Naminių vištinių paukščių baltyminių sistemų įvairovė ir jos ryšys su paukščių produktyvumu

Disertacija rengta 2002-2006 metais Vytauto Didžiojo universiteteAut. darbų sąr.: p. 28-30 (12 pavad.)Vytauto Didžiojo universiteta

The use of biochemical markers for the determination of paternity in Japanese quails coturnix Japonica

The use of genetic markers of wild birds gives a controversial data about monogamy in birds: even in swans pairs (the symbol of faithfulness) the intraspecific brood parasitism and extra-pair mating was detected by genotyping of chicks and parents [1]. Still discussed question – the extra-pair mating is the way to increase the genetic variability in the offspring, or this is only the expression of males ‘good genes’ that increases the attractiveness of males to females. The most straight forward test of the good genes hypothesis is to compare the paternity rate of males within their own broods and look for correlations with a male trait that might indicate genetic quality [2]. [...]Biologijos katedraVytauto Didžiojo universiteta

Lietuvos šunų veisėjų žinios, veisimo tikslai ir metodikos

Apklausos anketos yra naudingas metodas įvertinant šunų veisėjų žinias, naudojamas veisimo strategijas ir šunų veislių sveikatingumą bei grynumą. Žinant dabartinę būklę galima koreguoti veisimo strategijas, jas labiau pritaikyti konkrečiai situacijai. Šio darbo tikslas – įvertinti šunų veisimo tikslus Lietuvoje, veisėjų taikomas skirtingas selekcijos ir reprodukcijos metodikas, gyvūnų atrankos veisimui kriterijus. Tam tikslui domėtasi veisėjų išsilavinimu, veislininkystėje naudojamais informacijos šaltiniais, veisimo motyvacija, tikslais ir strategijomis, taip pat nuomone apie modernių genetinių tyrimų svarbą šiuolaikinėje veislininkystėje. Tyrimo metodas – anoniminė anketinė apklausa internetu. Apibendrinus duomenis nustatyta, kad veisėjams trūksta viešai prieinamos informacijos šunų veisimo klausimais. Dauguma Lietuvos veisėjų (83,7 %) siekia pagerinti veislės eksterjerą, charakterio savybes bei šuniukų sveikatą, todėl dažniau pasirenkama linijinio veisimo strategija negu giminingas kryžminimas (30,2 % ir 11,6 % atitinkamai). Dauguma veisėjų pripažįsta genetinių tyrimų svarbą šunų veislininkystėjeQuestionnaires are a useful method to determine breeder’s selection strategies, knowledge, and dog breeds welfare, as well as to define the current situation. Evaluation of the situation can lead to changes in breeding policies. The aim of our work was to study the differences that could exist among dog breeders concerning their opinions and practices when dealing with breeding goals, selection tools, livestock management and reproduction methods. To achieve that, we sought to determine a breeder’s knowledge and their sources of information, breeding tendencies, breeders’ view on genetic testing methods and their motivation for breeding goals. This investigation was based on anonymous questionnaire analysis. After summarizing data, it emerged that, in general, there is a lack of information about breeding in public information sources. Majority of the Lithuanian breeders (83.7%) indicated that their breeding goal was to improve breed exterior, character and health. To achieve these goals, breeders more often choose a line-breeding strategy than the close breeding one (30.2% and 11.6%, respectively). Majority of the respondents recognized the importance of genetic testing in dog breedingBiologijos katedraVytauto Didžiojo universiteta

Wild boar (Sus scrofa) as study object

The wild boar (Sus scrofa) is one of the most widely distributed mammals in the world. Its range extends from Western Europe and the Mediterranean Basin to Eastern Russia and Japan, throughout Southeast Asia [1]. Due to proper management, control of the number of wolves and climatic warming over the last 50 years, the population of Wild Boar in Lithuania has increased six times [2]. The increasing population size might lead to competition with other wildlife, disease, vegetative damage as well as a conflict between human activities and Wild Boar populations. Some cultivated plants are presently the main food items in Wild Boar diet [3-5].[...]Biologijos katedraVytauto Didžiojo universiteta

