Genomic location of the bovine growth hormone secretagogue receptor (Ghsr) gene and investigation of genetic polymorphism

The growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) is involved in the regulation of energetic homeostasis and GH secretion. In this study, the bovine GHSR gene was mapped to BTA1 between BL26 and BMS4004. Two different bovine GHSR CDS (GHSR1a and GHSR1b) were sequenced. Six polymorphisms (five SNPs and one 3-bp indel) were also identified, three of them leading to amino acid variations L24V, D194N, and Del R242. These variations are located in the extracellular N-terminal end, the exoloop 2, and the cytoloop 3 of the receptor, respectively

Soil chemical changes following 3-year legume or grass leys in west Africa

peer reviewedThe influence of 4 tropical grasses (Panicum maximum, Andropogon gayanus broad- (BL) and narrow-leaf (NL) types and Pennisetum purpureum) and 6 legumes (Aeschynomene histrix, Stylosanthes fruticosa, Centrosema pubescens, Mucuna pruriens var. utilis, Cajanus cajan and Leucaena leucocephala) on fertility of the top soil in the Sudanian region of Benin over 3 years was investigated. The plants were sown without fertiliser, harvested under a cut-and-carry regime and soil changes were compared with those under a natural fallow. Soil samples were collected before the study commenced and at the end of the 3-year study. These were analysed for pH, organic C, N, available P and exchangeable cations (Ca, Mg, K and Na). N, P and K contents of aerial parts were determined to estimate the exports of these elements. For the grasses, root biomass, depth and distribution were also measured. Three years after grasses and legumes were sown, the pH under the grasses (6.6-6.7) was higher than under the legumes (6.2-6.4) and C and N concentrations had declined from the initial levels. Owing to their deep rooting systems, A. gayanus BL and P. maximum, and probably C. cajan and L. leucocephala, appeared able to recycle nutrients from deeper soil layers. While these species could be used for ley pastures in savannah regions of west Africa, maintenance fertiliser applications would be required to prevent nutrient depletion under a cut-and-carry regime. Further studies to test the efficacy of farmyard manure in providing these nutrients seem warranted

Mapping of the bovine growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) and polymorphism study in cattle

A third control pathway of the Growth Hormone (GH) secretion has come into picture since the development of synthetic compounds known as Growth Hormone Secretagogues (GHSs). The GHS Receptor (GHS-R) and its subtype are abundantly located in the hypothalamus-pituitary unit, but are also distributed in other central areas and peripheral tissues. The GHS-R belongs to the G-protein coupled receptor family with seven transmembrane domain architecture. In order to determine the GHS-R gene sequence, total mRNA was extracted from abomasum and two types of GHS-R cDNA were identified. These two types are transcript variants (1a and 1b) of the same GHS-R gene. The gene encompasses two exons and a single intron. Using a 3000 Rad hybrid panel, the GHS-R gene was mapped to Bos taurus autosome 1 (BTA 1). This localization on BTA 1 agrees totally with comparative data between cattle and human since BTA 1 corresponds to part of human chromosome 3 where human GHSR is also mapped. By two-point analysis, most significantly linked marker are BL26 and BMS4031 (both LOD score : 5,66). Some studies detected different QTLs near these markers like for growth rate, carcass yield, milk portein and milk yield. In the cattle industry, it is of economical importance to increase plasma GH secretion because it is associated with faster growth, less fat stores and improved milk production. Being of economical importance and the detected QTLs near the GHS-R gene, it would be interesting to study the polymorphism on the bovine GHS-R gene. Screening for polymorphisms in the two exons on ten Belgian Blue bulls, ten Holsteins bulls and ten Limousin bulls revealed a total of four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): three SNPs are in the first exon and one SNP in the second exon. In order to evaluate if GHS-R could be involved in genetic variation for growth rate, carcass yield, milk portein and milk yield, an association study between SNPs on GHS-R gene and these traits could be performed in a major cattle population

