Effect of dietary administration of oil extract from rosemary on reproductive efficiency in boars

A decrease in reproductive performance in boars during and immediately after hot summer weather has been previously reported (Park and Yi, 2002). High temperature causes germ-cell destruction and results in a temporary decrease in sperm production and fertility. The increase of metabolic activity following thermic stress matches with a higher production of free radicals that impairs cells, such as spermatozoa, particularly rich in polyunsatured fatty acids and poor in antioxidants systems

Coat colours in the Massese sheep breed are associated with mutations in the agouti signalling protein (ASIP) and melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) genes

Massese is an Italian dairy sheep breed characterized by animals with black skin and horns and black or apparent grey hairs. Owing to the presence of these two coat colour types, this breed can be considered an interesting model to evaluate the effects of coat colour gene polymorphisms on this phenotypic trait. Two main loci have been already shown to affect coat colour in sheep: Agouti and Extension coding for the agouti signalling protein (ASIP) and melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) genes, respectively. The Agouti locus is affected by a large duplication including the ASIP gene that may determine the Agouti white and tan allele (AWt). Other disrupting or partially inactivating mutations have been identified in exon 2 (a deletion of 5 bp, D5; and a deletion of 9 bp, D9) and in exon 4 (g.5172T.A, p.C126S) of the ASIP gene. Three missense mutations in the sheep MC1R gene cause the dominant black ED allele (p.M73K and p.D121N) and the putative recessive e allele (p.R67C). Here, we analysed these ASIP and MC1R mutations in 161 Massese sheep collected from four flocks. The presence of one duplicated copy allele including the ASIP gene was associated with grey coat colour (P59.4E-30). Almost all animals with a duplicated copy allele (37 out of 41) showed uniform apparent grey hair and almost all animals without a duplicated allele (117 out of 120) were completely black. Different forms of duplicated alleles were identified in Massese sheep including, in almost all cases, copies with exon 2 disrupting or partially inactivating mutations making these alleles different from the AWt allele. A few exceptions were observed in the association between ASIP polymorphisms and coat colour: three grey sheep did not carry any duplicated copy allele and four black animals carried a duplicated copy allele. Of the latter four sheep, two carried the ED allele of the MC1R gene that may be the cause of their black coat colour. The coat colour of all other black animals may be determined by non-functional ASIP alleles (non-agouti alleles, Aa) and in a few cases by the ED Extension allele. At least three frequent ASIP haplotypes ([D5:g.5172T], [N:g.5172A] and [D5:g.5172A]) were detected (organized into six different diplotypes). In conclusion, the results indicated that coat colours in the Massese sheep breed are mainly derived by combining ASIP and MC1R mutations

Reproductive parameters of "Nero di Parma" sows reared outdoor and indoor

AbstractThe swine genetic type "Nero di Parma" has been obtained after a preservation programme of a local breed suitable for outdoor rearing systems in Parma province. Actually, 480 females and 35 males are registered by Italian Swine Breeders Association and are reared in 28 herds of Parma province. The study involved the analysis of the reproductive performance of 120 sows from 19 boars, born between 1999 and 2005, during 211 parities from 2002 to 2006. For each parity, the boar, the age of the sow, the length of the farrowing interval, and the litter size (number of born alive, stillborn and weaned piglets) were recorded. Two rearing systems of the farrowing sows (from the final phase of gestation to the end of lactation) were considered: indoor (sows closed off in individual stalls or farrowing cages) and outdoor (sows in individual huts inside the paddocks, with straw bedding); dry sows in both systems had access on pasture with forage and concentrate integration. Data concerning sows performance we..

Analysis of the melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R) gene in Sicilian goat breeds

AbstractMammalian coat colour is mainly determined by the distribution of two different types of melanins: pheomelanin (red/yellow pigments) and eumelanin (black pigments). Their synthesis is regulated by the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R/Extension locus) that binds the α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and the agouti signalling protein (ASIP, coded by the Agouti locus). In mammals, several studies have reported that loss-of-function mutations in MC1R lead to red/yellow pigmentation, while gain-of-function mutations lead to black/dark colours. Mutations at the Agouti locus exert, in general, epistatic interactions on the Extension locus. In goats, classical genetic studies have indicated that variations at the Agouti locus may be the main source of colour variability within and between breeds, while the effect of the Extension locus on this phenotypic trait has been only partially deduced. In order to better understand the role of the Extension locus on coat colour in this species, here we analysed..

