Abstract
The Kazakh White-headed cattle breed is a valuable genetic resource with unique characteristics that have developed over a long process of adaptation to Kazakhstan's climatic conditions. It is not only of great importance for beef cattle breeding, but also an important element of the genetic pool, contributing to the sustainable development of agriculture in the context of a changing climate and economy. The article presents the results of the complete sequencing of the genome of the Kazakh white-headed cattle breed. The study aimed to identify genetic variations that potentially affect the adaptive and productive traits of Kazakh white-headed cattle using whole-genome sequencing methods. A group of reference bulls of the Kazakh white-headed breed, selected for phenotypic traits, was studied, followed by analysis of variations at the whole-genome level, including functional annotation and distribution across chromosomes. A total of 1,760 highly effective mutations were identified, 18% of which are located in the coding regions of the genome. Variations were found in key genes involved in immune defence (CD1A, NCF4), metabolism (ACOX3, GYS2), reproductive function (PRDM9, PIWIL3), as well as sensory and adaptive activity. The data obtained demonstrate the valuable gene pool of the Kazakh White-headed breed and justify its importance in genomic selection and local genetic resource conservation programmes