УДК 636.2.034:636.082:636.018:591.176

IDENTIFICATION OF SOME DAIRY BREEDS AND RELATION GROUPS OF CATTLE ON DERMATOGLYPHICAL PATTERN OF NASOLABIAL MIRROR

G.S. Lozovaya1, Yu.V. Arzhankova2

In three cattle breeds (Black-and-White, Airshir, Red Estonian) the authors investigated the frequency of different types of dermatoglyphical patterns of nasolabial mirror and compared the photographic prints of nasolabial surface in connection with relation degree of animals.

Key words: nasal mirror, dermatoglyphics, image type of nasal mirror (branch, ear crown, grain, combo).

 

Dermoglyphical patterns of nasolabial mirror of cattle were described even in antic Greek and Arab literature (1), but the first scientific works on this issue were published in the early XX century. In 1920 – 1937, the subject was widely studied in Austria, Britain, Germany and Japan. Dermatoglyphical patterns of nasolabial mirror, or the “nasal mirror”, as it was named by AK Kadiev (2), were also studied in Russia by S.G. Davidoff (3). The number of later works is small (4, 5), but the issue became of particular interest again at the end of XX century, in connection with numerous investigations on human fingerprints in criminology, anthropology, psychology, etc.
The purpose of our work was studying the dermatoglyphical patterns of nasolabial mirrors in cattle of different breeds and related groups.
Methods. The observations were carried out in herds of the farms “Velikioluksoye”, "Udrayskoe" (Velikolukskij district) and “Rodina” (Novosokolnicheskij district) in Pskov region. 356 cows of the breeds: Black-and-White, Ayrshire and Red Estonian were selected for the experiment.
To study similarities of nasolabial surface in animals depending on their relationship degree, the photographs were analyzed in the pairs: "sister-sister" (daughters of one father), "sister-sister" (daughters of one mother), “mother-daughter” and in the distant relatives "granddaughter-grandfather".
Photo prints were classified using the visual method by A.L. Trofimenko (6), which is based on distribution of furrows and dermal ridges on the entire surface of nasolabial mirror.
Results. Five basic types of dermatoglyphical patterns were identified: "branch", "ear", "crown", "grain" and "combo" (Fig. 1).
Studying photographs, was revealed that regardless of duration and period between photography (several days, adjacent seasons, half a year), the type of dermatoglyphics in cows remained: in the same animals, no pattern disappeared nor arisen a new one.
A comparison of photo prints obtained from one animal at different temperature conditions, has shown the only difference in size of particular elements of a picture. At high temperatures in summer, ridges became thinner, furrows widened. The drops of moisture (sweat glands secret) were formed on the nasolabial surface, at normal and low temperature - on the contrary, ridges were getting thicker, furrows - narrow.

Fig. 1. Basic types of dermatoglyphical patterns of nasolabial mirror in cows: а — «ear», б — «crown», в — «branch», г — «grain», д, е — «combo».

The persistence of a pattern type within a year suggests that nasolabial dermatoglyphics persists throughout the whole life of an animal, which is confirmed by other authors (7, 8).
Some differences in frequency of occurrence of different dermatoglyphical types of nasolabial mirror were found in the studied breeds – Black-and-White, Ayrshire and Red Estonian (Fig. 2).

 

Fig. 2. The frequency of occurrence of different types of dermatoglyphical patterns in the studied cows of the Black-and-White (а), Airshire (б) and Red Estonian (в) dairy breeds of cattle.

