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The expansion of intensive livestock production systems in developing countries has increased the introduction of highly productive exotic breeds facilitating indiscriminate crossbreeding with local breeds. In this study, we set out to investigate the genetic status of the Vietnamese Black H'mong pig breed by evaluating (1) genetic diversity and (2) introgression from exotic breeds. Two exotic breeds, namely Landrace and Yorkshire used for crossbreeding, and the H'mong pig population from Ha Giang (HG) province were investigated using microsatellite markers. Within the province, three phenotypes were observed: a White, a Spotted and a Black phenotype. Genetic differentiation between phenotypes was low (0.5-6.1%). The White phenotypes showed intermediate admixture values between exotic breeds and the Black HG population (0.53), indicating a crossbreed status. Management practices were used to predict the rate of private diversity loss due to exotic gene introgressions. After 60 generations, 100% of Black private alleles will be lost. This loss is accelerated if the admixture rate is increased but can be slowed down if the mortality rate (e.g., recruitment rate) is decreased. Our study showed that a large number of markers are needed for accurately identifying hybrid classes for closely related populations. While our estimate of admixture still seems underestimated, genetic erosion can occur very fast even through indiscriminate crossbreeding.

One study including a survey was undertaken in Ha Giang province from November, 2006 to May, 2007. The objectives of the study were to estimate the distribution of goats in Dong Van, Meo Vac and Hoang Su Phi districts and their phenotypes, performance. It was revealed that there were three breeds of Ha Giang local goats found in our study, they are prolificacy, polled and long hair goats. The phenotypes of coats of Ha Giang local goats were much diversified among and within breeds. There were thee major coats existing: yellow, black and brown. Polled goats were slightly heavier than long hair and prolificacy goats. However, prolificacy Does appeared to have the most prolific goats. The number kid/ litter and number of litter/does/year of prolificacy does were higher than these of polled and long hair does. The dressing and lean meat percentage of polled goats were higher than these of prolificacy and long hair goats.

The Saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis), a new large mammal species, was discovered to science in 1993 and listed as critical endangered. Its systematic position within the family Bovidae, however, remains confused since previous studies have led to several conflicting hypotheses. In the present study, an analysis of microsatellite data was performed to determinate the taxonomic status of this enigmatic species. Cross species amplification of 19 cattle microsatellite loci was tested on a panel of 56 individuals representing 9 different species of the Bovidae. Phylogenetic analyses were carried out on matrices from the Dps and Dc genetic distances using the neighbour-joining method. The results obtained from separate and combined analyses strongly support a grouping of Pseudoryx with subtribe Bubalina, which contains all species of Bubalus and Syncerus.

Mountainous black-bone chickens are characterized by black bones, meat and skin meat from black-bone chickens has been preferred by consumers. Conservation of mountainous black-bone chickens is one way to maintain the animal bio-diversity for H¿mong minority group in the northern mountainous provinces. From the original generation consisted of 200 females and 30 males selected from Xin Man and Dong Van, the first generation was established. From the first generation, a breeding flock consisted 773 birds in 30 households was established. The body weight of hens and cocks at 20 weeks old was 1,266 - 1,218.66 and 1,706.33 - 1,720.67 g, respectively. Selection by feather phenotypes showed that there was a difference in the growth rate among three feather phenotypes. The body weight at one day old of the black, white and striped feather chicken, which was 36.33, 32.70 and 30.07 g, respectively, was not significantly different. However, the body weight at 20 weeks old of the black, white and striped feather chicken, which was 1505.70, 1114.00, 612.10 and 1480.90 g, respectively.

