Genetic Selection for Thermotolerance in Ruminants

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Climate Change Adaptation
• Livestock Genetics

Background:

• Climatic variables like temperature and humidity negatively affect livestock growth, reproduction, and production.
• Heat stress causes significant global financial losses in livestock production.
• Current mitigation strategies (environmental modifications, nutritional interventions) are often short-term, costly, and unsustainable.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review genetic selection and breeding approaches for enhancing thermotolerance in ruminants.
• To highlight sustainable heat abatement strategies for ruminant production systems.
• To address the challenges posed by global warming-induced heat stress in livestock.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on ruminant physiology and heat stress.
• Analysis of genetic selection and breeding tools for thermotolerance.
• Discussion of sustainable heat abatement strategies and environmental matching.

Main Results:

• Genetic selection and breeding are presented as a sustainable approach to mitigate heat stress.
• Understanding ruminant acclimation physiology is crucial for effective breeding programs.
• Integrating genetic improvements with appropriate environmental management is key.

Conclusions:

• Breeding ruminants for enhanced thermotolerance is vital for sustainable livestock production.
• Knowledge of physiology and breeding tools can minimize heat stress effects.
• This approach contributes to ensuring global protein food security amidst climate change.