The Role of Genetics in Understanding and Improving Heat Tolerance in Tropical African Livestock

Publication Type

Journal Article

Publication Date (Issue Year)

2025

Journal Name

Animal Science Cases

Abstract

Heat stress (HS) causes a decline in the productivity of livestock through reduced dry matter intake, decreased reproduction rate and adverse effects on the physiological state (e.g., respiration rate, rectal temperature, heart rates, pulse rates, panting score, sweating rates, and drooling score). Indigenous breeds have higher tolerance to HS than their exotic counterparts. However, indigenous breeds have low productivity. Therefore, genetically improving the heat tolerance of high-producing livestock breeds in Africa can enhance animal welfare and reduce production losses during HS conditions. Identifying and measuring appropriate phenotypic indicators of heat tolerance and understanding the genetic basis are very important steps for breeding heat-tolerant animals that are highly adaptable to the climatic conditions in Africa. This case study highlights recent advances on heat tolerance in livestock reared in tropical countries with a focus on Africa, the challenges faced by African countries in estimating the genetic value of heat-tolerant livestock and indicate the future directions for heat tolerance studies in Africa. Moreover, the case study reports genes that have been shown to influence heat tolerance in livestock and discusses the possibility of using them in genomic selection programs.

Keywords

Genetics, Heat tolerance, Livestock

Rsif Scholar Name

Vincent Habimana

Rsif Scholar Nationality

Rwanda

Cohort

Cohort 3

Thematic Area

Food security and Agribusiness

Africa Host University (AHU)

Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Tanzania

Funding Statement

This case study was funded by the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF) of the Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering, and Technology (PASET) (Project Grant Number: P165581) granted to the Centre of Excellence for Infectious Diseases of Humans and Animals in Southern and East Africa (SACIDS-ACE) at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA). VH is a recipient of an RSIF-PASET doctoral scholarship at SUA and ILRI

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