Quantitative Trait Loci affecting the somatic cell score on chromosome 4 and 26 in Italian Holstein cattle

This work aimed to confirm previously reported quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting the somatic cell score (SCS) in dairy cattle on Bos taurus autosomes (BTA) 4 and 26. A granddaughter design with selective genotyping was implemented that included half-sib families from 12 male lines of Italian Holstein cattle. The animals were genotyped for 5 microsatellite markers each on regions of BTA 4 (average marker spacing 9.42 cM) and BTA 26 (average marker spacing 5.26 cM), previously reported by other authors as carrying QTL for somatic cell count. Quantitative trait loci analyses were performed using interval mapping by regressing sire breeding values for SCS onto genotype probabilities at 1-cM intervals along the 2 chromosome regions. Breeding values for SCS were estimated for the whole population using a test-day repeatability animal model. Results were not significant on a chromosome basis, but a possible QTL was found at BM4505 on BTA 26, confirming this region for further studies of QTL affecting SCS in the Italian Holstein population

Histocompatibility genes and somatic cell count (SCC) in Italian Holstein Friesian

Geni di istocompatibilit\ue0 e conta delle cellule somatiche (SCC) nella Frisona Italiana \u2013 Lo studio ha considerato l\u2019effetto del Complesso Maggiore di Istocompatibilit\ue0 (MHC) sulla mastite, clinica e subclinica, utilizzando l\u2019Indice Genetico (I.G.) per la conta delle cellule somatiche: SCC (Somatic Cell Count). Su un totale di 302 tori di razza Frisona Italiana, valutati geneticamente per le cellule somatiche, sono stati analizzati il polimorfismo degli antigeni di istocompatibilit\ue0 di classe I (test di microlinfocitotossicit\ue0 locus BoLA-A) e di classe II (PCR/RFLP del locus DRB3 esone 2). L\u2019effetto degli antigeni di istocompatibilit\ue0 sugli indici genetici \ue8 stato valutato con un modello di sostituzione genica

LTA4H and FXR1 Gene and Protein Expression in Canine Oral Melanoma

Introduction: Canine oral melanoma is a common neoplasm that is usually considered malignant, although the correlation between histology and prognosis is still controversial. Therefore, research of new biological markers is ongoing. In this study, LTA4H (an enzyme of the arachidonic acid cascade) and FXR1 (a RNA binding protein) are investigated. Both have been investigated previously for their possible role in metastasis of ocular melanoma, and are studied here in canine oral melanoma. Materials and Methods: Twenty-nine samples of formalin-fixed and paraffin wax-embedded canine oral melanomas were analyzed. Routine HE sections were evaluated on light microscopy and received a histological description, including mitotic activity index (MI). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for LTA4H, FXR1 and Ki67 was performed. LTA4H and FXR1 were scored semiquantitatively and Ki67 was scored quantitatively. The expression of LTA4H and FXR1 genes was also quantified by RT-PCR. Results: Most of the cases were epithelioid, poorly pigmented melanomas. MI ranged from 0.1 to 9.2 (median 1.1). Ki67 index ranged from 7.9 to 44.4% (median 19%). IHC was positive in 29/29 LTA4H and 28/29 FXR1, with variable intensity and percentage of positivity. RT-PCR relative expression values ranged from 0.49 to 9.11 for LTA4H and 0.15 to 10.33 for FXR1 (in four cases was under the detection limit). Conclusions: LTA4H and FXR1 were detected in all tested melanomas. Marked differences between cases were noted with RT-PCR, although target gene expression levels were not consistent with histological parameters or Ki67 index. Conversely, immunohistochemical positivity was elevated in most cases with negligible expression differences. Further work is ongoing to clarify the prognostic significance of different levels of expression

Genetic screening of the inherited Ichtyosis causative mutation in Chianina cattle

Inherited Ichthyosis is a genetic disorder reported in both humans and animals, including bovines. Two inherited forms were reported in cattle and both are transmitted in an autosomal recessive manner: Ichthyosis Fetalis (IF) and Ichthyosis Congenita (IC). A causative mutation of IF in Chianina cattle was recently indentified in the ABC12 gene. This work reports the first genetic screening using this recently available genetic test on Chianina cattle. Tests were performed on both the population of farm breeding selected young bulls (131 samples randomly chosen) and high breeding value sires (16 samples). Results confirm a low total prevalence of carriers in the selected sire population (2/131; 1.5%) and the presence of the disease allele among the high value selected sires (1/16; 6.3%). This result strengthens the importance to continue the genetic screening program, particularly in performance tested bulls approved for use in AI or natural servic

The ascent of cat breeds : genetic evaluations of breeds and worldwide random-bred populations

The diaspora of the modern cat was traced with microsatellite markers from the presumed site of domestication to distant regions of the world. Genetic data were derived from over 1100 individuals, representing 17 random-bred populations from five continents and 22 breeds. The Mediterranean was reconfirmed to be the probable site of domestication. Genetic diversity has remained broad throughout the world, with distinct genetic clustering in the Mediterranean basin, Europe/America, Asia and Africa. However, Asian cats appeared to have separated early and expanded in relative isolation. Most breeds were derived from indigenous cats of their purported regions of origin. However, the Persian and Japanese bobtail were more aligned with European/American than with Mediterranean basin or Asian clusters. Three recently derived breeds were not distinct from their parental breeds of origin. Pure breeding was associated with a loss of genetic diversity; however, this loss did not correlate with breed popularity or age

Studio del gene NRAMP1 in relazione alla tubercolosi bovina

Despite eradication programs, bovine tuberculosis is still a sanitary and economic problem in Italy. A different and interesting solution to the problem is the genetic approach, aimed to identify genetic susceptibility/resistance to the disease. As a candidate gene for bovine tuberculosis resistance we studied NRAMP1 gene, which encodes a protein thought to play some role in the priming of macrophages for activation, which in turn regulates the multiplication of a variety of intracellular pathogens, like M. bovis. To study NRAMP1 in cattle, we both sequenced part of the gene, and analysed three linked microsatellites. One of these markers, AR028 was found to be polymorphic with 7 alleles and a slight significant effect has been found for immunoglobulin production to M. bovis antigens