Yakut native breed cows can withstand frosts down to minus 50–60 ℃ in winter thanks to a mutation in the gene responsible for frost resistance. This discovery was made by specialists from the Institute of Cytology and Genetics (ICG).
Researchers compared the genome of Yakut cows with other breeds to find out why these animals tolerate the cold so easily.
“Our goal was to understand how cows adapted to the harsh conditions of the region during the process of evolution. We studied how the genome of Yakut cows differs from other breeds and discovered a mutation in one of the genes related to heart function,” commented the results of the study the director of the institute, Alexey Kochetov.
Scientists also identified similar mutations in the genes of mammals that hibernate in winter, such as bears and bats.
Currently, researchers have created a line of mice with a modified gene responsible for frost resistance. They plan to study how these animals will survive at low temperatures.
Alexey Kochetov emphasized that this research is in high demand. Farmers from various regions are requesting the creation of cows that are resistant to cold.
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