Ha Giang is considered as one of provinces having the richest bio-diversity of animal resources, and was selected by BIODIVA project for a field study aiming at investigation, assessement of bio-charecteristics, bio-diversity of animal breeds, production systems. Factors including potential or hidden factors influencing bio-diversity and risks of losses of animal bio-diversity were also included in the study for seting up a plan on building microprojects, which were aimed at biodiversity protection and development, valorization of local animal genetics resources, increasing income for local people. Interviews and records were made on 1674 households of different ethnic minorities in 251 villages of 37 communes in the province. Information collected during interviews included: current status of household economics, production systems, breeding activities, origin of animals, animal feeding, diseases, vaccination programs and geography information. A total of 7427 animals including buffalos, bulls, cows, pigs, chickens, goats and ducks were used for bio-sampling and describing phenotyes of animals. Bio-samples and phenotypes of animals were further used for a monocular genetic analysis and assessments of phenotype biodiversity. The results of the field study showed that there was a remarkable diversity of phenotypic characteristics and animal¿s genetic resources by topography, ethnic groups in HaGiang province.

Thirty big size buffalo bulls and 900 cows were selected from 220 local bulls and 1,280 local cows through body weight, size, conformation and reproductive performance in 4 communes of Ha Giang province for improving the body weight and growth of local swamp buffalo. Selected bulls were 20% higher than average of the herd in body weight. Buffaloes were divided into 30 groups (1 bull and 30 cows each). Cows were detected estrus every day and mated within group. Birth weight of calves was 23.23 kg for male and 22.18 kg for female. The expected body weight at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months of age were 57.4; 84.3; 148.1 and 246.0 kg for male and 54.8; 82.6; 144.5 and 242.7 for female, respectively. It is concluded that selection of big size bulls with 20% body weight higher than average of herd improved the body weight and growth of calves. Selection of buffalo bulls and cows (especially bulls) should be applied in buffalo production annually; this is a good solution for improving the body size and productivities of local buffaloes.

One of good results of the project was the academic education in combination with research programs and training acivities. The followings were the summary of the project academic education and training activities.

The present study aimed at investigating characteristics of reproduction, growth and meat quality traits of Lung pu pig breed was undertaken. Data collected from 40 sows, 10 boars and 48 fattening Lung Pu pigs in different experiments in Meo Vac and Hoang Su Phi districts, belonging Ha Giang province from 2006 to 2007 were used. It was found out in the survey that Lung Pu pig had the black coat color, except the front, feet and end of the tail; medium to big sizes and a good adaptation to harsh conditions of the high mountain areas of Vietnam. The number born alive (NBA) of first two litters in trails 1 was higher than that of the control groups. The number of weaned pigs (NW), weight at birth (BW) and weaning (WW) had similar tendency as NBA. The average daily gain (ADG) of selected pigs and control groups was 396.75, 20.17 g/day, respectively. The loin area was 22.09 cm2 and lipid percentage was 25.34%. Meat percentage was similar to that of other local pigs. It appeared that selected Lung Pu pigs performed better than unselected Lung Pu pigs (the control groups). Therefore, to get any success in the genetic improvement and/or genetic conservation of Lung Pu pigs, nuclear herds should be established and more training courses for farmers would be necessary.

Seven phenotypic traits have been used to describe phenotypic differentiation between three types of pigs encountered in the remote province of Ha Giang province. Different phenotypes of White and Black pigs were found, however no differentiation between spotted and black pigs was found. The pig from southern district had more a white phenotype while the black and spotted one is encountered in the mountainous area and mainly in Bac-Me district.

During the implementation of the project, based on research results obtained, 75 publications have been publised in 17 peer reviewed and other journals. The project have been also produced 101 short communications and posters, 3 PhD thesises, 10 Master thesises and 15 other products for public awareness.

