Artificial insemination (AI) is a key reproductive biotechnology for genetic improvement in sheep. However, its efficiency remains lower and more variable than in most other livestock species. This review critically synthesizes the historical foundations of sheep AI, including methodological principles established by the Soviet school, and evaluates how these concepts have been further developed and adapted to contemporary reproductive biology. Particular emphasis is placed on estrous synchronization protocols, semen processing and cryopreservation, and insemination techniques. We highlight how anatomical constraints of the ovine cervix, seasonal reproductive physiology, and species-specific characteristics of ram sperm collectively limit fertility outcomes, especially when frozen–thawed semen is used. Comparative analysis of cervical, transcervical, and laparoscopic insemination methods indicates that laparoscopic AI remains the most reliable approach, although recent advances in catheter design and semen handling have improved the feasibility of less invasive techniques. This review further discusses emerging approaches, including sperm sex-sorting, alternative recovery methods, and early-stage spermatogonial stem cell–based technologies, emphasizing both their potential applications and current limitations. Overall, the available evidence suggests that future progress in sheep AI will depend on the integrated optimization of hormonal synchronization, semen preservation, and insemination strategies, rather than on isolated technical innovations.

Objective: The present study was executed to explore the molecular mechanism of fibroblast growth factor 10 (FGF10) gene in bovine adipogenesis.Methods: The bovine FGF10 gene was overexpressed through Ad-FGF10 or inhibited through siFGF10 and their negative control (NC) in bovine adipocytes, and the multiplicity of infection, transfection efficiency, interference efficiency were evaluated through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and fluorescence microscopy. The lipid droplets, triglycerides (TG) content and the expression levels of adipogenic marker genes were measured during preadipocytes differentiation. The differentially expressed genes were explored through deep RNA sequencing.Results: The highest mRNA level was found in omasum, subcutaneous fat, and intramuscular fat. Moreover, the highest mRNA level was found in adipocytes at day 4 of differentiation. The results of red-oil o staining showed that overexpression (Ad-FGF10) of the FGF10 gene significantly (p<0.05) reduced the lipid droplets and TG content, and their downregulation (siFGF10) increased the measurement of lipid droplets and TG in differentiated bovine adipocytes. Furthermore, the overexpression of the FGF10 gene down regulated the mRNA levels of adipogenic marker genes such as CCAAT enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), fatty acid binding protein (FABP4), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and Fas cell surface death receptor (FAS), similarly, down-regulation of the FGF10 gene enriched the mRNA levels of C/EBPα, PPARγ, FABP4, and LPL genes (p<0.01). Additionally, the protein levels of PPARγ and FABP4 were reduced (p<0.05) in adipocytes infected with Ad-FGF10 gene and enriched in adipocytes transfected with siFGF10. Moreover, a total of 1,774 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) including 157 up regulated and 1,617 down regulated genes were explored in adipocytes infected with Ad-FGF10 or Ad-NC through deep RNA-sequencing. The top Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathways regulated through DEGs were the PPAR signaling pathway, cell cycle, base excision repair, DNA replication, apoptosis, and regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes.Conclusion: Therefore, we can conclude that the FGF10 gene is a negative regulator of bovine adipogenesis and could be used as a candidate gene in marker-assisted selection.

Kalmyk cattle are an important meat breed in Kazakhstan, valued for their strong physique, genetic stability, and adaptability. In this study, we investigated the mRNA expression of ELOVL fatty acid elongase 6 (ELOVL6) and CREB-regulated transcription coactivator 2 (CRTC2) across multiple tissues, and further examined their genetic variations and associations with growth and carcass traits in 200 Kalmyk cattle. Expression analysis showed that CRTC2 was most highly expressed in the heart and liver, whereas ELOVL6 was predominantly expressed in the spleen and large intestine, highlighting their tissue-specific expression patterns. In addition, we identified a polymorphic SNP (g.16511290A > G) in the 3'UTR of ELOVL6, with three genotypes (AA, AG, GG) and the G allele being dominant (0.520). Polymorphism information content (PIC) analysis indicated high genetic diversity at this locus. Importantly, this SNP was significantly associated with live weight and body oblique length (p < 0.05), and individuals carrying heterozygous AG genotype showed higher body weight and length. Collectively, these findings suggest that g.16511290A > G within ELOVL6 may serve as useful molecular markers for body measurements and meat traits, providing valuable resources for marker-assisted selection in beef cattle breeding programs.