Explanation:  а, б, в -
                                        “crown”
                         “combo”              “branch”
                                “grain”        “ear”

In the Red Estonian and Black-and-White breeds, the high frequency of the "branch" pattern was observed (37,0 and 30,9%,  respectively), while in Ayrshire - the "grain" was leading (50,0 %) and the "branch" had the second rate of occurrence (28,5%). In our opinion, the significant proportion of "grained" dermatoglyphical picture is the distinctive feature of the Ayrshire breed; in two other breeds of cattle, this pattern type was found in the least number of individuals (approximately 5% of total).
The Red Estonian breed had the outstanding high occurrence of the "combo" dermatoglyphics (27,8%), while in the Ayrshire and Black-and-White breeds, this pattern was observed in 7,0-18,0% of cows.
In the Black-and-White breed, 27,4% of cows had the "crown" pattern  (the second highest frequency of occurrence in the breed), while in the Red Estonian, this pattern was rare (7,4%) and completely absent in the Ayrshire cattle.
Comparison of distribution of various dermatoglyphical patterns in the Black-and-White cattle in the farms of "Velikiolukskoye" and "Udrayskoe" revealed that it was largely similar (in the both populations, the frequency of each type of pattern was distinct by no more than 4,0-9,0% ). This diversity was also observed owing to the complex set of various interacting factors: historical, genetic, economic.
At the comparison of photo prints of the pairs "sister-sister" (daughters of one father), similarities and differences were revealed both. All daughters of the bull-sire Rimat 22 (n = 9) had the “branch” type of nasolabial mirror, except the cows Tigritsa 9176 ("ear"), Taratora 348 ("ear") and Yasenka 2083 ("combo"). The similar shape of stripes in lateral areas of nasolabial mirror was also found. All the daughters of Rimat 22, except Taratora 348, had white markings of various shapes and sizes over nasolabial surface. Some of his daughters (Tigritsa 9176, Solovka 8208, Tamga 346 and Dalnaya 2066) had light-colored areas on the lower lip, four cows (Chalaya 102, Yasenka 2083, Solovka 8208 and Daln’aya 2066) had depigmented areas of nasolabial mirror. Size, color and shape of dermal ridges in Taratora 348 were different than in the other daughters of Rimat 22.
In daughters of the bull-sire Garl 999915 (n = 14), the higher pattern intensity was observed. Only two of his daughters (Sinitsa 2570 and Saiga 2616) had the pattern of loose type. The pigmentation of nasolabial mirror was dark (except Divnaya 8475 and Quanta 2602, which had lighter areas above the pattern). In 11 daughters, the "crown" type was found; 3 cows were classified as "combo": Agrippina 2751 and Rosh’a 2746 (the "grainy" pattern on the top of nasolabial mirror, and the pronounced lines of the "crown" type – in the bottom), Sinitsa 2570 (a loose pattern with randomly distributed furrows). The particular similarities in form and location of ridges in the central part of a pattern were observed in the cows Arpha 2728, Lady 2784, Istina 2796, Tablitsa 2750 and Basma 2590.
Cows-daughters of the bull-sire Jockey 1326 (n = 12) had dermatoglyphics of different types: 2 - "branch", 4 - "ear", 4 - "grain", 1 - "combo" and 1 - "crown". The direction and shape of ridges and external angles of furrows were different. The cows Beseda 1102 and Repa 9853 had the ovals of similar size which formed the rare classic type of "grain" pattern. The similar color of muzzle was also observed in the cows Lodochka 2166, Kozhitsa 932, Tanagra 548, Dubyna 852, Ravnina 2318 and Kolybel’ 2330, which  had a light area around nasolabial mirror;  Ravnina 2318 and Kolybel’ 2330 also had small light areas on the mirror. All these animals had dark areas of  similar shape and size under nostrils.
Descendants of the bull-sire Stelmach 3279 (n = 7) were very similar to each other: his six daughters had the "branch" type of nasolabial mirror and one (Yuka 838) - "crown". Except Yuka 838, all the cows had  symmetrical distribution of elements of a pattern with few "branches" extending from the main  vertical furrow at an angle of 45° (in Tantsorka 707, Palatka 724, Muha 652 – almost 90° , that is parallel to the upper lip). All the cows had dark colored nasolabial mirrors, except Tantsorka 702 (depigmented zones occupied about half a right side of the mirror, and white markings above it).
56% of cows-daughters of the bull-sire Hanno 999900 (n = 9) had the "branch" type of pattern. The cows Anita 176 and Raskopka 252 had the greatest similarity in shape and direction of ridges.  Ulanka 296 had the pattern of loose structure, while in most of the cows the dense structure with slightly wavy furrows was observed. Symmetry of a pattern was the distinctive feature of the related group (not found only in Abrikoska 23 and Dem'yanka 2652).
Cows-sisters Arenda 2298 and Arpha 2728 (daughters of the cow Amazonka 1) both had  the "crown"  type of dermatoglyphics with very similar direction of furrows, density of a pattern, size and shape of dermal ridges. Though, Arenda 2298 had light markings near the right nostril, while Arpha 2728 had no depigmented areas.
Cows-sisters Lipa 2508 and Krupa 1886 (daughters of the cow Liana 860) also had the similar type of dermatoglyphics - "crown", but the coincidence of configuration of dermal ridges was observed mainly in the bottom area of a pattern.