Prediction of milk, fat and protein yields in first lactation from serum ß-lactoglobulin concentrations during gestation in Italian Brown heifers

The Authors report the results of a study carried out on 23 pregnant Italian Brown heifers, with the aim to determine the relationships between blood serum ß-lactoglobulin (ß-LG) concentrations during first gestation and subsequent milk production and quality in first lactation, in order to obtain an improved selection method for replacement heifers. At weeks 20, 26 and 32 of gestation, ß-LG concentrations (±SE) were 706±78, 753±66 and 772±63 ng/ml, respectively (P>0.05). High and significant (P≤0.05) correlation coefficients were observed only between ß-LG content at week 32 and total milk and protein yields in first lactation. Prediction equations of milk, fat and protein production in first lactation from log10 ß-LG content at week 32 of gestation, from parent average genetic indexes and from both were calculated by means of multiple regression analysis. When the contribution of both ß-LG content and predicted genetic indexes were considered, the regression equations gave generally a better estimate of the production parameters in first lactation (higher R2, lower SE of estimate) than the above mentioned parameters alone. These results suggest that it is valuable to pre-estimate milk, fat and protein production in Italian Brown first lactating cows by means of the analysis of serum ß-LG content during gestation

A melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene polymorphism is useful for authentication of Massese sheep dairy products

Massese is an Italian sheep breed, with black or grey coat colour, mainly reared in the Tuscany and Emilia Romagna regions. Recently, the emerging interests in this breed have resulted in the production of Pecorino cheese obtained with only Massese milk. In order to be profitable, this marketing link between Massese breed and its products should be defended against fraudsters who could include milk of other sheep breeds or cow milk in Massese labelled productions. To identify the genetic factors affecting coat colour in sheep, we have recently analysed the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene and identified several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In this work, as a first step to set up a DNA based protocol for authentication of Massese dairy products, we further investigated the presence and distribution of one of these SNPs (c.-31G>A) in 143 Massese sheep and in another 13 sheep breeds (for a total of 351 animals). The Massese breed was fixed for allele c.-31A, whereas in all other breeds allele c.-31 G was the most frequent or with frequency of 0\ub750. At the same nucleotide position the cattle MC1R gene carries the G nucleotide. Using these data we developed a method to detect adulterating milk (from other sheep breeds or from cow) in Massese dairy products based on the analysis of the c.-31G>A SNP. We first tested the sensitivity of the protocol and then applied it to analyse DNA extracted from ricotta and Pecorino cheese obtained with only Massese milk or obtained with unrestricted sheep and cattle milk. To our knowledge, this system represents the first one that can be used for breed authentication of a sheep production and that, at the same time, can reveal frauds derived from the admixture of milk of an unreported species

In vitro ruminal dry matter and neutral detergent fibre digestibility of common feedstuffs as affected by the addition of essential oils and their active compounds

The effects of essential oils (EO) and their active compounds (EOC) on dry matter digestibility and neutral detergent fibre digestibility (DMD and NDFD, respectively) are still not enough described since in vitro methods are limited. So, the aim of the study was to screen and compare the main effects of EO and EOC on short-term DMD and NDFD using the in vitro method. The addition of phenylpropanoid-rich cinnamon oil (CIN) and clove oil (CLO), terpenoid-rich thyme oil (THY) and oregano oil (ORG), and four EOC: cinnamaldehyde (CIN-C), eugenol (EUG), thymol (THY-C) and carvacrol (CAR) was studied at a dose of 0.5 mg ? l?1 of main active compound. Products were tested on four substrates: lucerne hay, soyabean meal, maize meal and a total mixed ration (TMR). Digestibility was determined at 4 and 24 h of fermentation. Both CIN and CIN-C increased NDFD4 of lucerne and maize meal, and decreased NDFD24 of soyabean meal; while CIN-C reduced NDF24 of TMR and CIN reduced DMD of soyabean at both examined hours. CLO and EUG decreased the NDFD24 of soyabean meal improving its DMD24. Also initial DMD of lucerne was increased by both these factors. Only CLO reduced NDFD24 of maize meal. Both THY and THY-C reduced DMD4 of soyabean meal; however only THY-C improved NDF4 of lucerne and reduced NDFD24 of soyabean meal and TMR. DMD24 of most substrates (except lucerne) was reduced by ORE, but not by CAR which improved NDFD4 of lucerne. The in vitro method was sensitive to variations in digestibility caused by EO and EOC, providing a promising approach for the incorporation of EO and EOC effects in systems for cattle diet formulationauthorsversionPeer reviewe

UČINAK SEZONE NA POKAZATELJE VELIČINE LEGLA U CRNE SLAVONSKE PASMINE SVINJA I PASMINE SVINJA“NERO DI PARMA”

