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Chinese Livestock and Poultry Breeding ›› 2026, Vol. 22 ›› Issue (8): 68-78.doi: 10.19543/j.cnki.1673-4556.20260707.002cstr: 32418.14.j.cnki.1673-4556.20260707.002

• Germplasm Utilization • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Study on the current situation of genetic resources and identification of germplasm characteristics of Tibetan gray cattle

Suolang Quji1,2, Pubu Zhandui1,2, Bin Li1,2, Silang Wangmu1,2, Dongxu Wen1,2, Li Zhao1,2, Gama Yangzong3, Ciren Luobu1,2, Xiaoying Chen1,2, Ma Ni1,2, Xire Qiangma1,2, Dawa1,2, Zhaxi Jiancan4, Laba Ciren5, Nan Zhang5, Yi Ma6, Ningbo Chen7   

  1. 1. Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Tibet Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lhasa, 850009, Xizang
    2. Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lhasa, 850009, Xizang
    3. Comprehensive Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Service Center of Langkazi, Langkazi, 851100, Xizang
    4. Comprehensive Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Service Center of Dalong Town, Langkazi, 851100, Xizang
    5. Animal Husbandry Station of Tibet Autonomous Region, Lhasa, 850000, Xizang
    6. Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Tianjin, 300192
    7. College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi
  • Received:2026-03-24 Online:2026-08-26 Published:2026-07-31

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Abstract:

Objective To evaluate the resource status, germplasm characteristics and development potential of Tibetan gray cattle, and thereby clarify their status as an independent genetic resource. Method This study focused on Shannan City as the research scope, and conducted investigations and analysis of the cattle. In September-October of 2023, the team completed field surveys, data collection, body measurement, production performance investigation, and combined with molecular genetic analysis by integrating genomic data of 98 Tibetan cattle. Result The results showed that the core distribution area of Tibetan gray cattle is located in Langkazi and Luozha counties of Shannan City, as well as Bailang, Dingjie and Kangma counties of Shigatse City, Tibet Autonomous Region, with an average altitude exceeding 4000 meter above sea level. The population size was approximately 3100 head at the end of 2021. Tibetan gray cattle are characterized by a distinctive iron-gray or bluish-gray coat color. Phenotypically, they exhibit predominantly white facial markings, white horns with black tips and a robust body conformation. Moreover, they possess strong adaptability to cold climates, efficient utilization of coarse forage resources and remarkable tolerance to high-altitude environments. Morphometric analyses revealed significant differences (P < 0.05) in body height, body length, bust and shank circumference among different age groups. Production performance evaluation indicated that the average daily milk yield of Tibetan gray cattle was 3.60 kilogram, ranging from 1.50 to 9.00 kilogram per day. Population genetic analyses based on 104339970 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphisms demonstrated that Tibetan gray cattle formed a stable monophyletic lineage with a relatively homogeneous and stable genetic composition. Furthermore, the population exhibited high genetic consistency within the breed and clear genetic differentiation from other Tibetan cattle populations, supporting its status as a genetically distinct population with an independent genetic structure. These findings demonstrate that Tibetan gray cattle possess a unique genetic background and an independent population genetic structure, supporting their recognition as a distinct indigenous cattle genetic resource on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Conclusion The research has clarified the distribution area, population size, phenotypic characteristics and independent genetic traits of the Tibetan gray cattle. It revealed that they face high risks of inbreeding depression, imperfect conservation system and an unoptimized breeding structure.

Key words: Tibetan gray cattle, Resource status, Germplasm characteristics

CLC Number: 

  • S823

Fig. 1

Distribution map of central production areas of Tibetan gray cattle Note: The map comes from the National Geographic Service Information Public Service Platform ( http://bzdt.ch.mnr.gov.cn/)."