Cows-sisters Viola 2212 and Tucha 2386 (daughters of the cow Tayna 2314) had the similar ("crown") type of a pattern, shape and direction of "wavy" furrows. The both cows had several small round ridges in the bottom of a pattern, but Viola 2212 had light markings on nasolabial mirror (Tucha 2386 had no ones).
Cows-sisters Tigritsa 340 and Tina 2368 (daughters of the cow Tamara 1920) had many similarities: the "ear" type of a pattern of nasolabial mirror, direction of furrows in the central part of a pattern, typical polygonal ridges and depigmented zones of different sizes and shapes.
Cows-sisters Kozhitsa 932 and Rosh’a 2746 (daughters of the cow Reka 664) were similar in size and shape of dermal ridges in the top of a pattern. Kozhitsa 932 had round ridges across the surface of nasolabial mirror (the "grain" type), Rosh’a 2746 had furrows in the bottom of a pattern (the "crown" type). The influence of their father, the bull-sire Jockey 1326, was manifested in Kozhitsa 932 as the light color of muzzle, while her sister had no ones.
Observation of 3 daughters of the cow Romashka 90 (Raskopka 1204, Rosetka 1798 and Skladka 810) revealed that Raskopka1204 and Rosetka 1798  were very similar  in the type of dermatoglyphics ("combo"), location of furrows, shape of ridges, dark color of nasolabial mirror. Raskopka 1204 inherited from mother the main features atypical for daughters of the bull-sire Jockey1326. Skladka 810 had the clearly pronounced "branch" type of dermatoglyphics with symmetry of a pattern.
In the related group “mother-daughter”, the daughter Tanagra 1116 ("branch") and the mother Tanagra 548 ("crown") had similar long strips in the lateral parts of a pattern, and other similarities -  light color of muzzle, shape and size of dark protrusions under nostrils.
Daughters of the cow Avtocara 434 (Ladon’ 1950 and Agrippina 2751) were not similar to each other, but in some features were similar to their mother. Agrippina 2751 had the "combo" type of dermatoglyphics with "grainy" pattern in the top of nasolabial mirror and "crown" - in the bottom; the direction of furrows was similar to her mother, but the furrows were wavier. In Ladon’ 1950 as well as in her mother, these furrows were more direct. All three cows had no light markings and areas on nasolabial mirror.
At the same time, the cow Burya 103 (daughter of the cow Rastyazhka 2168) had the "branch" type of dermatoglyphical pattern, the configuration and direction of furrows typical for her father, the bull-sire Rimat 22 (as observed in his other daughters). The similarity with Rastyazhka 2168 was restricted to the light-colored marking over the top of nasolabial mirror, which has a different configuration, though.
In the group “mother-daughter” (Rotonda 2228 - Rotonda 647), the significant differences in a pattern type, direction of furrows and configuration of ridges were found. The cow-daughter Rotonda 674, like other daughters of her father - Stelmach 3279, had the “branch” type of pattern with symmetrical lines (her mother - "grain"). The similarity with mother was observed only in the dark color of nasolabial mirror and muzzle, which was also typical for her sisters-in-father. The similar fact was found in another related pair - the cow-mother Rastopka 1338 and her daughter Rastopka 666 (father - Stelmach 3279): Rastopka 666 had the same "branch" type of a pattern and the absence of depigmented zones on nasolabial mirror.
In the related group "granddaughters-grandfather", the cows Rosinka 28 and Martha 230 had some similarity to daughters of their grandfather - the bull-sire Omaar 3542: the "combo" dermatoglyphical pattern, typical for his direct descendants. The cow Marta 230 (daughter of the bull-sire Salto 3870) was distinct from her sisters, but  similar to the grandfather. The cow Riga 842 ("crown") was similar to the grandfather in location of ridges in the lower half of nasolabial mirror.
The cows Lyubimka  382 and  Grusha 745 - granddaughters of the bull-sire Narzan 880 - both had the "ear" type of dermatoglyphics, dark color of nasolabial mirror and direction of furrows. The last feature, to some extent was also typical for the cow Berezka 377 ("crown").
The analysis of dermatoglyphical patterns in close relatives (sister - sister-in-father, sister - sister-in-mother, mother-daughter) revealed similarities of phenotypes (size and shape of ridges, direction of furrows), as well as the identity in color of nasolabial mirror and the nearby area, and configuration of depigmented areas. The frequently inherited features were waviness and location of furrows (symmetric-asymmetric). Apparently, the similar sets of genes provide manifestation of described phenotypes in relatives. As a rule, a descendant inherits some features from each parent rather than the type of a pattern as a whole. Combination of these features forms the dermatoglyphical pattern of nasolabial mirror. In some cases, the phenotype of one parent is mainly manifested - not the individual features, but the similar type of dermatoglyphical pattern and pigmentation of nasolabial mirror. In distant relatives, such as granddaughters of one granddaughter, the less similarity was found: only the particular phenotypes were similar (location and direction of ridges, shape of ridges in particular zones of nasolabial mirror).
We assume that inheritance of dermatoglyphical patterns of nasolabial mirror in offspring can be used in cattle breeding as a marker of animals’ identity and relationship.