Mapping and polymorphism of bovine ghreline gene

Bovine ghrelin, a 27-amino-acid peptide has been identified in bovine oxyntic glands of the abomasum. It is an endogenous growth hormone secretagogue. Total mRNA was extracted from abomasum and complete ghrelin mRNA was sequenced by rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The gene contains five exons and four introns with a short noncoding first exon of 17 bp similar to mouse and human ghrelin gene. Using a radiation hybrid panel, the gene was mapped to chromosome 22 near microsatellite markers UWCA49, BM4102, BMS1932, BM2613 and URB035 with good LOD Score. Some studies detected different QTLs near these markers like for milk fat percent, milk protein percent and somatic cell score. So, it would be interesting to study the polymorphism on the bovine ghrelin gene. Screening for polymorphisms in the five exons and the introns II and IV on ten Belgian Blue bulls, ten Holsteins bulls and ten Limousin bulls revealed a total of three single nucleotide polymorphisms. In order to evaluate if ghrelin could be involved in genetic variation for milk fat percent, milk protein percent and somatic cell score an association study between SNPs on ghrelin gene and these traits could be performed in a major cattle population

Effect of bovine colostrum on the serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), the IGF binding proteins-2 and -3 and the thyroid hormones in weaning piglets

This study examined the effect of a bovine colostrum supplementation on growth performance, feed intake and the hormonal response of piglets at weaning. Ninety-six newly-weaned piglets were assigned for four weeks to one of the two treatments: Control (diet with bovine milk whey) and Colostrum (diet with bovine colostrum whey) treatments. The supplements were incorporated in a commercial diet at 20 g/kg during the first 2 weeks after weaning and lowered to 10 g/kg for the next 2 weeks. Body weight and feed intake were measured weekly. Blood samples were taken weekly for determination of circulating IGF-I, its binding proteins and the thyroid hormones (T3 and T4). During the first week of the trial, the Colostrum-fed piglets presented improved growth performance, feed intake and feed efficiency and a higher concentration in circulating IGF-I (+ 15 %) compared to the Control piglets. In both treatments, the circulating thyroid hormones were reduced by weaning and the levels measured at weaning were recovered earlier by the Colostrum-fed piglets compared to the Control group (P < 0.05). It is concluded that hormonal response observed after the bovine colostrum supplementation is, at least in part, consequent of the positive action of bovine colostrum on the feed intake.Valorisation du colostrum bovin en production porcine, comme alternative aux antibiotique

The natural environment of the Spotted Butterfly Lizard [Leiolepis guttata (Cuvier, 1829), Leiolepidinae, Agamidae, Iguania, Sauria, Diapsida, Squamata, Reptilia] in South-central Vietnam

peer reviewedAprès avoir esquissé l’intérêt actuel porté à Leiolepis guttata, sa distribution naturelle est actualisée. Le climatope des stations concernées est défini. Les unités géomorphologiques qui s’y observent sont énumérées et les formations végétales décrites. La flore des sites naturels est dressée à partir de la littérature et de relevés effectués sur une dizaine de sites. La pédologie et la végétation d’une station naturelle sont décrites. La discussion aborde le régime alimentaire de l’espèce en milieu naturel et sa survie dans l’évolution climatique prédite et en réponse à la pression anthropique subie tant par la chasse que par la dégradation des écosystèmes naturels

Evaluation de la contamination de la chaïne trophique par les éléments traces (Cu, Co, Zn, Pb, Cd, U, V et As) dans le bassin de la Lufira supérieure (Katanga/RD Congo)

Evaluation of Contamination of the Food Chain by Trace Elements (Cu, Co, Zn, Pb, Cd, U, V and As) in the Basin of the Upper Lufira (Katanga/DR Congo). Seven trace elements (Cu, Co, Zn, Cd, Pb, U, V and As) were analyzed using a HR ICP-MS in samples of water, plankton, leaves of Phragmites australis, muscle and gills of three fish species (Oreochromis macrochir, Tilapia rendalli, Clarias gariepinus) collected in the basin of the upper Lufira. The results indicate a high copper (70.9 ppm) and cobalt (32.3 ppm) content in the effluent of complex hydrometallurgical Shituru. If contamination of rivers decreases with distance from the pollution source, the values are very high in lake Tshangalele for plankton and leaves of P. australis. For fish, the results indicate that Pb, U, V, Cu, Co and Cd accumulates preferentially in the gills but Zn accumulates more in the muscles. As accumulates in the same order of magnitude in both organs. These results confirm the pollution of the basin by the effluents from Lufira complex hydrometallurgical Shituru