The aim of this study was to analyse the litter size traits in two genotypes of pig population with black coat: Black Slavonian (BS) and “Nero di Parma” (NP). Data analysis included records from the 1st to 4th parity separately, and all parities (from 1st to 11th) for the following traits: Total Number of Born (TNB), Number of Born Alive (NBA), and Number of Weaned (NW) piglets, collected from 296 BS and 421 NP sows. Litter size traits from 1st to 4th paritywas analysed separately for each breed and ANOVA Repetead Measure test was used to calculate the difference between parities. The analysis of seasonality in all parities was performed using the General Linear Model.Significant differences (P<0.05) between-parity in BS were observed in the 1st and 3rd as well in the 1st and 4th parities for TNB and NW. Only for the NBA difference (P<0.05) was found between 1st and 3rd parities.Differences (P<0.05) in NP pigs were reported between the 1st and 3rd as between 1st and 4th parity for TNB and NBA. First-parity sows for NW shows significant differences (P<0.05) in relation to 2nd, 3rd and 4th parity. In all parities analysed according to the seasons significant differences was recorded between summer and autumn period for TNB (P<0.05) in BS. Difference (P<0.05) was also obtained for NBA between spring and autumn, as well as for summer and autumn season. In all parity analysis in BS pig, the NW (P<0.05) showed differences only between spring and summer period. Season in all parity analysis had a significant impact on litter size traits in NP pig. Differences (P<0.05) was obtained for TNB, NBA and NW among spring-winter, summerwinter and autumn-winter period.Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je analizirati pokazatelje veličine legla u dvije populacije svinja: crne slavonske pasmine svinja (CS) i crne pasmine svinja “Nero di Parma” (NP). Analizirani su pokazatelji veličine legla: ukupan broj oprasenih (UOO), živooprasenih (ŽO) i broj odbijenih odojaka (BOO) od prvog do četvrtog prasenjaza svaku pasminu. Skupnom analizom od prvog do jedanaestog legala prikazani su rezultati UOO, ŽO i BOO po sezoni prasenja. Istraživanjem je bilo obuhvaćeno 296 krmača CS i 421 krmača NP. Testiranje razlika navedenih pokazatelja od prvog do četvrtog prasenja provedena je analizom varijance s ponovljenim mjerenjima. Podaci skupne analize po sezoni prasenja prikazani su pomoću općeg linearnog modela izračuna. Statističkom obradom podataka utvrđena je značajna razlika (p<0,05) između prvog i trećeg prasenja te prvog i četvrtog prasenja za svojstva UOO i BOO u CS, dok je značajna razlika (p<0,05) u broju ŽO usta-novoljena samo između prvog i trećeg prasenja. Razlika u broju UOO i ŽO bila je značajna (p<0,05) između prvopraskinja u odnosu na treće-i četvrtopraskinje NP. Najmanji BOO u NP zabilježen je u prvopraskinja te su razlike bile značajne (p<0,05) u usporedbi s drugim, trećim i četvrtim prasenjem. Skupnom analizom prasenja utvrđene su značajne razlike (p<0,05) za UOO između ljetne i jesenske sezone te za ŽO između jesenske i proljetne sezone te jesenske i ljetne sezone prasenja (p<0,05). Nadalje, značajna razlika (p<0,05) u BOO zabilježena je između proljetne i ljetne sezone prasenja. Broj UOO, ŽO i BOO u NP tijekom zimske sezone bio je značajno manji (p<0,05) u odnosu na zabilježene vrijednosti tijekom proljetne, ljetne i jesenke sezone prasenja

A first comparative map of copy number variations in the sheep genome

We carried out a cross species cattle–sheep array comparative genome hybridization experiment to identify copy number variations (CNVs) in the sheep genome analysing ewes of Italian dairy or dual-purpose breeds (Bagnolese, Comisana, Laticauda, Massese, Sarda, and Valle del Belice) using a tiling oligonucleotide array with ~385,000 probes designed on the bovine genome. We identified 135 CNV regions (CNVRs; 24 reported in more than one animal) covering ~10.5 Mb of the virtual sheep genome referred to the bovine genome (0.398%) with a mean and a median equal to 77.6 and 55.9 kb, respectively. A comparative analysis between the identified sheep CNVRs and those reported in cattle and goat genomes indicated that overlaps between sheep and both other species CNVRs are highly significant (Pb0.0001), suggesting that several chromosome regions might contain recurrent interspecies CNVRs. Many sheep CNVRs include genes with important biological functions. Further studies are needed to evaluate their functional relevance

A new system for animal products traceability and authentication: use of DNA analysis of natural tracers and example of application to dry cured hams

AbstractA few DNA based approaches have been developed to trace animal products from the farm to the consumer "fork". These approaches make use of the animal DNA that can be recovered during all steps of the production chain directly as part of the products that are obtained from them. This direct link between the animals and the products can be assessed using DNA markers like, for example, single nucleotide polymorphisms and microsatellites, for individual or population based (breed) traceability systems. However, these methods, in general, rely on the possibility to constitute banks of animal biological samples for critical/important steps of the production chain and analyse a large number of samples (individual traceability) or to identify breed/population multilocus informative markers or few specific mutations that can distinguish the breed/population of origin (breed traceability). Here we developed a new traceability and authentication system that makes use of the DNA contained in an added material..