Genetic Polymorphisms of the Glucocorticoid Receptor and Interleukin-8 Receptor Genes are Related to Production Traits and Hair Coat Score in Crossbred Cattle

The objective of this thesis was to identify polymorphisms in the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and interleukin-8 receptor (CXCR2) genes and to associate genotypes between the above mentioned polymorphisms and production traits in crossbred cattle. The hypothesis was that polymorphisms will exist for GR and CXCR2 genes and will be linked to production traits. Glucocorticoid receptors have been positively associated with higher milk yields, lactose content, feed intake, and feed conversion rates. Interleukin-8 genes are part of the innate immune response and help with many aspects of female reproduction health, such as protecting the embryo from the maternal immune system during pregnancy. Despite these things, very little is known about how GR and CXCR2 gene polymorphisms affect phenotypes in cattle. Blood samples were collected from ninety-four crossbred cattle over a period of three years (2012, 2013, 2014) and the DNA was extracted, amplified, and sent to GeneSeek in Lincoln, Nebraska, to be analyzed and genotyped for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). Phenotypic data was collected from the ninety-four crossbred cattle and analyzed alongside the genotypic results, including: cow pre-breeding BCS and weight, Julian calving date, calf birth weight, cow weaning BCS and weight, calf weaning weight, calf adjusted 205-day weight, cow efficiency, and HCS. Significant relationships were determined using t-tests. It is expected that SNPs will be found for the GR and CXCR2 genes and that these polymorphisms will be significantly related to the production traits in cattle. Scientists and breeders could manipulate these genes to produce cattle that are more efficient and possess more desirable production traits

Genetic Polymorphisms of the Glucocorticoid Receptor and Interleulin-8 Receptor Genes and their Relationship to Production Traits and Hair Coat Scores in Crossbred Cattle

Little is understood about how the diversity of genes, specifically the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and interleukin-8 receptor (CXCR2), are related to reproductive health and how this affects physical traits in cattle. Glucocorticoid receptors have been positively associated with higher milk yields, lactose content, feed intake, and feed conversion rates. Interleukin-8 genes are part of the innate immune response and help with many aspects of female reproductive health, such as protecting the embryo from the maternal immune system during pregnancy. The objective of this research was to identify polymorphisms in the GR and CXCR2 genes and to associate genotypes between the abovementioned polymorphisms and production traits in crossbred cattle. The hypothesis was that polymorphisms will exist for GR and CXCR2 genes and will be linked to production traits. Blood samples were collected from 94 crossbred cattle over a period of 3 years (2012, 2013, 2014) and the DNA was extracted, amplified, and sent to GeneSeek in Lincoln, Nebraska, to be analyzed and genotyped for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). Phenotypic data, including cow pre-breeding body condition score (BCS) and weight, Julian calving date, calf birth weight, cow weaning BCS and weight, calf weaning weight, calf adjusted 205-day weight, cow efficiency, and hair coat scores (HCS) were collected from the 94 crossbred cattle and analyzed alongside the genotypic results. Significant relationships were determined using t-tests. Single nucleotide polymorphisms were found for the GR and CXCR2 genes and the polymorphisms were significantly related to production traits in cattle. Scientists and breeders could manipulate these genes to produce cattle that are more efficient and possess more desirable production traits

Demand elasticities at the intensive and extensive margins for advertising mail traffic in the UK

National audienceThis book addresses major issues facing postal and delivery services throughout the world. Worldwide, there is currently a considerable amount of interest in postal and delivery economics. The industry is reacting to a state of near crisis and is implementing different drastic changes. The European Commission and member States are still wrestling with the problem of how to implement entry liberalization into postal markets, how to address digital competition, and how to maintain the Universal Service Obligation (USO).Digitalization, technological development and online platforms are strongly affecting both the way postal and delivery operators are managing their services, as well as their role on the market. Strong emphasis was attributed to the assets of Postal Operators (POs) and their added value in the digital age, as well as on new business strategies. This volume presents original essays by prominent researchers in the field, selected and edited from papers presented at the 27th Conference on Postal and Delivery Economics held in Dublin, Ireland, 22-25 May, 2019. Topics addressed by this volume include the fragmentation of the postal supply chain, blockchain and digital postal services, and the fading of traditional postal market boundaries. This book will be a useful tool not only for graduate students and professors, but also for postal administrations, consulting firms, and federal government departments

Do Commodity Traders Herd?

We test for herding using data on aggregate trader positions for four commodities over 20 years. We show that while the positions of commodity traders are highly related, the relatedness falls short of herding. The cross-commodity relatedness in trader positions is almost entirely explained by common demand and supply factors. Copyright (c) 2008, The Eastern Finance Association.