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CONSERVATION AND UTILIZATION OF BEEF CATTLE GENETIC RESOURCES IN JAPAN

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2011

Taro Obata
Affiliation:
NationaI Institute of Animal Industry(NIAIj Dept. of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Tsukuba, Ibarab 305, JAPAN
Masahiro Satoh
Affiliation:
NationaI Institute of Animal Industry(NIAIj Dept. of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Tsukuba, Ibarab 305, JAPAN
Hisato Takeda
Affiliation:
NationaI Institute of Animal Industry(NIAIj Dept. of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Tsukuba, Ibarab 305, JAPAN
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Summary

There are four cattle beef breeds in Japan: Japanese Black, Japanese Brawn, Japanese Poll and Japanese Shorthorn. These breeds were crossed with European breeds in the early 1900's. As a result of introducing European blood, Japanese beef cattle have an expanded and more diverse gene pool. Furthermore, both the breed used for crossing and the selection criteria employed varied significantly from prefecture to prefecture Consequently, a number of distinct strains have been established. At present, however, the genetic diversity is becoming increasingly concentrated around a limited number of strains noted for their superior meat quality. From the genetic conservation view point, it is necessary to stock minor strains by frozen semen and embryos for future domands of genetic resources. This paper discusses the conservation and current utilization of beef cattle genetic resources in Japan.

Resume

Au Japon il existe 4 races de bovins. Ces races ont été croisées avec des races européennes au début de ce siècle. Avec l'introduction des races européennes, les races bovines à viande japonaises présentent un pool génétique plus diversifié et étendu. En outre, les races utilisées pour les.croisements et les critères de sélection appliqués étaient différents d'une région à l'autre. Par conséquent“on a obtenu nombreuses souches différentes. Actuellement, cependant, la diversité génétique se centre principalement autour d'un nombre limité de souches, connues par la qualité supérieure de leur viande. Du point de vue de la conservation génétique, il est nécessaire de conserver, à travers la congélation de semence et d'embryons, les lignes moins intéressantes du point de vue commercial mais utiles pour une future demande de ressources génétiques. Cet article analyse la conservation et l'utilisation courante des ressources génétiques des bovins à viande au Japon.

Type
Research Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 1995

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References

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