Evaluation of candidate gene effects and environmental factors on reproductive performance of Holstein cows

This study investigated the impact of nine polymorphisms located in the CSN2, CSN3, CSN1S1, CSN1S2, OLR1, LALBA, STAT1, DGAT1 and LGB genes, and environmental factors including calving year, season and parity on reproductive traits. The analysis was conducted on 165 Holstein-Friesian cows. Genotypes were identified using PCR-RFLP. The data of reproductive traits for four lactations were evaluated. Statistical analysis was carried out using least squares of the GLM procedures. Results indicated that CSN2 had significant effects on days before first insemination and first insemination to pregnancy interval. The SNP at the CSN3 was significantly associated with gestation length. A novel effect of OLR1-C223A on age at first calving was observed in the present study. Moreover, DGAT1 and LGB markers were significantly associated with calving interval and days before first insemination, respectively. In addition, significant environmental effects were as follows: calving year with days before first oestrus, days open, and first insemination to pregnancy interval; season with days open, first insemination to pregnancy interval, and calving interval; parity with days before first oestrus and days open. The present results and novel associations may therefore be useful and indicative for future studies on a genetic basis of cattle reproduction traits.Keywords: cattle, environmental effects, genetic marker, Holstein-Friesian, reproduction parameter

The Effects of UV Exposure on the Antioxidant Enzyme Systems of Anemones

Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) which are housekeeping enzymes protect cells from harmful side effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Anemonia sulcata var. smaragdina andAnemonia rustica are widely distributed along the Turkish coastlines of Aegean Sea. Recent studies showed that the environmental stresses such as elevated temperature, ultraviolet light, pathogen infection and decreased salinity might cause well known bleaching effects in Anemonia species. The effect of UV-light on antioxidant enzyme activities such as SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, protein levels and secondary pigments were determined in A. sulcata var. smaragdina and A. rustica. SOD, CAT, GSH-Px activities, protein levels and secondary pigments of these morphotypes were observed in both tentacles and columns separately. According to studies on bleaching, the elevated UV radiation may cause this bleaching event as a stress factor. However, in the present study no bleaching event was observed in anemone samples even they are exposed to 5 hours UV-exposure. Moreover, UV exposure did not change antioxidant systems remarkably. However, many investigations are still needed for obtaining the complete picture of the effects of UV-light on cellular pathways of cnidarian–algal symbiosis

Relationship of the bovine IGF1, TG, DGAT1 and MYF5 genes to meat colour, tenderness and cooking loss

ΔΕΝ ΔΙΑΤΙΘΕΤΑΙ ΠΕΡΙΛΗΨΗBovine insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), thyroglobulin (TG), diacylglycerol-O-acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) and myogenic factor 5 (MYF5) genes play an important role in the physiology of lipid and muscle metabolism and are therefore considered as candidate genes for meat production traits in farm animals. The objectives of this study were to investigate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IGF1, TG, DGAT1 and MYF5 genes and to evaluate whether these polymorphisms affected meat colour, tenderness and cooking loss in Holstein cattle. Initially, the SNPs were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. Meat samples (N= 50) derived from M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) were used in the current study. Significant differences in variations of meat colour parameters were observed at 24 hours post-mortem. IGF1 was associated with colour parameters of a* and chroma values. In addition, effects of TG were statistically significant on L* and a* values, while, effects of MYF5 were significant on a* value. There was no association of the tested SNPs with meat pH, tenderness and cooking loss. The results presented here may give the valuable information for improving meat colour in cattle

Comprehensive assessment of candidate genes associated with fattening performance in Holstein–Friesian bulls

The objective of this study was to determine the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in selected candidate genes with fattening performance traits in a commercial cattle herd. Fifteen SNPs in 12 candidate genes (LEP, FABP4, DGAT1, TG, IGF1, IGF1R, MYF5, LGB, CAPN1, CAST, GHR, and OLR1) were evaluated in 296 purebred Holstein–Friesian bulls using PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction – restriction fragment length polymorphism). Associations between each segregating SNP and genetic merit for fattening performance were quantified using linear mixed models. Traits included in the study were fattening period, final weight, dry matter intake, feed conversion rate, and average daily weight gain. Apart from the general determination of the above-mentioned traits, each trait was evaluated based on the fattening periods between five selected target body weights (W1&thinsp;=&thinsp;100&thinsp;kg, W2&thinsp;=&thinsp;200&thinsp;kg, W3&thinsp;=&thinsp;300&thinsp;kg, W4&thinsp;=&thinsp;400&thinsp;kg, W5&thinsp;=&thinsp;450&thinsp;kg). All markers with the exception of CAPN1 530, IGF1R, TG, and DGAT1 were associated with at least one of the traits. Furthermore, novel associations were observed for LEP&thinsp;×&thinsp;GHR, IGF1&thinsp;×&thinsp;LEP, FABP4 3691&thinsp;×&thinsp;FABP4 2834, and FAP4 3533&thinsp;×&thinsp;LEP interactions. The results of this study confirm some previously reported associations. Moreover, novel associations have been identified, which may be incorporated into breeding programs to improve fattening performance.</p

A novel form of recessive limb girdle muscular dystrophy with mental retardation and abnormal expression of alpha-dystroglycan

Cataloged from PDF version of article.The limb girdle muscular dystrophies are a heterogeneous group of conditions characterized by proximal muscle weakness and disease onset ranging from infancy to adulthood. We report here eight patients from seven unrelated families affected by a novel and relatively mild form of autosomal recessive limb girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD2) with onset in the first decade of life and characterized by severe mental retardation but normal brain imaging. Immunocytochemical studies revealed a significant selective reduction of α-dystroglycan expression in the muscle biopsies. Linkage analysis excluded known loci for both limb girdle muscular dystrophy and congenital muscular dystrophies in the consanguineous families. We consider that this represents a novel form of muscular dystrophy with associated brain involvement. The biochemical studies suggest that it may belong to the growing number of muscular dystrophies with abnormal expression of α-dystroglycan. © 2003 Published by Elsevier B.V

Histopathological and biochemical findings of congenital copper deficiency: are these similar to those of caprine arthritis-encephalitis?

This study was done after identifying animals with a twisted carpal joint in goat herd. These included a kid goat walking on its articulus carpii and a newborn goat with a stiff leg. Necropsies of the diseased goats revealed swollen carpal joints that were twisted backwards. Arthritis was observed during microscopic examination of the carpal joints. Very low levels of eosinophil, leucocyte, and lymphocyte cell infiltration were found in the central nervous system and meninges. Serum copper levels were significantly decreased in most of the animals. All of these results led us to diagnose the animals with swayback disease