There are about 100 deer species raising in many countries for venison, velvet and tourist. New Zealand is the biggest exporter of venison and velvet in the world market. Many years ago, venison had known as high valuable food product, high lean meat, and low fat content. Deer velvet is the precious medicine resource for human health. That why the demand of venison and velvet are gradually increasing. Up to now, deer production in Vietnam is just kept for velvet collection. Some studies had been carried out on Sika deer in Vietnam. However, there is no study on deer production for meat purpose. Therefore, a case study was carried out from January to September 2007 in Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces to investigate technical-economic aspects of deer venison, velvet production and trade. Based on the first obtained results bring out recommendations that the best time for velvet harvest and use is at the 45 days old, and preservation of velvet by frozen or dry in electric dried cabinet installed with air-conditioner methods is able to use effectively for velvet production and research enterprises. The result from deer venison carcass shows that the percentages of carcass and de-bone meat are high, which range among 71.5% - 71.62% and 53.17% - 53.32% respectively. Crude protein in venison accounts for from 18.9% to 20.9%. Consumers like most dishes processed from venison because it has lower fat content, softer, better flavor, and sweeter than beef and goat meat. The findings from study also states that venison and velvet production prices are extremely high and almost double compared to those in the world market price, which are $9.09; $12.72; $17.09 and $217.2 per kg live weight, carcass, de-bone meat and velvet, respectively. The main constrains for venison production efficiency are poor breed quality, and high breeding price. Besides, venison service and consumption are still not orthodox by government.

One study with the objective of accessing the genetic diversity of pig populations in Ha Gang province was undertaken. Nineteen microsatellites (FAO) were used to genotype 1053 pig individuals. A total 221 alleles were observed. The mean number of alleles per locus was 11.63 ± 3.18 (maximum in locus Sw2410 and minimum in locus Sw2008). In total population, the average observed heterozygote frequency (Ho) was 0,629 (ranged from 0.473 to 0.737) and expected heterozygote frequency (He) was 0.814 (ranged from 0.730 to 0.914). Inbreeding was indicated by heterozygosity deficiency with mean Fis = 0.228. The genetic differentiation between 4 different groups (white, black, brown and black-white pig) was small with a mean Fst = 0.017. The genetic distance was highest between white pig and three other pig groups (black, brown and black-white). There was no significant genetic variation between black and brown pig group (P>0.05). Among 10 district black pig populations, the average allele per population ranged from 7.62 (Meo Vac) to 10.68 (Xin Man), the Fis value was in a range from 0.215 to 0.323. The phylogenetic tree showed that black pig population formed 3 branches: I (Yen Minh, Quan Ba, Dong Van, Meo Vac and Bac Me district), II (Ha Giang, Vi Xuyen and Quang Binh district), III (Xin Man, Hoang Su Phi district).

The current study aiming at Goat populations in Ha Giang based on microsatellite markers was undertaken. A total of 301 goats from 5 districts in Ha Giang were genotyped for 20 microsatellite markers recommended by FAO. Seventeen of twenty microsatellite markers used in this analysis had four or more alleles with mean number of allele/locus were 7.12. The mean expected heterozygote and the mean observed heterozygote for all populations ranged from 0.22 (SRCRSP7 and INRA063) to 0.63 (OARFCB20) and 0.28 (SRCRSP7) to 0.76 (OARAE54), respectively. The mean Fis of 0.293 showed high inbreeding in Ha Giang goat populations. The mean Fst (0.047) demonstrated that about 95.3% of the total genetic variation was due to the genetic differentiation within each population. A phylogenetic tree based on the Nei (1972) standard genetic distance displayed 3 genetic groups: Dong Van, Meo Vac and Quan Ba, Hoang Su Phi and Xin Man group in the population. The mean Fis values of phenotypic groups (hornless, long-hair and prolific group) ranged from 0.275 to 0.331. Genetic variation (Fst values) between these groups was very small. Conservation of Ha Giang goat populations should be established according to phenotypic characteristics.

In Vietnam, for a number of specific geographical and historical reasons, the mountainous areas have preserved an exceptional diversity of wild and domestic animal species of high socio-economic interest. This endemic genetic diversity fosters a rapid response to environmental change in mostly isolated local communities, and in particular the constant adaptation of ecosystems common to humans, farmed and wild animal populations and pathogens. During a 2-year study carried out in several mountainous regions of North Vietnam near the Chinese border, we surveyed 1,697 breeders in 249 villages and gathered 5,815 biological samples among the 4 main domesticated species of food animals: chickens, cattle, buffaloes and goats. Serological analyses were carried out by ELISA on 726 sera in order to assess the prevalence of antibodies specific to 2 major diseases suspected to be present in the region: avian influenza (AI) and paste des petites ruminants (PPR). The results reported here reveal the presence of antibodies specific to AI, but not the H5N1 highly pathogenic strain, and the presence of antibodies specific to PPR, confirming that this disease never previously described in South East Asia is well present in this region with no mortality and little or no evidence of clinical cases. These are probably situations of co-evaluative epidemiological equilibrium between pathogen populations which may have lost their virulence and animal populations that have acquired genetic resistances over generations, either naturally or through genetic introgression from related wild species better adapted to such pathogens. These results suggest the need for more research, both short-, and more globally, long-term.