Spider community in Braziukai pine bog, Lithuania

Spiders were studied in Braziukai pine bog in Central Lithuania. Material was collected in pitfall traps from March of 2011 year to January of 2012. The species richness, evenness and different biodiversity indices of spider assemblages were studied. In total, 279 individuals from 34 spider species from 9 families were collected. Lycosidae family members were most abundant (23 species detected), conversely Gnaphosidae family, with only one species detected, were very rare. Pirata uliginosus was the most common species in the pine bog of Braziukai. Species richness indices (Menhinick (2.04), Margalef (5.86)) were quite high and biodiversity indices (Shannon–Wiener (2.51), Simpson (0.87)) were quite low comparing to other researches’ results from Lithuanian bogs. According to our data spider community in Braziukai pine bog has some unique species composition comparing to other Lithuanian pine bogsBiologijos katedraVytauto Didžiojo universiteta

Biofilm of human pathogens formation on Chitin

Biofilms are known as bacteria formed colonies which can attach on the various surfaces and play a major role in the contamination of medicine instruments and food products. Bacteria form a biofilm in response to many factors, but the most important is the resistance to various classes of antibiotics (e.g. Salmonella spp., Acinetobacter baumannii). This can lead to serious health problems in humans. For example, A. baumannii bacterium causes serious infections including bacteremia, pneumonia, meningitis, urinary tract infection and wound infection in patients with low immune system. Shigella sonnei is a primary bacterium which causes a global human health complication – shigellosis, which is a big problem concerning underdeveloped countries, because it can be spread through feco-oral transmission. Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacterium is naturally found in marine waters and commonly causes severe gastroenteritis. Usually, Escherichia coli bacterium is not harmful to humans, but there are some strains, e.g. E. coli O157:H7 which releases toxins and causes diarrhea, abdominal pain or even kidney damage. For these reasons, it is important to find and produce bio-based antimicrobial coating materials, which might be able to inhibit bacterial biofilm formation. Chitin is one of the most versatile polysaccharide in the world due to its large set of applications in various fields and properties such as non-toxicity, biodegradability, biocompatibility and antibacterial activity. This study demonstrates that chitin has advantages to decrease the possibility of contamination and can be used as surfaces and coating materials in medicine and food industriesBiologijos katedraGamtos mokslų fakultetasVytauto Didžiojo universiteta

Lithuanian wild boar (Sus scrofa) genetic variability evaluated using RAPD analysis

Due to proper management, control of the number of wolves and climatic warming over the last 50 years, the population of wild boar in Lithuania has increased six times. There were no wild boar populational genetics studies done in Lithuania. Where is need to evaluate genetic variability of whole Lithuania wild boar population and populations in different Lithuania regions separately. To estimate genetic variation of wild boar in Lithuania RAPD analysis were made. Eight primers (ROTH–180-01, ROTH–180–03, ROTH–180–05, ROTH–180–06, ROTH–180–07, ROTH–180–08, ROTH–180–09, and ROTH–180–10) were used for polymorphic fragment amplification. One primer was monomorphic among all populations and three primers were polymorphic and were used for genetic variability analysis, other primers were not informative for genetic variation studies. Material for RAPD analysis was heart homogenate. Total 169 samples were examined from different Lithuania regions and Belarus. Lithuanian wild boar population was divided into 5 regions: northwest (Mazeikiai), center (Marijampole, Kazlu Ruda, Kedainiai), northeast (Rokiskis), south (Alytus, Lazdijai, Varena), east (Vilnius, Salcininkai, Trakai). Belarus sample were gathered from Voronov region, boarding east side of Lithuania. Parameters of genetic variability were evaluated (number of polymorphic loci, heterozygosity and genetic differentiation). There were no big genetic differences detected among all 5 Lithuania regions investigated. But location specific alleles were detected in all these regions. Most distinct populations were found in Central Lithuania and Varena region. Genetic distances were estimated using Nei’s (1972) genetic distance calculations. Clusterings of wild boars in each population were made using UPGMA analyses and observed in the dendrogramBiologijos katedraVytauto Didžiojo universiteta

