Qualità e grado di conservazione del paesaggio vegetale del litorale sabbioso del Veneto (Italia settentrionale).

Puberty is a complex physiological event by which animals mature into an adult capable of sexual reproduction. In order to enhance our understanding of the genes and regulatory pathways and networks involved in puberty, we characterized the transcriptome of five reproductive tissues (i.e. hypothalamus, pituitary gland, ovary, uterus, and endometrium) as well as tissues known to be relevant to growth and metabolism needed to achieve puberty (i.e., longissimus dorsi muscle, adipose, and liver). These tissues were collected from pre- and post-pubertal Brangus heifers (3/8 Brahman; Bos indicus x 5/8 Angus; Bos taurus) derived from a population of cattle used to identify quantitative trait loci associated with fertility traits (i.e., age of first observed corpus luteum (ACL), first service conception (FSC), and heifer pregnancy (HPG)). In order to exploit the power of complementary omics analyses, pre- and post-puberty co-expression gene networks were constructed by combining the results from genome-wide association studies (GWAS), RNA-Seq, and bovine transcription factors. Eight tissues among pre-pubertal and post-pubertal Brangus heifers revealed 1,515 differentially expressed and 943 tissue-specific genes within the 17,832 genes confirmed by RNA-Seq analysis. The hypothalamus experienced the most notable up-regulation of genes via puberty (i.e., 204 out of 275 genes). Combining the results of GWAS and RNA-Seq, we identified 25 loci containing a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) associated with ACL, FSC, and (or) HPG. Seventeen of these SNP were within a gene and 13 of the genes were expressed in uterus or endometrium. Multi-tissue omics analyses revealed 2,450 co-expressed genes relative to puberty. The pre-pubertal network had 372,861 connections whereas the post-pubertal network had 328,357 connections. A sub-network from this process revealed key transcriptional regulators (i.e., PITX2, FOXA1, DACH2, PROP1, SIX6, etc.). Results from these multi-tissue omics analyses improve understanding of the number of genes and their complex interactions for puberty in cattle

Livestock Mortality Composting to Mitigate Livestock Predator Interactions

When a large animal dies on a farm or ranch, there are often few options for disposal. In California, there are limited legal options especially as rendering facilities have closed, and both regulatory burden and the number of predators on the landscape have increased. Livestock Mortality Composting could be a viable solution to address these challenges. Composting of mammalian tissue is legal in most states and recommended for on-farm disposal of livestock mortalities but is currently illegal in California. Instead, many ranches have opted to use “bone piles” to dispose of livestock mortalities. This option has been shown to attract large predators such as wolves, mountain lions, bears and others making it a hazard for livestock operations by increasing the likelihood of livestock-predator interactions. Removing these bone piles is the number one predator attractant removal recommended by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Mammalian tissue composting is also a viable option for waste from on-farm animal processing especially as this practice has become more popular in the last few years. After navigating the regulatory oversight of multiple local and state agencies, a livestock mortality composting site was approved for research at the Intermountain Research and Extension Center in Tulelake, California. This site has composted four adult cows and demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of this process. Pile temperature was taken at 18 and 36 inches from August 2020 to January 2022. After each additional mortality, the temperature reached over 131°F for at least 72 hours to kill potential pathogens. Trail cameras were deployed at the compost site and at three nearby bone piles to compare wildlife interactions. The bone piles received on average 390 and 292 visits from predators in year one and year two respectively compared to eight visits to the compost pile. A best management practices document has been written to provide an on-farm livestock mortality composting exemption that falls within current California composting laws. This exemption could be carried out at the local, regional, or state level, although permanent changes to this policy will most likely need a legislative change

Identificación de un polimorfismo del gen PAPP-A2 asociado a la fertilidad en vaquillas Romosinuano criadas en subtrópico

The objective was to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) associated to fertility in cows raised under a subtropical environment. Re-sequencing of nine genes associated to GH-IGF endocrine pathway, which are located in bovine chromosomes 5, 16 and 20, identified 73 SNP useful for associative genetic studies, however, only seven resulted as polymorphic and unique to the Romosinuano breed. Then, DNA samples were extracted from 129 beef heifers and used to determine genotypes corresponding to each SNP. Mixed model analysis identified one SNP from the PAPP-A2 gene (C/T, rs110490898) as predictor (PEl objetivo fue identificar polimorfismos de un solo nucleótido (SNP) asociados a la fertilidad en hembras bovinas criadas en subtropico. La re-secuenciación de nueve genes relacionados al eje endocrino GH-IGF, localizados en los cromosomas 5, 16 y 20 del bovino, identificó 73 SNP útiles para estudios genéticos asociativos, sin embargo, sólo siete resultaron polimórficos y exclusivos de la raza Romosinuano. Muestras de ADN se extrajeron de 129 vaquillas Romosinuano y usadas para determinar los genotipos correspondientes a cada SNP. Un análisis de modelos mixtos identificó únicamente a un polimorfismo del gen PAPP-A2 (C/T, rs110490898) como predictor (

Mineral status of California beef cattle

Optimal mineral nutrition is required for cattle reproduction, immune function, and structural development. Formal evaluation of the current mineral status of California beef cattle is currently lacking. In 2017, a survey was initiated that evaluated a panel of 10 different minerals in 14 counties across California. Samples were collected from 555 cattle at 50 different ranches. Region of the state significantly affected herd mineral status. Herd use of supplements was also significant, and increased most blood levels of the mineral(s) targeted for supplementation. Forage source was idiosyncratic on its effect of mineral status. Previous blood survey data showed selenium to be widely deficient in California cattle in the 1970s and 1980s, but in this case, it was generally adequate in all areas of California. This indicates a good producer understanding of where supplementation is needed. Copper deficiency was more widespread in the southern region when compared with further north. Zinc deficiency was seen ubiquitously statewide, with 36% of animals being deficient. Manganese has been largely ignored in California. This study is the first known documentation of manganese levels in the state. Sampling found 92% of cattle fell below critical manganese levels. However, further research to better define manganese critical levels is probably warranted. The status of other minerals is presented