One objective of Biodiva project was to measure diversity and to discover new local animal types in Ha Giang province. For above purpose, a survey was carried out to collect data on animal production and biological traits / pictures of buffalo, cattle, goat, pig and chicken in Ha giang province. This study aiming at establishing a management system for the data set by analyzing its structure and setting up suitable software was undertaken. In the study, we also tried to find out special types of local animals and their characteristics by analyzing data sets. The data sets were divided into two parts: the first one was a data set on economic, social features and the second one was a data set on biological characteristics of animal species. The software named VIETBIODIVA was set up to manage the data sets. The analysis of data indicated that Ha giang was rich in animal biodiversity. Several types of pigs such as: black, black with some white on leg, face, tail, belly, brow and 14 teats were found. The brow local pig discovered the first time in Vietnam. Sows with 14 teats were also very rare in Vietnam. Goats in Ha giang were also much diversified in their coats and appearance. Cattle in Ha giang were the biggest cattle among the local cattle breeds in Vietnam. Buffalo in Ha giang can be divided into four types: dark, dark with white spots, white and white with some black spots on the mouth.

Sika deer production in Vietnam has been started since 1920 in Ha Tinh and Nghe An provinces and raised only by rich families. Now Sika deer with of total population of 60 000 heads is raising in 20 provinces. On average, the herd size was small (3-4 heads/family). There was the unique farm where 500 animals are raising. However, no management system had established for Sika deer production. This study aimed to set up a management system for Sika deer production in Ha Tinh and Nghe An. Ear tags made of plastic materials were successfully implemented. A software (Viet deer) and ID system was also developed. It found that nearly 90% of animal was unknown parental, only 4-5% of mating occurred between females in one commune and males in another communes. It meant that there was no planned mating for improvement of deer performance practiced. It is also found that no decrease in velvet production for males which mated with more than 2 females.

This study, which covered 352 villages, 44 communes and 11 districts of Hagiang province with 2.914 chicken and lasted from March 2005 to September 2006, was aimed at evaluating the phenotype diversity of local chicken population in Hagiang province. The results showed that chicken in Hagiang had diversified appearances and were distributed in different ecological conditions. The average mature body weight of chicken was around 1.58 kg and 1.76 kg. All phenotypes were obsevered in high soil mountain and high rocky mountain areas (Dongvan, Meovac, Quangba, Yenminh, Hoangsuphi and Ximan). Feather phenotypes included fuzzy feather, smooth feather and striped feather. Fuzzy feather chicken concentrated on high rock mountain areas. Percentage of fuzzy feather and smooth feather chickens was 16.38 and 17.72% in Dongvan, respectively (the average of Hagiang province was only 4.26% and 3.32% respectively). The special black chicken breed reared by HMong ethnic group (black skin, bone, meat) occupied 4.56% and mainly concentrated in Dongvan and Xinman. There were four types of crest: single, rose, pea and strawberry crests. The percentage of chicken with orange, brown and black eyes was 81.45; 16.90, and 1.65%, respectively. Estimated allele frequencies at locus C for C and c+ were 0.753 and 0.247, respectively. Estimated allele frequencies at locus I for I and i+ were 0.041 and 0.959, respectively. Estimated allele frequencies at locus F for F and f+ were 0.753 and 0.247; at locus H for H and h+ were 0.194 and 0.806 and at locus Pg for Pg and pg+ were 0.883 and 0.117, respectively.