Extraction and characterization of chitin from Gonepteryx rhamni (Lepidoptera)

Because of its nontoxicity, biodegradability, biocompatibility also antitumor, antioxidant, antimicrobial properties chitin is unique natural polymer. It has broad application in biotechnology, medicine, food technologies and other fields. In this study chitin was isolated from male and female of Gonepteryx rhamni (Lepidoptera). Physicochemical properties of chitin were evaluated by SEM, TGA, XRD and elemental analysis. Chitin content of male (10.5%) was recorded slightly higher than female. Degree of acetylation (DA) of female chitin was observed closer to 100% than male chitin, so it can be concluded that purity of female chitin was determined higher than male chitin. Thermal stability of female chitin was observed slightly higher than male chitin. SEM showed that both male and female chitin isolates have chitin nanofiber on the surface. Crystallinities of the chitin isolates from male and female were measured very close to each other. During this study, chitin extraction from male and female of G. rhamni was carried out for the first time. Determined properties of chitin samples could be used for further applicationsBiologijos katedraVytauto Didžiojo universiteta

Comparison of chitin surface structure in order Blattodea

Chitin is widely used in various areas and it is regarded as one of the most important polysaccharide after cellulose. It has advantages such as thermal stability, biodegradability, non-toxicity and biocompatibility, which makes this biopolymer very attractive research object for biomedical, pharmaceutical, environmental, agriculture and food industries. Also, chitin is present in nature: in the cell walls of fungi and yeast, exoskeleton of Arthropods, Hydrozoa, Bryozoa, Porifera and some Anthozoan species. Within the exoskeleton, the various concentrations of water and chitin determines and defines the mechanical properties of the insects and crustaceans’ exoskeleton. Moreover, the organization of chitin fibers and pores also contributes surface and physical properties of the exoskeleton. The tropical genus of Blaberus - Blaberus giganteus is known as one of the largest cockroaches. In the present study, we preferred this organism because of the following reasons: very high survival level, easy culturing, big size, not fastidious diet, transparent wings and dorsal pronotum. A chemical method was followed for the chitin isolation from the cockroach wings and dorsal pronotum, which includes four main steps: demineralization, deproteinization, depigmentation and oil removal. This study reports production of natural chitin from the wing and the dorsal pronotum of cockroach. The physical properties of chitin were identifiedBiologijos katedraGamtos mokslų fakultetasVytauto Didžiojo universiteta

Genetic differentiation of dabbling ducks (Anseriformes: Anas) populations from Palaearctic in time and space

The genetic variation among populations of dabbling ducks (563 samples of A. acuta, A. clypeata, A. crecca, A. querquedula, A. falcata, A. penelope, A. platyrhynchos) in the Palaearctic region (Lithuania, Chukotka, Kamchatka, Lena, Ob and Kara rivers) was investigated between 1980 and 1998. Fifteen loci of blood serum proteins were surveyed for genetic variation using polyacrylamid gel electrophoresis, and eight polymorphic loci were found. The analysis of genetic variation at population and species levels shows that allele frequencies are temporarily variable. The general genetic diversity of dabbling ducks differed among geographically different populations: for Northern Pintail between Ho = 0.264 from Ob river and Ho = 0.331 from Kamchatka; for Eurasian Wigeon between Ho=0.185 from Ob and Ho = 0.263 from Lena river. In Mallard populations mean heterozygosity ranged from Ho = 0.242 (Vente 1998, Lithuania) to Ho = 0.366 (Antanavas 1987, Lithuania). The data obtained from genetic distances revealed that Mallards of Lithuania form no discrete populations and vary temporarily and spatiallyBiologijos katedraVytauto Didžiojo universiteta