In this paper, we aimed to study the influence of genotype and season on sperm production in beef cattle sires in Kazakhstan. Based on the results obtained over five years of using beef cattle sires, it can be considered that the spring and summer periods have a significant impact on Kazakh Whiteheaded sires; the winter and summer periods affect Aberdeen-Angus sires, and the spring period affects Hereford sires. Other seasons mainly had a positive influence on sperm production indicators, and if there were any changes, they were not significant. The highest concentration in the ejaculate was observed in Kazakh Whiteheaded sires during the winter-autumn period, amounting to 0.82 billion/ml; in Aberdeen-Angus sires during the spring-autumn period, it was 0.72-0.72 billion/ml; and in Hereford sires during the autumn period, it was 0.82 billion/ml. Autumn had a positive influence on all genotypes.

This article presents the results of the introduction of Canadian digital technologies Vytelle GrowSafe in the beef cattle breeding of Kazakhstan to assess Residual Feed Intake (RFI). The experiments were carried out with Qazaq Aqbas Breed in the Privet Farms of North Kazakhstan (Akmola and Pavlodar farms). As part of the ration in Akmola farm for a bull of 350 kg of weight, are contained 77 MJ or 7.6 kg of DM, in Pavlodar farm for a bull weighing 290 kg contains 65 MJ or 6.5 kg of DM. Studies have shown that in the Akmola farm the RFI index ranged from -2.08 to +2.88, in the Pavlodar farm from -1.89 to +2.06. According to the results of research in the Akmola farm, the RFI assessment show, 7 out of 26 bulls are suitable for breeding sale, in the Pavlodar farm out of 55 bulls 18. The assessment of the productive effect of feed on RFI, mainly (by 80%), coincided with the assessment of the ratio of gain to consumed dry matter, and some bulls showed deviations in terms of residual average daily live weight gain and the corrected value of the ratio of feed costs to live weight gain, which led to incomplete manifestation of the productive potential of the consumed feed.

В данной статье отражается научные данные «анкатинского укрупненного типа» казахской белоголовый породы ТОО «Анкатинский» Западно-Казахстанской области [1, 10]. Объектом исследования является крупный рогатый скот мясного направления «Анкатинского укрупненного типа» казахской белоголовый породы. Следует отметить, что в совершенствовании племенных и продуктивных качеств любой популяции крупного рогатого скота мясных пород важное место отводится наличию в ней генетического разнообразия, представляемая внутрипородными типами, заводскими линиями, родственными группами и семействами. Каждая из вышеуказанных структурных элементов в определённой степени способствует не только поддержанию генотипического разнообразия, но обуславливает сохранение уникальных качеств генофонда породы. В связи с этим изучение и совершенствование племенных, продуктивных и воспроизводительных качеств животных имеющихся внутрипородных типов и составляющих линий является актуальной задачей. Совершенствование анкатинского укрупненного типа казахской белоголовой породы проводится чистопородным методом разведения. Отбор животных проводится по результатам бонитировки племенных и продуктивных качеств, анализа сочетаемости различных заводских линий. В рамках научных работ были изучены генологическая структура стада, показателей продуктивных (живая масса, среднесуточный прирост) и племенных (отбор, подбор) качеств быков-производителей и коров, оценка экстерьера и конституции, также были изучены воспроизводительная способность коров (межотельный период, мес.; период плодоношения, дни; сервис-период, дни) и показатели качества спермы бычков.