Cytogenetic Studies of Malayan Gaur (Bos Gaurus Hubbacki), Sahiwal-Friesian Cattle and Their Hybrid Backcrosses

In early April 1983, a stranded Malaysian gaur (Bos gaurus hubbacki) mated with a group of Sahiwal-Friesian dairy heifers and this resulted in the birth of an inter-specific hybrid calf named SELEMBU. In this study, chromosome analysis of four Malayan gaur (Bos gaurus hubbacki), ten Sahiwal-Friesian cattle and seven hybrid backcrosses was undertaken to determine their karyotype status and differences. The gaur and cattle has chromosome complements of 2n = 56 and 2n = 60, respectively. Two types of chromosomal arrangements of the backcrosses were observed; namely an intermediate to the parental species (2n = 58) and a cattle type (2n = 60). The backcrosses with 2n = 60 shared similar chromosomal arrangement and banding characteristics of the cattle. Backcrosses with 2n = 58 exhibited the non-homology of two submetacentric and two acrocentric autosomes, where the variations were inherited from the parental species that possessed different karyotypes. A comparison of the gaur with cattle, as the model of the ancestors of the modern bovids, showed structural and characteristic differences in their karyotypes. The gaur exhibited two pairs of submetacentric chromosomes and lacked two chromosome pairs, which had resulted from Robertsonian translocations during their karyotype evolution. Banded karyotypes revealed extensive similarities of chromosomes 1 and 2 of the Malayan gaur to the homologous acrocentric chromosomes of cattle. For the first time, chromosome 1 of the gaur was identified to contain an ancient origin inverted segment compared to cattle, which was homozygous in all the studied gaur samples. The intensity of the C-bands on chromosomes 1 and 2 suggested that the translocations occurred at different periods of time during the karyotype evolution

Karyotype of Malayan Gaur (Bos gaurus hubbacki) , Sahiwal-Fresien cattle and Gaur x cattle hybrids backcrosses.

Interspecific hybridization has been reported for a wide variety of vertebrate species either spontaneous or by organized crossing of bovine species. The hybrids were often carrying intermediate characters genetically and phenotypically of the parents. Thus, status information of both aspects is valuable in animal production for selection and breeding management. The Gaur-cattle hybrids was reported to be superior in production value compared to their parent cattle but fertility status was still questionable. The project was abandoned due to their fertility issue and the hybrids were kept within the cattle in a dairy farm. Cytogenetic status and breeding record of the remaining herd were unavailable since then. The herd was then translocated to a deer farm (PTH Lenggong) and kept freely in the paddock. Recently, two female calves were born via inter se mating. Peripheral blood cultures of Malayan Gaur, Sahiwal-Friesian cattle and Gaur x cattle hybrid backcrosses were analyzed via Giemsa stained metaphase. The Gaur and cattle were having diploid chromosome number (2n) of 56 and 60, respectively. Interestingly, the backcrosses from the hybrids by cattle bulls were found to have two chromosome arrangements, which are 2n = 58 and 2n = 60

Twinning and Ovulation Rate for Sustainable Production in Cattle

Profits is very important in most industries and determined by the cost and amount of products generated. In the livestock industries, higher number of viable animals produced will improve the economies of scale, hence, their profit. In general, twinning can be a good approach to increase reproductive capacity, and consequently the production volume. Cattle are monovular animal, typically give birth to one offspring and multiple birth is rare. Multiple gestation is mostly unfavorable in the dairy industry due to their negative impact on reproductive and production performance on cow and calf. Twinning is highly correlated to ovulation rate and various genes that are affecting hyperprolificacy in sheep have been identified. Many studies have reported quantitative trait loci (QTL) that are associated with high ovulation rate and twinning in cattle. Besides the genetic factor, twinning can also be induced via hormonal methods. Knowledge on the factors that causing hyperprolificacy can assist the breeders or farmers for their selection, based on their objectives and strategy

Trio a novel bovine high-fecundity allele: II. Hormonal profile and follicular dynamics underlying the high ovulation rate

