Feeding of tiger tooth croaker (Otolithes ruber) in Khuzestan coastal waters

In order to study on feeding of O. ruber, sampling was carried out monthly from Nov. 96 to Aug. 97, stomach contents of 691 samples were examined of which, 67% were empty and 33% had feed residues.Index of being vacant was higher in males in comparison with females, this index reaches at maximum from Feb. to May for males and in Aug. and Jan. for females. Fish was found in 58% of the stomach, shrimp in 39% and fish and shrimp in 3% of them. During a year feeding intensity did not show a regular pattern and it was weak. Relative importance index for fish and shrimp was 63% and 37% respectively. The main food of immature fish was shrimp, which as they grow shrimp replaced by fish as the main food, so O. ruber is a carnivorous and hunter species

Identification of retrotransposon-like sequences in Iranian river buffalo

Retrotransposon elements are peculiar genetic elements raised through copy and paste mechanism by retrotransposition. Their ability to move and/or replicate inside the genome is an important evolutionaryforce responsible for the increase of genome size and the regulation of gene expression. In this paper, molecular identification of  retrotransposon-like elements including seven LTR and non-LTR (LINE andSINE) like sequences, which were characterised by cloning RAPD fragments in Iranian river buffalo, is reported. The analysis demonstrated the presence of partial sequences of SINEs (MIRb, Bov-A2, BovtA2, CHR-2_BT and CHR-2B), LINE (L1_Carn7) and LTR (ERVL-B4) in the target genome. The sequences of Bov-tA2 and CHR-2 like elements contain the whole promoter boxes of RNA polymerase III and tRNArelated region with few differences in their nucleotides. This may occur by mutations and extinction of elements during evolution. The identification of these retrotransposable elements for the first time in Iranian river buffalo represents an important step towards the understanding of mechanisms of genome evolution within the species and perhaps will be useful in other related studies on population genetics, speciation and genome manipulation of this species

Identification of a single nucleotide polymorphism of the pituitary-specific transcriptional factor 1 (Pit 1) gene and its association with body composition trait in Iranian commercial broiler line

Pit-1 is a pituitary-specific transcriptional factor that has been shown to play a critical role both in cell differentiation during organogenesis of the anterior pituitary and as a transcriptional activator for pituitary gene transcription. This study was designed to investigate the associations of Pit-1 gene polymorphism on chicken body growth and body composition traits. Genomic DNA was extracted from 120 chickens from Iranian commercial broiler line. Two polymorphisms of the Pit-1 gene were found with restriction fragment length polymorphisms. The association between these polymorphisms with chicken growth and body composition traits were analyzed using single marker analysis. Polymorphisms in Pit-1 gene were significantly (P<0.1) associated with body growth and body composition traits. This study suggests that Pit-1 gene could be a candidate locus or linked to major gene(s) that affects growth and body composition traits in the chicken.Key words: Iranian broiler lines, growth and body composition traits, pituitary-specific transcription factor gene (Pit 1), polymorphism, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)

Fecundity of Otolithes ruber (Scneider, 1801) in Khuzestan coastal waters

To study on fecundity of O. ruber, in spawning season, 31 samples caught in Khouzestan waters on Feb. 1996 to April 1997 were examined, and gravimetry method was used. Maximum absolute fecundity were 1483369 ± 14409 and 81726± 1831 eggs respectively, and relative fecundity 1107 ± 10.6 and 256±5.5 per gram body weight, respectively. The highest correlation coefficient was observed in absolute fecundity with gonadal weight (G W) and relative fecundity with gonadosomatic index (GSI). Also absolute and relative fecundity had the highest multiple regression coefficient with gonadosomatic index (GSI), gutted weight (GU) and standard length (SL)

Detection of genetic variation in sample of Iranian proofed Holstein cattle by using microsatellite marker

This study describes genetic variation among samples of Iranian Holstein cattle (Bos taurus) by using microsatellite markers. Semen samples of individuals were taken followed by DNA extraction. A panel of13 microsatellites was used for evaluation of 13 loci in 68 Holstein proofed bulls. Mean value for allele per locus detected is 6.615, ranging from 10 (SPS115) to 4 (ETH3). All the microsatellite DNA markers showed high polymorphism and displayed a relatively high level of genetic variation as estimated by allelic diversity and heterozygosity. Estimated heterozygosities ranged from 1.000 (BM2113, TGLA122, TGLA126, ETH3, MGTG4B, SPS115, TGLA227 and INRAO23) to 0.633 (SPS113) with mean value of 0.946. All the loci showed deviation from Hardy- Weinberg equilibrium (p < 0.001), polymorphism information content (PIC) calculated for each marker exceeded 0.6 and the mean value of Shannon information index was estimated to be 1.606. Obtained results showing heterozygousity can be useful for the development of breeding strategies for genetic improvement in Iranian Holstein cattle.Keywords: Genetic variability, polymorphism, microsatellite loci, Bos taurus, Iranian Holstein cattle, DN

