Review: Cross-breeding, advanced reproductive technologies, and genetic selection in twelve dairy production systems in Africa

The supply and demand for milk in Africa have been rising due to factors such as population growth, urbanization, increasing incomes, and improved living standards. Dairy production significantly impacts the economic and social development of African countries, contributing over 10% to the agricultu...

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Main Authors: E.K. Kathambi, T.S. Sonstegard, P.A. Larsen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-03-01
Series:Animal
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1751731125000072
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author E.K. Kathambi
T.S. Sonstegard
P.A. Larsen
author_facet E.K. Kathambi
T.S. Sonstegard
P.A. Larsen
author_sort E.K. Kathambi
collection DOAJ
description The supply and demand for milk in Africa have been rising due to factors such as population growth, urbanization, increasing incomes, and improved living standards. Dairy production significantly impacts the economic and social development of African countries, contributing over 10% to the agricultural gross domestic product in countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania. The ongoing development of the African dairy industry can be attributed, to a certain extent, to the utilization of cross-breeding strategies and advanced reproductive technologies such as artificial insemination, embryo transfer, and the implementation of genomic selection programs. This review evaluates historical dairy breeding practices in twelve African countries and examines the use of advanced breeding tools to enhance and sustain cattle breeding programs across Africa. Eighteen cases from twelve African countries are reviewed to highlight the successes and reported positive impacts on dairy production, revenue, livelihoods, and genetic diversity. We have pinpointed the challenges of integrating new breeding approaches and technologies for African dairy programs, such as insufficient funding, low return on investment in biotechnology, poor monitoring and evaluation of breeding programs, and lack of developed legal frameworks on biotechnological operations. We have recommended strategies to overcome these barriers that may be employed in dairy systems to improve the adoption of breeding technologies across the region.
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spelling doaj-art-094e2cac24544d179f199936f185be212025-08-20T03:11:33ZengElsevierAnimal1751-73112025-03-0119310142410.1016/j.animal.2025.101424Review: Cross-breeding, advanced reproductive technologies, and genetic selection in twelve dairy production systems in AfricaE.K. Kathambi0T.S. Sonstegard1P.A. Larsen2Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA; Corresponding author.AcceligenTM, 3388 Mike Collins Dr. Eagan, MN 55121, USADepartment of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USAThe supply and demand for milk in Africa have been rising due to factors such as population growth, urbanization, increasing incomes, and improved living standards. Dairy production significantly impacts the economic and social development of African countries, contributing over 10% to the agricultural gross domestic product in countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania. The ongoing development of the African dairy industry can be attributed, to a certain extent, to the utilization of cross-breeding strategies and advanced reproductive technologies such as artificial insemination, embryo transfer, and the implementation of genomic selection programs. This review evaluates historical dairy breeding practices in twelve African countries and examines the use of advanced breeding tools to enhance and sustain cattle breeding programs across Africa. Eighteen cases from twelve African countries are reviewed to highlight the successes and reported positive impacts on dairy production, revenue, livelihoods, and genetic diversity. We have pinpointed the challenges of integrating new breeding approaches and technologies for African dairy programs, such as insufficient funding, low return on investment in biotechnology, poor monitoring and evaluation of breeding programs, and lack of developed legal frameworks on biotechnological operations. We have recommended strategies to overcome these barriers that may be employed in dairy systems to improve the adoption of breeding technologies across the region.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1751731125000072Artificial inseminationDairy cattleEmbryo transferIn vitro fertilizationMultiple ovulation
spellingShingle E.K. Kathambi
T.S. Sonstegard
P.A. Larsen
Review: Cross-breeding, advanced reproductive technologies, and genetic selection in twelve dairy production systems in Africa
Animal
Artificial insemination
Dairy cattle
Embryo transfer
In vitro fertilization
Multiple ovulation
title Review: Cross-breeding, advanced reproductive technologies, and genetic selection in twelve dairy production systems in Africa
title_full Review: Cross-breeding, advanced reproductive technologies, and genetic selection in twelve dairy production systems in Africa
title_fullStr Review: Cross-breeding, advanced reproductive technologies, and genetic selection in twelve dairy production systems in Africa
title_full_unstemmed Review: Cross-breeding, advanced reproductive technologies, and genetic selection in twelve dairy production systems in Africa
title_short Review: Cross-breeding, advanced reproductive technologies, and genetic selection in twelve dairy production systems in Africa
title_sort review cross breeding advanced reproductive technologies and genetic selection in twelve dairy production systems in africa
topic Artificial insemination
Dairy cattle
Embryo transfer
In vitro fertilization
Multiple ovulation
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1751731125000072
work_keys_str_mv AT ekkathambi reviewcrossbreedingadvancedreproductivetechnologiesandgeneticselectionintwelvedairyproductionsystemsinafrica
AT tssonstegard reviewcrossbreedingadvancedreproductivetechnologiesandgeneticselectionintwelvedairyproductionsystemsinafrica
AT palarsen reviewcrossbreedingadvancedreproductivetechnologiesandgeneticselectionintwelvedairyproductionsystemsinafrica