Characterisation of exon 9 of solute carrier family 11 member A1 gene in Vechur cattle

The solute carrier family 11 member A1 (SLC11A1) gene has been associated with natural resistance to intracellular pathogens such as Brucella, Salmonella, Leishmania and Mycobacterium in several species including bovine and plays a critical role in elimination of pathogens by generating hydroxyl free radicals. The objective of the present study was to investigate the polymorphism in exon 9 of SLC11A1 gene in Vechur cattle, one of the dwarf cattle of India which is known for its disease resistance. A 198 bp fragment containing exon 9 of the gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The amplicons upon single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis revealed two different banding patterns. A novel non synonymous SNP (g.46C>T) with predominance of CC genotype was also detected in Vechur cattle. These results suggest that there exists a considerable genetic variation at SLC11A1 locus and further association studies may help in development of a PCR based genotyping assay to select cattle with better immunity to intracellular pathogens

Povezanost novog polimorfizma pojedinačnog nukleotida u eksonu 2 gena za inzulinu sličan faktor rasta 1 (IGF1) s fenotipskim varijantama u koza

The Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 plays a key role in foetal development and post natal growth. The objectives of this study were to characterise the complete coding sequence of caprine IGF1 gene in two indigenous goat breeds of India: Malabari and Attappady Black, to detect polymorphisms of IGF1 gene, to investigate their effects on body size traits and to ascertain the relative expression of IGF1 mRNA in muscle tissues of goats belonging to low and high body weight groups. All the four exons of caprine IGF1 gene were amplified and characterized by PCR-SSCP in 298 goats, revealing two genotypes (CC and CT) at exon 2. Sequencing of the PCR products from each genotype revealed a novel SNP, g.80C>T (GenBank accession No. KM974180), which caused a non-synonymous mutation (Thr48Met),causing differences in IGF1 protein structure. Association analysis of the loci indicated CT genotypes have higher body length (P0.05). The results of the present study suggest that the alleles of the IGF1 gene could be considered as strong targets for improvement of growth traits in goats.Inzulinu sličan faktor rasta 1 (IGF1) ima ključnu ulogu u razvoju ploda i postnatalnom rastu. Cilj je ovog istraživanja bio okarakterizirati cijelu kodirajuću sekvenciju IGF1 gena koza u dvije autohtone pasmine iz Indije: malabari i crna atapadi. S tim u vezi željelo se utvrditi polimorfizme IGF1 gena i istražiti njihove učinke na obilježja tjelesne razvijenosti, te ustanoviti relativnu ekspresiju IGF1 mRNA u mišićnom tkivu koza s malom i velikom tjelesnom masom. Kod 298 koza umnožena su sva 4 eksona IGF1 gena i okarakterizirana uz pomoć PCR-SSCP. Na eksonu 2 utvrđena su dva genotipa (CC i CT). Analiza sekvencije PCR produkata od svakog genotipa pokazala je novi polimorfizam pojedinačnog nukleotida, g. 80C>T (GenBank No. KM974180) koja je uzrokovala neistovjetnu mutaciju (Thr48Met) i razlike u strukturi proteina IGF1. Analiza povezanosti lokusa pokazala je da CT genotipovi imaju u odnosu na CC genotipove veću dužinu tijela (P0,05) u ekspresiji IGF1 mRNA u mišićnom tkivu koza s malim i velikim tjelesnim masama. Rezultati istraživanja upućuju da bi alele IGF1 gena mogli smatrati ciljanom skupinom za unaprjeđenju obilježja rasta u koza

Comparative analysis of conventional and real time PCR for detection of haemoparasites in dogs

9-15Ehrlichiosis and babesiosis are the most pathogenic tick-borne diseases of dogs worldwide. The present study reports that the development of SYBR green based real time PCR (RT-PCR) protocols with novel primers targeting small subunit ribosomal RNA genes to detect natural infections of Ehrlichia canis, Babesia vogeli and B. gibsoni in dogs and its comparison with conventional PCR. Statistical analysis revealed that RT- PCR is more superior to conventional PCR assay to detect low level rickettsaemia (p < 0.05). The high prevalence of these pathogens in the study population also warrants immediate attention to the adoption of efficient and sustainable control strategies

