Mapeamento de QTL nos cromossomos 24 e 29 para medidas de peso, resistência a carrapato e estresse térmico em uma população F2 (Gir X Holandês)

In the latest years, Brazil became one of the most important countries regarding the production and exportation of animal-based food. Improvements on the sanitary conditions and animal research applied to animal production were some of the elements which have placed Brazil in this highlight position. However, difficulties on controlling the tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and herd management limitations concerning heat stress situations hamper a greater development on the national production. A significant part of the variation on these traits is controlled by many genes (Quantitative Trait Loci - QTL). The identification of loci influencing these traits is important for genetic improvement programs. The objective of this study was to identify and map QTL for tick resistance and heat stress tolerance in the chromosomes 24 and 29, as well as QTL related to growth traits in a F2 population (Gir x Holstein) by using the microsatellites scan methodology. No QTL was identified for the tick number found. However, on chromosome 24, an indicative QTL (P<0.10) for birth weight was identified. On chromosome 29, significant QTL for sweating rate (P<0.01) and respiration frequency (P<0.05) were also recognized. In addition, a suggestive QTL (P<0.05) for standardized weaning weight was found in chromosome 29 in one of the families. These results could help to improve the knowledge about the general factors affecting the evaluated traits, making possible the development of more efficient selection strategies for the environment conditions in the Brazilian production systems.Financiadora de Estudos e ProjetosNos últimos anos, o Brasil tornou-se um dos principais países produtores e exportadores de produtos de origem animal. Melhorias nas condições sanitárias e pesquisas em melhoramento animal são alguns dos fatores que levaram o Brasil a essa posição de destaque. Entretanto, dificuldades no controle do carrapato Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus e no manejo do rebanho em situações de estresse térmico prejudicam o maior desenvolvimento da produção nacional. Uma parte significativa da variação dessas características quantitativas são controladas por vários genes (Quantitative Trait Loci - QTL). A identificação desses locos que influenciam essas características é de grande importância para o melhoramento genético. Esse trabalho teve como objetivo identificar e mapear QTL nos cromossomos 24 e 29 para resistência ao carrapato, tolerância ao estresse térmico e para medidas de crescimento em uma população F2 (Gir x Holandês), utilizando a metodologia de varredura cromossômica por microssatélites. Nenhum QTL para contagem de carrapatos foi identificado. No cromossomo 24, foi identificado um indicativo de QTL (P<0,10) para peso ao nascimento. No cromossomo 29, identificamos QTL para taxa de sudação (P<0,01) e freqüência respiratória (P<0,05), além de um QTL sugestivo (P<0,05) dentro de uma família para peso padronizado à desmama. Os resultados obtidos poderão auxiliar no conhecimento geral dos fatores que influenciam as características avaliadas, possibilitando o desenvolvimento de estratégias de seleção mais eficientes para as condições ambientais encontradas nos sistemas de produção brasileiros

Rapid identification of capybara (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) through allele-specific PCR

The capybara is the largest rodent in the world and is widely distributed throughout Central and South America.  It is an animal of economic interest due to the pleasant flavor of its meat and higher protein content in comparison  to beef and pork meat.  The hide, hair and fat also have economic advantages. Thus,  as an animal with such high economic potential, it is the target of hunters, even though  hunting capybara is prohibited by law in Brazil.   Due to their  similarities,  capybara meat  is easily confused with  pork  meat.   This  occurs  upon  the apprehension of the  meat  from hunters, as well as in some restaurants that serve capybara meat that was slaughtered clandestinely. In both cases, when the meat is confiscated, those responsible for the crimes claim it is pork meat,  hindering  the enforcement of the law. A practical  course was ministered  to undergraduate biology students enrolled in the elective course Introduction to Genetic  Engineering  at Federal  University  of Sao Carlos (UFSCar), Sao Paulo  State, Brazil.  The  objective  of the  course was to establish  and  apply  a Polymerase  Chain  Reaction  (PCR) assay to identify capybara meat and discriminate it in relation  to other types of meat,  including pork. Primers  were designed based  on 12S rRNA,  transthyretin and  growth  hormone  receptor  genes.  The primers generated  capybara specific fragments  of approximately 220, 290 and 330 bp for transthyretin,12S rRNA  and  growth  hormone  receptor,  respectively.   The  duplexes  developed  in the  present work can be used effectively to discriminate capybara meat  from other  animals,  contributing to combating predatory capybara hunting. The results were extensively discussed and the students have contributed to written a paper  to be submitted to a publication

Genetic variability of 10 microsatellite markers in the characterization of Brazilian Nellore cattle (Bos indicus)