The newly discovered Trio high-fecundity allele produces multiple ovulations in cattle. This study evaluated (1) size and growth rates of follicles in Trio carriers during a synchronized follicular wave, induced by follicle aspiration; (2) follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) patterns associated with the follicular wave; (3) size of corpora lutea (CL) and circulating progesterone; and (4) intrafollicular estradiol concentrations prior to normal deviation. Trio carriers had mean dominant follicles that were significantly smaller in diameter and volume than noncarriers. Onset of diameter deviation occurred at ∼3 days after the last follicle aspiration in both genotypes despite Trio carriers having much smaller individual follicles. Follicles of Trio carriers grew at a slower rate than noncarrier follicles (∼65% in mm/day or ∼30% in mm3/day) resulting in much smaller individual dominant follicles (∼25% volume). However, total dominant follicle volume, calculated as the sum of all dominant follicles in each animal, was similar in carriers and noncarriers of Trio throughout the entire follicular wave. Circulating FSH was greater in Trio carriers during the 24 h encompassing deviation. Trio carriers had significantly more ovulations than noncarriers, and individual CL volume was smaller, although total luteal tissue volume and circulating P4 were not different. Thus, increased ovulation rate in Trio carriers relates to smaller individual follicles (one-third the volume) near the time of deviation due to slower follicle growth rate, although time of deviation is similar, with increased circulating FSH near deviation leading to selection of multiple dominant follicles in Trio carriers with similar total follicle volume

Proteomic analysis of follicular fluid in carriers and non-carriers of the Trio allele for high ovulation rate in cattle

This study was conducted to characterise differences in follicular fluid proteins between carriers and non-carriers of a bovine allele for high ovulation rate. A total of four non-carrier and five carrier females were used in an initial study with four and six additional non-carriers and carriers respectively used in a validation study. Emergence of the follicular wave was synchronised and the ovaries containing the dominant follicle(s) were extracted by ovariectomy for follicular fluid collection. A hexapeptide ligand library was used to overcome the masking effect of high-abundance proteins and to increase detection of low-abundance proteins in tandem mass spectrometry. After correcting for multiple comparisons, only two proteins, glia-derived nexin precursor (SERPINE2) and inhibin β B chain precursor (INHBB), were significantly differentially expressed (false-discovery rate <0.05). In a replicate study of analogous design differential expression was confirmed (P<0.05). Joint analysis of results from the two studies indicated that three additional proteins were consistently differentially expressed between genotypes. For three of these five, previous studies have indicated that expression is increased by transforming growth factor-β-bone morphogenetic protein signalling; their reduction in follicular fluid from carrier animals is consistent with the ~9-fold overexpression of SMAD family member 6 (SMAD6) in carriers that is inhibitory to this pathway

A case study: environmental stressor leading to reproduction problem in a cow

Heat stress may have long-lasting effects on the reproductive physiology where the fertility will be reduced. During gestation, heat stress affects also the reproductive success of the cow through its direct effect on the early foetus development. The present case reports the incidence of heat stress causing abortion of a full-term foetus and a retained placenta in a cow. A 4-year-old Kedah Kelantan cross cow weighing 250 kg was presented with a primary complaint of abortion and a retained placenta. The cow was managed intensively on a dirt ground without shade. Physical examination revealed that the cow was pyrexic (40⁰C) with congested mucous membrane. However, the body temperature reduced after the cow was showered and transferred into a shade facility. The most noticeable abnormality was the fouled smelling placenta hanging from the vulva. The case was diagnosed as abortion due to environmental stress. Treatment of flunixin meglumine 1.1 mg/kg and oxytetracycline 20 mg/kg were administered accordingly where the cow responded well to the medication. The farm manager was advised to shift all pregnant animals into a facility with shade and practise good waste management in the farm to prevent the occurrence of abortion and other problems related to heat stress. The prognosis of the case was good with prompt diagnosis and effective treatment

Do different vaccination regimes affect the growth performance, immune status, carcase characteristics and meat quality of broilers?

1. A vaccination regime is a schedule for the administration of vaccines which may vary according to country or even by farm. This study aimed to measure the production and health performance of broilers treated with different vaccination regimes. 2. A total of 108 Cobb 500 broiler birds were randomly divided into three treatment groups, with six replicates consisting of six birds per replicate. Each treatment group was administered with different vaccination regimes against Newcastle Disease (ND), Infectious Bronchitis (IB) and Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD). Treatment 1 (T1) broilers were vaccinated against ND+IB and IBD on days 7 and 14 of age, respectively (control); Treatment 2 (T2) broilers were vaccinated against ND+IB on days 3 and 7 of age, and IBD on day 14; and Treatment 3 (T3) broilers were vaccinated against ND+IB on days 7 and 21 and IBD on day 14. Throughout the 42-day study period, data and samples were collected to determine the growth performance, immune status, carcase characteristics and meat quality. 3. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) on growth performance (body weight, body weight gain, feed intake and cumulative feed conversion ratio), white blood cell count (heterophils percentage, lymphocytes percentage and heterophils to lymphocytes ratio), carcase characteristics (kill-out weight, de-feathered weight, dressing percentage, drumsticks and gastrointestinal tract weight) and meat quality (cooking loss and drip loss) between treatments. T1 broilers showed better growth, white blood cell count, carcase characteristics and meat quality compared to T2 and T3 broilers. 4. Based on findings from the current work, vaccination against ND+IB and IBD on days 7 and 14 proved to be the best vaccination regime for broiler production, due to the better production performance and health status of broilers