Haematology profile of dogs with primary uterine inertia

Primary uterine inertia is the inherent inability of the uterus to contract and expel a fully grown foetus after the end of the gestation period, through a normal birth canal, in the absence of obstructive dystocia.There are conflicting reports regarding the blood parameters in parturient animals, and animals with dystocia and its role in uterine inertia are not well documented. Haematology analysis was performed in dogs with Complete Primary Uterine Inertia (CPUI, n=9) and Partial Primary Uterine Inertia (PPUI, n=6), as well as control animals with the Foetal Cause of Dystocia (FCD, n=7).Blood samples were collected from the study population and total leucocyte count (TLC), total erythrocyte count (TEC), differential leucocyte count (DLC), erythrocytic indices, haemoglobin and haematocrit values were estimated in an autoanalyzer. Haematology analysis revealed no significant difference between the groups. Differential leucocyte counts exhibited lymphocytosis across the groups suggestive of the active immune response related to CL lysis, a characteristic associated with the termination of the pregnancy in canines. Erythrocyte count, haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit revealed anaemia across the group. The study characterised the haematology profile of prepartum canines, which indicated anaemia associated with haemodilution and lymphocytosis associated with active immune status. It also proved that the haematology profile doesnot have any significant role in the pathogenesis of canine uterine inertia

Evaluation and comparison of native and recombinant LipL21 protein-based ELISAs for diagnosis of bovine leptospirosis

A 21-kDa leptospiral lipoprotein (LipL21) was evaluated for its diagnostic potential to detect bovine leptospirosis by ELISA. Both native LipL21 (nLipL21) and recombinant LipL21 (rLipL21) proteins were tested and compared regarding diagnostic efficiency, and no statistically significant difference was observed. The sensitivity of rLipL21 ELISA for 62 microscopic agglutination test (MAT) positive sera was 100% and the specificity with 378 MAT negative sera was 97.09%. Thus, rLipL21 protein-based ELISA could be used as an alternative to MAT for the diagnosis of bovine leptospirosis

Genetic Characteristics of Five Microsatellite Markers Associated with Milk Production Traits in Crossbred Dairy Cattle of Kerala

Marker Assisted Selection (MAS), which is the process of using the results of DNA testing to assist in the selection of individuals to become parents of the next generation by combining the genotypes and the expected progeny differences of the bulls. In the present study, all the five markers were highly informative. The highest PIC value was obtained for the microsatellite marker ILSTS096 (0.865), followed by BL41 (0.849), BM4305 (0.846), HUJII77 (0.842) and BM1508 (0.630). The highest direct count heterozygosity was observed for the microsatellite marker ILSTS096 (0.877), followed by BL41 (0.862), BM4305 (0.861), HUJII77 (0.851) and BM1508 (0.683). The highest unbiased heterozygosity of 0.880 was observed for the microsatellite marker ILSTS096, followed by BL41 (0.865), BM4305 (0.864), HUJII77 (0.854) and BM1508 (0.686). [Veterinary World 2008; 1(8.000): 245-247

Evaluation of Ten Sire Families of Crossbred Dairy Cattle of Kerala Based on Milk Production and Milk Composition Traits

Data on production performance of 200 animals maintained at University Livestock Farm, Kerala Agricultural University, Mannuthy and Cattle Breeding Farm, Thumburmuzhi were used for the study. Among the eight economically important traits [305 day milk yield, fat percentage, protein percentage, SNF(Solids not fat), total solids, peak yield, days to attain peak yield and AFC(Age at first calving)], milk fat percentage and AFC had significant difference among the families. The families of Deva, Bull No.250 and Hakkim showed significantly lower milk fat percentage compared to the other seven families. The AFC of the families of Dipesh, Onkar and Gopal was significantly higher from the other seven sire families. [Vet. World 2009; 2(1.000): 10-12

Association of a Cac8I polymorphism in the IGF1 gene with growth traits in Indian goats

The Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF1) gene is a member of somatotropic axis and plays a key role in proliferation of cells, mitosis, myogenesis, meiosis, differentiation in foetal development and post natal growth. The objectives of this study were to verify the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IGF1 gene and their association with growth traits in two indigenous native goat genetic groups of Kerala, viz., Malabari and Attappady Black. A total of 277 goats were genotyped using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) using the restriction enzyme Cac8I. One SNP, A224G was detected in the 5′ non-coding region of the IGF1 gene, and accordingly two genotypes were revealed, GG and AG. This SNP was significantly associated with growth traits in Attappady Black goats, which is maintained as meat breed in Kerala. Results from this study demonstrated higher performance of GG animals for growth traits. The association of IGF1 gene with these traits emphasizes the importance of caprine IGF1 as a candidate gene for growth traits in goat breeding