Red Maasai sheep are a fat-tailed breed indigenous to East Africa and are primarily raised by the nomadic Maasai herders, as well as pastoral and smallholder farmers in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. These sheep are valued for their relatively large frame and ability to resist intestinal worm infections and are predominantly kept for their meat.
The Red Maasai breed exhibits favourable local adaptation, thriving well in arid and hot conditions. Due to this evolutionary advantage, numerous programs have utilized the Red Maasai for crossbreeding purposes. A popular cross involves the Red Maasai sheep and the ‘exotic’ Dorper, known for its good carcass quality, with the resulting crossbred individuals outperforming purebred ones from either species.
At the heart of the research conducted at the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH) lies the objective of identifying genetic markers that support local adaptations, especially those related to drought tolerance and infection resistance. In the upcoming second phase of CTLGH research, for which the centre has secured funding, the small ruminants pillar will focus on studying the unique genome of the Red Maasai sheep. This will enhance the mapping of genetic resources, supporting studies on East African sheep populations and providing genomic resources, capturing their unique genetic diversity, for the development of genetic tools. These tools can later be utilized in breeding programs by our downstream partners.
Investigating the genome of local breeds and populations is crucial for developing a comprehensive understanding of the genetic drivers of local adaptation. Understanding the origins and evolution of breeds and populations has significant implications for future genetic research and the development of genetic tools. Genomic analysis and mapping of genomic lineages allow scientists to identify genetic markers unique to population- and/or breed-specific adaptations. Knowing these markers enables the development of genetic tools and selective breeding, maximizing productivity, and ultimately promoting more sustainable livestock production systems.
While improving our understanding, local adaptation is a key consideration in selecting a breed for our studies, we must also take into account the end user. CTLGH may not directly engage with the farmers and breeders who benefit from our research, but understanding their needs and demands is vital. Neglecting this aspect could lead to reluctance to adopt the breeding programs or utilise the genetic tools we develop in collaboration with our downstream partners. In the case of the Red Maasai, we acknowledge that they may not be the most productive breed, but they hold great cultural significance to the Maasai people. These sheep have been essential to their local way of life for generations, making it imperative for us to preserve populations, conserve genetic diversity, and seek opportunities to optimize their attributes rather than replace the breed.
CTLGH is first and foremost a genetic research centre, but we are acutely aware of the importance of considering the entire process of implementing genetic improvements. From research conducted within the CTLGH partner institutes to the creation of an accessible genetic database, the development of genetic tools and breeding programs, and ultimately the utilization by farmers and breeders, every step is critical if we want to maximize the update of the end product. Understanding the needs of our partners and users is important for our mission, which is why we are enthusiastic about conducting research into this important local East African breed.
With funding from the Roslin Foundation, scientists at ILRI and the Roslin Institute, through the CTLGH partnership, are generating a reference quality genome assembly for the Red Maasai sheep. High-quality reference genomes are important resources that can inform livestock breeding, conserve, and characterise genetic diversity, and improve our understanding of genome function. Generating a reference quality assembly for the Red Maasai, an indigenous breed of sheep of relevance to pastoral and smallholder production in East Africa, will provide valuable resources to study genome function and genetic variation, link this variation to local adaptation and inform the design of breeding and management programs and new genotyping tools. It will also ensure that the unique genetic diversity represented by sheep breeds from Eastern Africa is included in the global pangenome efforts for sheep.
