Artificial insemination, breeding value estimation and genomic selection have allowed for substantial increases in milk and component yields for Holstein cows. However, the widespread use of these tools has also led to challenges, including declining fertility, the emergence of recessive genetic conditions and a loss of genetic diversity: More than 99% of Holstein bulls born using artificial insemination in the last decade trace their male lineage to just two bulls born in the 1960s.

Efforts to reconstitute two lost male lineages by scientists from the Pennsylvania State University department of animal science and the National Animal Germplasm Program (NAGP) were reported in a recent article in the Journal of Dairy Science, published by Elsevier and FASS Inc.

"Introgression of genetic diversity from such lineages into modern Holsteins is a long-term prospect with no guarantee of success," said Dr. Chad Dechow, Penn State associate professor of dairy cattle genetics. "Nevertheless, these lines demonstrate the possibility of using semen from the 1950s to reintroduce lost genetic variation."

Because the Y chromosome is passed only through males, these reconstituted lines will allow expanded research into Y chromosome variation and function.

Two lines were identified for reconstitution from semen samples in the NAGP repository: the Netherland Prince line shares no known common male ancestors with the two most common Holstein lines; the Colantha line does not share a common male ancestor after the 1890s. Six calves were born to the Colantha lineage and nine calves were born to the Netherland Prince lineage at the Penn State Dairy Production Research & Teaching Facility. One generation of mating the lost-lineage bulls to elite modern females was sufficient to update the lost lineages to near the breed average for most traits.

The breadth of the U.S. Holstein germplasm collection facilitated the introgression of the lost Y chromosomes. Only time will tell whether the collection will have the same utility for yet-unknown issues that emerge, the announcement said.