Neuropeptidome of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland of indicine × taurine heifers: evidence of differential neuropeptide processing in the pituitary gland before and after puberty

Puberty in cattle is regulated by an endocrine axis, which includes a complex milieu of neuropeptides in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The neuropeptidome of hypothalamic-pituitary gland tissue of pre- (PRE) and postpubertal (POST) Bos indicus-influenced heifers was characterized, followed by quantitative analysis of 51 fertility-related neuropeptides in these tissues. Comparison of peptide abundances with gene expression levels allowed assessment of post-transcriptional peptide processing. On the basis of classical cleavage, 124 mature neuropeptides from 35 precursor proteins were detected in hypothalamus and pituitary gland tissues of three PRE and three POST Brangus heifers. An additional 19 peptides (cerebellins, PEN peptides) previously reported as neuropeptides that did not follow classical cleavage were also identified. In the pre-pubertal hypothalamus, a greater diversity of neuropeptides (25.8%) was identified relative to post-pubertal heifers, while in the pituitary gland, 38.6% more neuropeptides were detected in the post-pubertal heifers. Neuro-tissues of PRE and POST heifers revealed abundance differences ( p < 0.05) in peptides from protein precursors involved in packaging and processing (e.g., the granin family and ProSAAS) or neuron stimulation (PENK, CART, POMC, cerebellins). On their own, the transcriptome data of the precursor genes could not predict the neuropeptide profile in the exact same tissues in several cases. This provides further evidence of the importance of differential processing of the neuropeptide precursors in the pituitary before and after puberty

Neuropeptidome of the Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland of Indicine × Taurine Heifers: Evidence of Differential Neuropeptide Processing in the Pituitary Gland before and after Puberty

Puberty in cattle is regulated by an endocrine axis, which includes a complex milieu of neuropeptides in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The neuropeptidome of hypothalamic–pituitary gland tissue of pre- (PRE) and postpubertal (POST) <i>Bos indicus</i>-influenced heifers was characterized, followed by quantitative analysis of 51 fertility-related neuropeptides in these tissues. Comparison of peptide abundances with gene expression levels allowed assessment of post-transcriptional peptide processing. On the basis of classical cleavage, 124 mature neuropeptides from 35 precursor proteins were detected in hypothalamus and pituitary gland tissues of three PRE and three POST Brangus heifers. An additional 19 peptides (cerebellins, PEN peptides) previously reported as neuropeptides that did not follow classical cleavage were also identified. In the pre-pubertal hypothalamus, a greater diversity of neuropeptides (25.8%) was identified relative to post-pubertal heifers, while in the pituitary gland, 38.6% more neuropeptides were detected in the post-pubertal heifers. Neuro-tissues of PRE and POST heifers revealed abundance differences (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in peptides from protein precursors involved in packaging and processing (e.g., the granin family and ProSAAS) or neuron stimulation (PENK, CART, POMC, cerebellins). On their own, the transcriptome data of the precursor genes could not predict the neuropeptide profile in the exact same tissues in several cases. This provides further evidence of the importance of differential processing of the neuropeptide precursors in the pituitary before and after puberty

Gene co-expression networks constructed by combining results from RNA-Seq and GWAS with the knowledge of transcription regulators for pre-PRE (left panels) and post-pubertal (right panel) heifers.

<p>Upper panels correspond to the visualization of the entire network comprising 2,450 nodes (or genes) while the lower panels correspond to the expansion of trio of TF comprised of <i>OVGP1</i>, <i>NRIP1</i> and <i>MYF5</i>, defined as the best trio in terms of their ability to expand the majority of the topology of the entire networks. Colors represent tissue of maximum expression: hypothalamus and/or pituitary gland (dark blue), ovary (light blue), uterus and/or endometrium (pink), liver (green), <i>longissimus dorsi</i> muscle (red), adipose (yellow).</p

Heat maps of the differential expression in PRE versus POST pubertal heifers across tissues.

<p>Left panel: differential expression (DE) of 39 hormones. Right panel: differential expression of 40 tissue-specific (TS) transcription factors. Abbreviations of tissues: HYP (hypothalamus); PIT (pituitary gland); UTE (uterus); END (endometrium); OVA (ovary); FAT (adipose); LIV (liver); LDM (<i>longissimus dorsi</i> muscle). The spectrum goes from bright green (down-regulation) to bright red (up-regulation).</p

Top ten molecular function gene ontology (GO) terms significantly enriched among the 1,515 differentially expressed unique genes across the tissues.

<p>Top ten molecular function gene ontology (GO) terms significantly enriched among the 1,515 differentially expressed unique genes across the tissues.</p

Hierarchical clusters from RNA-Seq data of 17,832 genes across 61 tissues.

<p>Samples clustered first by tissue of origin and then by stage, PRE or POST-puberty. Abbreviations of samples include: HYP (hypothalamus); PIT (pituitary gland); UTE (uterus); END (endometrium); OVA (ovary); FAT (adipose); LIV (liver); LDM (<i>longissimus dorsi</i> muscle).</p