Genetic Background of Cattle Temperament

A Short Review

Abstract

Animal temperament describes behavioural differences between individuals that are consistent over time and across different circumstances. Knowledge of the animal's temperament has a major effect on the safety of handling and caring for the animals as well as on the adaptation of the animals to changing rearing conditions. To understand animal temperament, we need to know not only the genetic basis of temperament, but also the influence of the environment on its expression. Similarly the temperament of dairy cows can be defined as the animal's response to environmental or social stimuli. In this review article, chromosomes with genomic regions containing QTLs, genes and candidate genes responsible for the expression of temperament traits in cattle are presented. Knowledge of the genetic background of temperament expression in cattle and its variability in these traits allows temperament to be included in the selection index.