Haemoglobin (Hb) and transferrin (Tf) types have been studied in the breeds Muturu, N'Dama, Gudali and Red Bororo of Nigeria, West Africa.
The Hb gene frequencies were: Muturu, HbA = 0·72, HbD = 0·28; Gudali, HbA = 0·60, HbB = 0·32, HbC = 0·08; Red Bororo, HbA = 0·54, HbB = 0·44, HbC = 0·02.
Transferrin studies showed six different Tf phenotypes in Muturu their distribution being in agreement with the occurrence of the alleles TfA, TfD1 and TfD2. In N'Dama nine different Tf phenotypes were observed and were explained by the alleles TfA, TfD1, TfD2 and TfE. In Gudali 15 different Tf phenotypes were found with a distribution in agreement with the occurrence of the alleles TfA, TfB, TfD1, TfD2, TfF and TfE. All alleles in this breed occurred at frequencies above 0.1. In a limited number of Red Bororo cattle nine Tf phenotypes were seen. Their distribution can be explained by the occurrence of the six genes: TfA, TfB, TfD1, TfD2, TfF and TfE.