We assessed the polymorphism of 10 microsatellites in Brazilian Nellore cattle (Bos indicus) using a commercial multiplex system. Allele frequencies, polymorphism information content, heterozygosity and exclusion probability were calculated. Allele frequencies revealed that in the sample analyzed the markers were not equally polymorphic. The exclusion probabilities and the polymorphism information content of some loci in Nellore cattle were lower than in Bos taurus breeds. When all the microsatellites were considered the combined exclusion probability was 0.9989. This multiplex analysis can contribute toward pedigree information, adequate genetic improvements and breeding programs

Genetic differentiation of urban populations of

Males and females of Euglossa cordata collected inside flowers of Thevetia peruviana in urban areas of eleven cities of the state of São Paulo were analysed using allozymes and nine microsatellite loci. The analyses revealed that these populations have a high genetic diversity and are under genetic equilibrium, showing low population structuring and rare diploid males; consequently, high gene flow and effective population size (Ne) are inferred. These findings corroborate previous biological observations and phylogeographic evidence that report dispersion over long distances of Euglossini species in South America

Parameters and genetic trends for reproductive characteristics of a closed Angus herd

Abstract Background: Closed breeding populations are useful to conduct basic and applied research. The Wye Angus herd is one of them. It was founded using only a few animals. The pedigree of the descendants of the original herd can be completely described by historical records resulting from strong selection. Wye Angus genetics has influenced that of Aberdeen Angus, Red Angus, and Brangus cattle worldwide. Objective: To evaluate parameters and genetic trends associated with the reproduction traits of the Wye Angus herd between the years 1937 and 2012. Methods: We used pedigree information of 11,692 individuals. The reproductive traits assessed were age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), and scrotal circumference (SC). The covariance components were estimated by Bayesian inference. The genetic trends were obtained by linear regression of the genetic values over birth years of the animals. Results: The heritability estimates for AFC, and CI were negligible, although a small genetic gain was associated with CI. Because the AFC and CI values of the herd are small, past reproductive management has produced favourable results for the heifers. Conclusion: The Wye Angus herd has enough genetic variability for genetic gain through selection on SC.Resumo Antecedentes: O rebanho Wye Angus foi fundado a partir de poucos animais e destaca-se por ser um rebanho fechado, com informações completas de pedigree e forte seleção, oferecendo vantagens únicas em termos de realização de pesquisas em melhoramento genético animal. Além disso, a genética de Wye Angus tem influenciado os de Aberdeen Angus, Red Angus e Brangus em todo o mundo. Objetivo: Avaliar os parâmetros genéticos e tendências de características reprodutivas do rebanho Wye Angus no período entre 1937 e 2012. Métodos: Foram usadas informações do pedigree de 11.692 individuos. As características avaliadas foram: perímetro escrotal (SC), idade ao primeiro parto (AFC), e do intervalo entre partos (CI). Componentes de (co) variância foram obtidos por meio da metodologia Bayesiana. As tendências genéticas foram obtidas por regressão linear ponderada dos valores genéticos sobre o ano de nascimento do animal. Resultados: Hereditariedade para AFC e CI foram insignificantes, embora um pequeno ganho genético tenha sido associado a CI. No entanto, os valores para AFC e CI do rebanho são baixos, indicando que o manejo reprodutivo trouxe resultados favoráveis para as novilhas. Conclusão: O rebanho Wye Angus tem variabilidade genética suficiente para ganho genético através de seleção para SC.Resumen Antecedentes: Las poblaciones reproductivas cerradas son útiles para realizar investigacion básica y aplicada. El hato Wye Angus es uno de ellos. Fue fundado utilizando sólo unos pocos animales. El pedigrí de los descendientes del hato original puede describirse completamente mediante registros históricos resultantes de una fuerte selección. La genética del Wye Angus ha influido en la del Aberdeen Angus, Red Angus y Brangus en todo el mundo. Objetivo: Evaluar los parámetros y las tendencias genéticas de características reproductivas del rebaño Wye Angus en el periodo entre 1937 y 2012. Métodos: Utilizamos información de pedigrí de 11.692 individuos. Las características evaluadas fueron circunferencia escrotal (SC), edad al primer parto (AFC) y el intervalo entre partos (CI). Los componentes de (co)variancia fueron obtenidos mediante metodología Bayesiana. Las tendencias genéticas fueron obtenidas por regresión lineal ponderada de los valores genéticos sobre el año de nacimiento del animal. Resultados: Las estimaciones de heredabilidad para AFC y CI fueron insignificantes, aunque se asoció un pequeño beneficio genético con CI. Sin embargo, la AFC y el CI del rebaño son bajos, indicando que el manejo reproductivo ha traído resultados favorables para las novillas. Conclusion: El rebaño Wye Angus posee suficiente variabilidad genética para la ganancia genética por medio de la selección para SC