Cattle population in Ha Giang province is a local bovine breed with an unclear origin, located in northern mountainous area of Vietnam. One study aiming at assessing the genetic diversity and genetic structure of this cattle population was undertaken. Twenty-three microsatellites were genotyped for 560 cattle individuals, which were randomly selected from 28 communes of 8 districts. A total 205 alleles were observed in total population. The allelic diversity (average number (±SD) of alleles per locus) was 8.9 ± 2.05. The average observed and expected heterozygosity for the population was 0.67 and 0.73, respectively. The data suggested that exchange of animals between communes occurs at a high level with a mean FST value of 0.013 between communes. The Mantel-test showed that genetic distance increased with geographical distance (R=0.5, P

One study aimed at producing frozen semen pellets with a post thawing progressive motility of 35% or more, was undertaken in Dong Van, Meo Vac, Quan Ba districs - Ha Giang province from March 2007 and November 2007. Five bulls ageing 30-40 months old, weighing 350 kg/head, with normal reproductive organs and a high libido, were chosen for the study. Two medium: VCN (medium 1) and Thai binh Research Centre (medium 2) were used. After training, semen was collected and checked for volume, color, smell, progressive motility, sperm concentration, morphology, pH) Frozen semen after thawing was also checked for the progressive motility. It was shown that four of five bulls chosen met the standard of breeding bulls according to Vietnamese standard of semen quality for breeding bulls (TCVN2002). Volume, concentration of collected semen, and abnormal rate of sperm in collected semen were 3.87ml/ejaculation, 84.9, 11.9% respectively. After dilution, the progressive motility was high and no different between medium 1 and medium 2 (P>0.05). After equilibration, the progressive motility was changed slightly (P > 0.05) and ranged from 37.48 to 37.58% after thawing. The pregnancy rate of the first AI examined at 90th day was 68,2% (n = 22).

African trypanosomiases are parasitic diseases transmitted by tse-tse flies, considered as themain sanitary obstacle to animal production development in sub-Saharan Africa. However, if trypanosomiases have dramatic consequences on zebu (Bos indicus) populations, they have a weaker impact on the western African taurine (Bos taurus), which is known to be naturally tolerant to trypanosome infection. Mechanisms governing this trypanotolerant trait are still poorly understood, but today, recent postgenomic biotechnologies, such as the SAGE technique (serial analysis of gene expression) allow us to explore the full transcriptome. Twelve SAGE libraries were constructed from two trypanotolerant animals (N'Dama and Baoul´e) and one susceptible species of cattle (the Sudanese zebu) during an experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection; 43,458 different tags were obtained at several particular points during the infection (before infection, at the maximum of parasitemia, the maximum of anemia, and at the end of the experiment after value normalization). Bioinformatics analyses highlighted some interesting gene variations with respect to the trypanotolerance status of the animal.

The current study aiming at accessing genetic diversity of 11 chicken populations (2305 samples in 11 districts) in Ha Giang province was undertaken. Twenty-two micro satellites were genotyped for chickens, which were randomly selected from 11 populations (11districts), including: Bac Me (284), Bac Quang (178), Dong Van (176), Hà Giang town (125), Hoang Su Phi (217), Meo Vac (237), Quan Ba (244), Quang Binh (171), Vi Xuyen (199), Xi Man (238), Yen Minh (236). A total of 190 alleles were observed in the 11 populations. The average number (±SD) of alleles/locus was 8.48 ± 4.71. Mean observed and expected heterozygote across all populations was 0.564 and 0.636. Overall average inbreeding coefficient (Fis) was 0.114. The overall genetic variation was low (0.01). Small Nei¿s (1972) standard genetic distances ranging from 0.007 to 0.044 were observed between 11 populations in Ha Giang. Genetic distance was small in phenotypic populations but large between phenotypic populations and Ho population. This study showed a low genetic variation and genetic distance but a high genetic diversity within the Ha Giang chicken population where scavenging method have been practicing.