Exploring Meiotic Recombination and Its Potential Benefits in South African Beef Cattle: A Review
Meiotic recombination is a key evolutionary process that generates novel allele combinations during prophase I of meiosis, promoting genetic diversity and enabling the selection of desirable traits in livestock breeding. Although its molecular mechanisms are well-characterised in model organisms suc...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Veterinary Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/7/669 |
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| author | Nozipho A. Magagula Keabetswe T. Ncube Avhashoni A. Zwane Bohani Mtileni |
| author_facet | Nozipho A. Magagula Keabetswe T. Ncube Avhashoni A. Zwane Bohani Mtileni |
| author_sort | Nozipho A. Magagula |
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| description | Meiotic recombination is a key evolutionary process that generates novel allele combinations during prophase I of meiosis, promoting genetic diversity and enabling the selection of desirable traits in livestock breeding. Although its molecular mechanisms are well-characterised in model organisms such as humans and mice, studies in African indigenous cattle, particularly South African breeds, remain scarce. Key regulators of recombination, including <i>PRDM9</i>, <i>SPO11</i>, and <i>DMC1</i>, play essential roles in crossover formation and genome stability, with mutations in these genes often linked to fertility defects. Despite the Bonsmara and Nguni breeds’ exceptional adaptability to arid and resource-limited environments, little is known about how recombination contributes to their unique genetic architecture and adaptive traits. This review synthesises the current knowledge on the molecular basis of meiotic recombination, with a focus on prophase I events and associated structural proteins and enzymes. It also highlights the utility of genome-wide tools, particularly high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for recombination mapping. By focusing on the underexplored recombination landscape in South African beef cattle, this review identifies key knowledge gaps. It outlines how recombination studies can inform breeding strategies aimed at enhancing genetic improvement, conservation, and the long-term sustainability of local beef production systems. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-94dd6bd66e62405ba842a593f59ea1f1 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2306-7381 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Veterinary Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-94dd6bd66e62405ba842a593f59ea1f12025-08-20T03:32:28ZengMDPI AGVeterinary Sciences2306-73812025-07-0112766910.3390/vetsci12070669Exploring Meiotic Recombination and Its Potential Benefits in South African Beef Cattle: A ReviewNozipho A. Magagula0Keabetswe T. Ncube1Avhashoni A. Zwane2Bohani Mtileni3Department of Animal Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0001, South AfricaDepartment of Animal Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0001, South AfricaDepartment of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria 0002, South AfricaDepartment of Animal Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0001, South AfricaMeiotic recombination is a key evolutionary process that generates novel allele combinations during prophase I of meiosis, promoting genetic diversity and enabling the selection of desirable traits in livestock breeding. Although its molecular mechanisms are well-characterised in model organisms such as humans and mice, studies in African indigenous cattle, particularly South African breeds, remain scarce. Key regulators of recombination, including <i>PRDM9</i>, <i>SPO11</i>, and <i>DMC1</i>, play essential roles in crossover formation and genome stability, with mutations in these genes often linked to fertility defects. Despite the Bonsmara and Nguni breeds’ exceptional adaptability to arid and resource-limited environments, little is known about how recombination contributes to their unique genetic architecture and adaptive traits. This review synthesises the current knowledge on the molecular basis of meiotic recombination, with a focus on prophase I events and associated structural proteins and enzymes. It also highlights the utility of genome-wide tools, particularly high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for recombination mapping. By focusing on the underexplored recombination landscape in South African beef cattle, this review identifies key knowledge gaps. It outlines how recombination studies can inform breeding strategies aimed at enhancing genetic improvement, conservation, and the long-term sustainability of local beef production systems.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/7/669evolutionmeiosismolecular geneticssexual reproductionrecombination |
| spellingShingle | Nozipho A. Magagula Keabetswe T. Ncube Avhashoni A. Zwane Bohani Mtileni Exploring Meiotic Recombination and Its Potential Benefits in South African Beef Cattle: A Review Veterinary Sciences evolution meiosis molecular genetics sexual reproduction recombination |
| title | Exploring Meiotic Recombination and Its Potential Benefits in South African Beef Cattle: A Review |
| title_full | Exploring Meiotic Recombination and Its Potential Benefits in South African Beef Cattle: A Review |
| title_fullStr | Exploring Meiotic Recombination and Its Potential Benefits in South African Beef Cattle: A Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring Meiotic Recombination and Its Potential Benefits in South African Beef Cattle: A Review |
| title_short | Exploring Meiotic Recombination and Its Potential Benefits in South African Beef Cattle: A Review |
| title_sort | exploring meiotic recombination and its potential benefits in south african beef cattle a review |
| topic | evolution meiosis molecular genetics sexual reproduction recombination |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/7/669 |
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