COEXISTENCE OF POLYMORPHISM IN FECUNDITY GENES BMPR 1B AND GDF 9 OF INDIAN KENDRAPADA SHEEP

Present study was carried out to find out the status of mutations in three fecundity genes i.e. growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9/FecG), bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15/FecX) and bone morphogenetic protein receptor (BMPR1B/FecB) in Kendrapada sheep, the second most prolific sheep breed of India after Garole. Kendrapada ewes (n=85) were genotyped by Tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-PCR and a total of eleven SNP points over these three candidate fecundity genes (one point on FecB and five points each on BMP15 and GDF9) were assessed. Out of eleven, two SNP points, viz. FecB and G4 of GDF9 were found to be polymorphic in this breed. In this sheep breed average litter size of the ewes with non-carriers, heterozygous carrier and homozygous carrier of FecB locus mutation were 1.61, 1.80 and 2.06 respectively. G4 point of the GDF9 gene was also polymorphic with average litter size of noncarriers, heterozygous carrier and homozygous carrier ewes were 1.63, 2.00 and 1.91 respectively. This study establishes Kendrapada sheep as the sixth sheep breed after Belclare/Cambridge, Lacaune, Small-tailed Han, Garole and Bayanbulak sheep, where coexisting polymorphism has been found in two different fecundity genes (BMPRIB and GDF9 genes)

CYTOTOXICITY STUDY OF FICUS RELIGIOSA LEAF EXTRACT AGAINST JURKAT CELL LINE

Different parts of Ficus religiosa tree have traditional usage against many ailments and diseases. In the present study, 85% ethanol extract of F. religiosa leaves were partially purified by PLC Silica gel 60 F254, 2 mm, 20X20 cm preparative thin layer chromatography using toluene and ethyl acetate (8:2, v/v) as solvent. Fraction 7 (FR7) showed highest brine shrimp larvicidal activity as regard to the leaf extract of F. religiosa. In vitro anticancer potential of same fraction against Jurkat cell line was investigated by means of flow cytometry using annexin V/7AAD apoptosis kit. F. religiosa leaf extract was found to markedly inhibit the proliferation of Jurkat cells in a dose-dependent manner

Prolificacy in Raighar goats is independent of FecB gene

Aim: The Research was undertaken to find the association between FecB and high prolificacy in Raighar goats. Materials and Methods: DNA was extracted from blood, collected from does (n=101) with history of high prolificacy. Further tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system (T-ARMS) PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis were followed to screen the mutation. Results: Raighar goats were found to be wild homozygotes suggesting absence of FecB mutation. Conclusion: Prolificacy in case of Raighar goats is not due to the mutation at FecB locus. It is thought to search for other genes or loci in goat fecundity. [Vet World 2013; 6(8.000): 479-481

An uncommon initial presentation of snake bite-subarachnoid hemorrhage: A case report with literature review

Snake bites are very common in India, particularly in West Bengal. Snake bite can cause various hematological, neuromyopathical complications. It can be very fatal if not detected and treated early. Timely intervention can save the patient. We are reporting a case of hematotoxic Russell viper snake bite presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Patient was successfully treated with antivenom serum (AVS) along with other conservative management. Subarachnoid hemorrhage as an initial presentation in viper bite is very rare and we discuss the case with proper literature review

Expression of temperature-sensitive ion channel TRPM8 in sperm cells correlates with vertebrate evolution

Transient Receptor Potential cation channel, subfamily Melastatin, member 8 (TRPM8) is involved in detection of cold temperature, different noxious compounds and in execution of thermo- as well as chemo-sensitive responses at cellular levels. Here we explored the molecular evolution of TRPM8 by analyzing sequences from various species. We elucidate that several regions of TRPM8 had different levels of selection pressure but the 4th–5th transmembrane regions remain highly conserved. Analysis of synteny suggests that since vertebrate origin, TRPM8 gene is linked with SPP2, a bone morphogen. TRPM8, especially the N-terminal region of it, seems to be highly variable in human population. We found 16,656 TRPM8 variants in 1092 human genomes with top variations being SNPs, insertions and deletions. A total of 692 missense mutations are also mapped to human TRPM8 protein of which 509 seem to be delateroiours in nature as supported by Polyphen V2, SIFT and Grantham deviation score. Using a highly specific antibody, we demonstrate that TRPM8 is expressed endogenously in the testis of rat and sperm cells of different vertebrates ranging from fish to higher mammals. We hypothesize that TRPM8 had emerged during vertebrate evolution (ca 450 MYA). We propose that expression of TRPM8 in sperm cell and its role in regulating sperm function are important factors that have guided its molecular evolution, and that these understandings may have medical importance