REFERENCES

1. Vinnitchuk D., Merezhko P. and Trofimenko O., Uzori nosogubnogo dzerkala koriv. (Dermatoglyphical Patterns of Nasolabila Mirror of Cows), Tvarinnitstvo Ukraini, 1977, no. 2, pp. 34-35.
2. Kadiev A.K., Geneticheskiye testy rosta i molochnoj produktivnosti skota (Genetic Tests for the Growth and Milk Productivity of Cattle), Abstract of Cand. Diss., Kiev, 1974.
3. Davydov S.G., Selectsiya molochnogo skota (Selection of Dairy Cattle), Moscow - Leningrad, 1929.
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6. Trofimenko A.L., Teoreticheskiye i prakticheskiye osnovy fenetiki dermatoglifov nosogubnogo zerkala krupnogo rogatogo skota (Theoretical and Practical Basis of Phenetics of Cattle Nasolabial Mirror Dermatoglyphics), Abstract of Doctoral Diss., Moscow, 1991.
7. Petersen W.E., The Identification of the Bovine by Means of Nose-Prints, Dairy Sci., 1922, vol. 5(3),  pp. 249-258.
8. Pandey S.N., Muzzle Printometry in Bovines, Indian J. Anim. Sci., vol.49(12),  pp. 1038-1042.


1Scientific Research Institure of Animal Breeding, vil. Lesnye Polyany
141200, Moskow reg., Russia
e-mail: vniiplem@mail.ru
2Velikiye Luky State Agrarian Academy, Velikiye Luky 162100, Pskov reg., Russia

Received April 15, 2009