastitis susceptibility; whole genome resequencing for selected animals with the target coverage of 35x and of 13x. A workshop will be organised for Latvia’s local breed breeding association, specialists of Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Data Centre, Artificial insemination stations on recommendations in breeding programmes as well as reports will be prepared to improve genetic evaluation of breeding animals. The information, knowlwdge and recommendations obtained will be disseminated in the form of defended masters’ work, scientific publications, with presentations in local and international scientific conferences.

Information published 02.01.2020.