Sustainable feed resources for optimizing broiler performance in tropical countries

Soybean meal and grain corn are feedstuffs that normally used as the main ingredients in poultry feeds as a source of protein and energy in tropical countries. The availability of these feedstuffs for broiler nutrition nowadays is becoming more competitive. Thus, food security, especially in the developing countries, would be susceptible. Currently, efforts are being made to use alternative feedstuffs as a sustainable feed resources to substitute portion of soybean meal and grain corn in poultry diets due to their high price since both of the raw material were imported. In Malaysia, usage of PKC is common in ruminant diets, but limited in the non-ruminant diets especially in poultry diets due to the high fiber content of PKC. Several works have been conducted to increase the nutritional contents of PKC as one of the measures to reduce and/or eliminate the constraints of utilizing PKC in poultry diets. The method used to achieve this target is either through physical, chemical, biological or combination of these treatments. This paper discusses the use of PKC as the sustainable feed resources that can be incorporated in the poultry feeds. Hence, emphasis should be given to improve nutritional values of PKC in order to reduce feeding cost of poultry

Telomere Length, Apoptotic, and Inflammatory Genes: Novel Biomarkers of Gastrointestinal Tract Pathology and Meat Quality Traits in Chickens under Chronic Stress (Gallus gallus domesticus)

This study was designed to examine the potentials of telomere length, mitochondria, and acute phase protein genes as novel biomarkers of gastrointestinal (GI) tract pathologies and meat quality traits. Chickens were fed a diet containing corticosterone (CORT) for 4 weeks and records on body weight, telomere length, GI tract and muscle histopathological test, meat quality traits, mitochondria, and acute phase protein genes were obtained at weeks 4 and 6 of age. The body weight of CORT-fed chickens was significantly suppressed (p &lt; 0.05). CORT significantly altered the GI tract and meat quality traits. The interaction effect of CORT and age on body weight, duodenum and ileum crypt depth, pH, and meat color was significant (p &lt; 0.05). CORT significantly (p &lt; 0.05) shortened buffy coat telomere length. UCP3 and COX6A1 were diversely and significantly expressed in the muscle, liver, and heart of the CORT-fed chicken. Significant expression of SAAL1 and CRP in the liver and hypothalamus of the CORT-fed chickens was observed at week 4 and 6. Therefore, telomere lengths, mitochondria, and acute phase protein genes could be used as novel biomarkers for GI tract pathologies and meat quality traits

Trio, a novel high fecundity allele: I. Transcriptome analysis of granulosa cells from carriers and non-carriers of a major gene for bovine ovulation rate

A major gene for bovine ovulation rate has been mapped to a 1.2 Mb region of chromosome 10. Screening of coding regions of positional candidate genes within this region failed to reveal a causative polymorphism, leading to the hypothesis that the phenotype results from differences in candidate gene expression rather than alteration of gene structure. This study tested differences in expression of positional candidate genes in granulosa cells between carriers and noncarriers of the high fecundity allele, as well as characterizing differences in the transcriptomic profile between genotypes. Five carriers and five noncarriers, female descendants of "Trio," a carrier of the high fecundity allele were initially used in an RNA-seq analysis of gene expression. Four of ten samples were contaminated with theca cells, so that six samples were used in the final analysis (three of each genotype). Of 14 973 genes expressed, 143 were differentially expressed (false discovery rate P < 0.05) in carriers versus noncarriers. Among the positional candidate genes, SMAD6 was 6.6-fold overexpressed in the carriers compared to noncarriers (P < 5 × 10-5). This result was replicated in an independent group of 12 females (7 carriers and 5 noncarriers) using quantitative real-time PCR; SMAD6 was 9.3-fold overexpressed in carriers versus noncarriers (P = 1.17 × 10-6). Association of overexpression of SMAD6, an inhibitor of the BMP/SMAD signaling pathway, with high ovulation rate corresponds well with disabling mutations in ligands (BMP15 and GDF9) and a receptor (BMPR1B) of this pathway that cause increased ovulation rate in sheep