ABSTRACT: Domestic cattle breeds are classified in two subspecies: Bos taurus taurus, which have an european origin and Bos taurus indicus, the zebuines, originated in India. The main phenotypic difference between them is the presence of the hump, observed in the zebuines and absent in taurines. In addition, the sexual Y chromosome has been considered as a marker for these subspecies. Animals that have a submetacentric or metacêntrico Y chromosome are considered as Bos taurus taurus and those with acrocentric Y chromosome are typically zebuine animals (Bos taurus indicus). On the other hand it is known that the Y-chromosome possesses genes related to spermatogenesis and consequently to reproductive fitness. The objective of this review was the Y-chromosome... |