Table 1

Sample information statistics of 98 samples"

品种Breeds

原产地

Origins

 样本数No. of samples

数据来源

Data sources
定结牛Dingjie Cattle 西藏 43 PRJNA905718; PRJNA1158668
迪庆牛Diqing Cattle 云南 9 PRJNA905718
浪卡子牛Langkazi Cattle 西藏 10 PRJNA1158668
日喀则牛Shigatse Cattle 西藏 5 PRJNA905718
昌都牛Changdu Cattle 西藏 7 PRJNA379859
樟木牛Zhangmu Cattle 西藏 2 PRJNA597241
玉树黄牛Yushu Yellow Cattle 青海 22 PRJNA905718

Table 2

Population stock size of Tibetan gray cattle in 2021"

序号No. 县County 存栏Stock size/头
1 浪卡子县 1100
2 洛扎县 780
3 白朗县 710
4 定结县 830
5 康马县 750
合计Total 3100

Fig. 2

Head and rump characteristics of Tibetan gray cattle Note: The author 's team took photos in Linxi Community, Dalong Town, Langkazi County, Shannan City, Xizang Autonomous Region."

Fig. 3

Tibetan gray cattle"

Table 3

Body measurement indicators of Tibetan gray cattle"

指标Index 公牛Bull 母牛Cow
青年期（1～3岁） 成年期（>3岁） 幼年期（0～1岁） 青年期（1～3岁） 成年期（>3岁）
调查头数Number/头 8 4 5 20 63
体高Body height/cm 94.13±6.90 103.50±1.29 73.20±4.15 95.30±6.30 105.02±8.89
体长Body length/cm 105.38±13.27 126.00±14.02 72.40±6.02 105.90±10.48 118.94±12.66
胸围Bust/cm 133.00±15.51 155.38±15.32 91.40±6.27 131.28±10.05 149.79±10.99
管围Shank circumference/cm 15.75±3.88 17.00±2.16 11.60±2.07 14.13±2.26 15.33±2.78

Table 4

Normality and homogeneity of variance tests of body measurements for Tibetan gray cattle by age"

指标

Index

组别

Group

 均值 ± 标准差 Mean±SD

偏度

Skewness

峰度

Kurtosis

 正态性检验 S-W P 方差齐性 Levene P
体高Body height/cm 幼年期（0～1岁） 73.20 ± 4.15 -0.971 -0.473 0.390 0.067
青年期（1～3岁） 94.96 ± 6.37 -0.244 -0.992 0.291
成年期（>3岁） 104.93 ± 8.63 -0.073 -0.264 0.870
体长Body length/cm 幼年期（0～1岁） 72.40 ± 6.02 2.049 4.398 0.015 0.210
青年期（1～3岁） 105.75 ± 11.09 -0.010 -0.928 0.600
成年期（>3岁） 119.37 ± 12.74 0.237 -0.324 0.586
胸围Bust/cm 幼年期（0～1岁） 91.40 ± 6.27 -0.489 -1.764 0.651 0.391
青年期（1～3岁） 131.77 ± 11.58 0.283 1.717 0.324
成年期（>3岁） 150.12 ± 11.22 -0.113 -0.597 0.577
管围Shank circumference/cm 幼年期（0～1岁） 11.60 ± 2.07 1.447 1.931 0.171 0.747
青年期（1～3岁） 14.59 ± 2.84 1.607 2.061 0.000
成年期（>3岁） 15.43 ± 2.77 1.878 3.143 0.000

Table 5

Non-parametric tests of body measurements for Tibetan gray cattle by age"

指标Index

幼年期（0～1岁）

Childhood (0~1 years)

青年期（1～3岁）

Adolescence(1~3 years)

成年期（>3岁）

Adulthood (> 3 years)

 H P
体高Body height/cm 75 (69, 76.5) 95(90, 101) 105 (99, 110) 35.472 < 0.001***
体长Body length/cm 70 (69, 77) 106 (96.25, 115) 119 (110, 128) 31.351 < 0.001***
胸围Bust/cm 93 (85, 97) 132 (123.5, 139) 150 (140, 158) 44.330 < 0.001***
管围Shank circumference/cm 11 (10, 13.5) 13.25 (13, 15.75) 15 (14, 16) 13.899 < 0.001***

Table 6

Statistics of daily milk yield of Tibetan gray cattle at different ages"

牛只年龄

Age/岁

测定头数

Number/头

最小值

Min/kg

最大值

Max/kg

平均日产奶量

Average daily milk production /kg

标准差

SD
合计 69 1.5 9 3.60 0.96
3 7 2 5 3.43 0.98
4～6 38 1.5 9 3.58 1.15
>6 24 2.5 5 3.67 0.60

Fig. 4

Population genetic structure and kinship of Tibetan cattle"

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