Development of polymorphic microsatellite loci for Iranian river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Microsatellite loci were developed using PCR-based isolation of microsatellite arrays (PIMA) for Iranian river buffalo. Blood samples of eighty unrelated individuals from four buffalo populations (Khuzestan,Mazandaran, Guilan and Azarbayejan) were taken and following DNA extraction, isolation of microsatellite loci initiated using enrichment with random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers. RAPD-PCR fragments were ligated into PTZ57R TA cloning vector and transformed into DH5competent cells. Obtained colonies were screened for presence of repetitive elements by repeatspecific and M13 forward and reverse primers. After designing primer pairs for repeat containing fragments, they were tested in all buffalo populations. Two microsatellite loci (RBBSI and RBBSII) were informative and polymorphic. Number of alleles for RBBSI and RBBSII in 80 individuals was 5 and 6, respectively. Expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.65 to 0.81. Significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium expectation occurred for both loci in all populations, but 37.5% of locus/population combination showed the deviation. We postulate that the two newly isolated microsatellite loci during this study could be useful for population genetic studies in Bubalus bubalis

Study of factor XI deficiency in Khuzestan cattle population of Iran

The present study investigated the occurrence of autosomal recessive genetic disease, factor XI (FXI), in Khuzestan native cows and Iranian Holstein cattle. Genomic DNA was isolated from the blood of the cows (n = 330). Exon 12 of the Factor XI gene of the cows was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Additionally, all cows were confirmed by DNA sequencing to determine existence of mutant FXI allele. Normal cattle have only one DNA fragment of 244 bp while heterozygous cattle exhibited two DNA fragments of 320 and 244 bp for the FXI gene deficiency. The results of this study showed that none of the animals were carriers of FXI deficiency. Because of the economical significance of the FXI mutation and its recessive mode of inheritance, attention has to be paid to any case of a bull having in his origin any known FXI carrier. Although we did not observe any carrier, widespread screening programs for detection of genetic disorders seems necessary.Key words: Factor XI, deficiency, sequencing, cattle, Iran

Association between single nucleotide polymorphism of apoVLDL-II gene with growth and body composition traits in Iranian commercial broiler line

Very low density apolipoprotein-II (apoVLDL-II) is a major polypeptide component of avian VLDL. The function of apoVLDL-II is the transport of neutral lipids (triacylglycerol) in the form of VLDL in the plasma. The apoVLDLII gene is dormant in embryos, chicks and roosters but can be activated by estrogen. The current study was designed to investigate the association of an apoVLDL-II gene polymorphism on chicken growth and body composition traits. Genomic DNAs were extracted from 400chickens from four different commercial broiler lines. Genotyping for the apoVLDL-II gene by using PCR-RFLP method and SfcI restriction endonuclease showed a mutation in 492-bp fragment located on the first intron. Polymorphism in apoVLDL-II gene was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with body weight at 6 week (BW6), carcass weight (CW), breast muscle weight (BMW), drumstick weight (DW) and wing weight (WINW). No significant difference was observed in the back weight (BAKW) and abdominal fat weight (AFW). This research suggests that apoVLDL-II gene could be a candidate gene that can affect some growth traits in chickens

Association of transforming growth factor-ß3 gene polymorphism with growth and body composition traits in Iranian commercial broiler lines

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) polypeptides are members of a large superfamily of growth and differentiation factors that regulate the proliferation and differentiation of a great variety of cell types. The current study was designed to investigate the associations of TGF-β3 gene polymorphism on chicken growth and body composition traits. Genomic DNAs were extracted from 400 chickens from four different commercial broiler lines. Genotyping for the TGF-β3 gene using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method and BslI restriction endonuclease showed a mutation in 294-bp fragment located on the fourth intron of chromosome 5. Polymorphism in TGF-β3 gene was significantly (P < 0.1) associated with breast muscle weight (BMW), abdominal fat weight (AFW), wing weight (WINW), percentage of carcass weight (%CW), percentage of drumstick weight (%DW), percentage of breast muscle weight (%BMW), percentage of back weight (%BAKWT) and percentage of wing weight (%WINW). This research suggests that TGF-β3 gene could be a candidate gene that can affect some body composition traits in chicken.Key words: Broiler lines, body composition traits, transforming growth factor beta 3 (TGF-β3), PCR-RFLP

Genetic variation among pelt sheep population using microsatellite markers

Genetic variation in three Iranian pelt sheep breeds namely: Gray Shiraz, Zandi and Karakul were investigated using fifteen microsatellite loci. Genomic DNA was extracted from 360 blood samples by extraction kits and salting-out procedure with some modifications. The total number of alleles ranged from 6 to12 in loci. The fifteen tested loci were all polymorphic in the three breeds. The average direct count of heterozygosity overall loci in each tested breed was more than the expected heterozygosity. Tests of genotype frequencies for deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) were performed at each locus of overall breeds and revealed significant departure from HWE (P < 0.001) due to heterozygote excess. Polymorphism information content value in Gray Shiraz, Zandi and Karakul were 0.815, 0.808 and 0.808, respectively. Rate of inbreeding within the three breeds was not noticeable (global Fis = - 0.19). Low genetic differentiation was detected by estimation of Fst index between all pairs of breeds. Results showed that high level of genetic diversity was observed in pelt sheep. The phylogenetic tree based on Nei distances were drown using the neighbor-joining (NJ) and unweighted pair-group method using an arithmetic average (UPGMA). With both methods, Gray Shiraz and Karakul sheep populations were located together at one cluster and Zandi sheep population at another. The results can be useful in the development of breeding strategy for genetic improvement of pelt sheep in Iran. © 2010 Academic Journals