ENDOCRINE REGULATION OF GROWTH AND ITS MANIPULATION IN MITHUN (BOS FRONTALIS): A RARE BOVINE OF SOUTHEAST ASIA

Mithun (Bos frontalis), also known as ‘Cattle of Mountain”, is an important bovine species of north-eastern hill region of India and also some part of China, Myanmar, Bhutan and Bangladesh. This magnificent massive bovine is presently reared under free-range condition at an altitude of 1000 to 3000 meter above mean sea level. Presently, mithun is primarily reared for meat and mithun meat is considered to be more tender and superior than meat of any other species. Therefore, basic understanding of body growth and its manipulation for faster body weight, gain thereby early attainment of maturity which is crucial for exploiting this species as a meat animal. Endocrinology of growth is paramount to understand the above events. Limited efforts have been made to understand the endocrine regulation of growth and its manipulation in this species. Therefore, the aim of the present review is to detail the endocrine and related factors that regulate mithun growth. These factors will be crucial to manipulate body growth to explore this species as an ideal meat breed in near future.