Mitochondrial variability of Small Međimurje dog

There are six native dog breeds in Croatia recognized by the Federation Cynologique International (FCI) and one national dog breed Small Međimurje dog (MEDI) still unrecognized by the FCI. To promote breed we have analysed mitochondrial DNA control region (CR-mtDNA) sequence (551-bp) in 35 Small Međimurje dogs sampled in Međimurje County. After comparison with 33 worldwide distributed dog breeds (N=115 samples), three main canine CR-mtDNA haplogroups (A, B and C) were observed in Small Međimurje dogs. Median-joining tree showed that MEDI forms six haplotypes presented in haplogroup C (H3 is the most frequent in MEDI population), haplogroup A (haplotypes H2, H5 and H7) and in haplogroup B (haplotypes H4 and H6). The results presented in this study correspond to other mtDNA studies of native dog breeds. For the better genetic description of MEDI and for the optimal future breeding management, further analyses of nuclear genome are recommended

The Impact of Cytoplasmic Inheritance on Sperm Quality in Fleckvieh Bulls

Detrimental impact of certain mitogenome mutations on sperm quality traits, and consequently on male fertility is well documented in humans. With a quantitative genetic mixed model, we analysed the impact of cytoplasmic effects, maternal lineages treated as random effect, on sperm quality traits in 554 Austrian Fleckvieh bulls. We have observed that 2% of the phenotypic variance for transformed total number of spermatozoa is due to cytoplasmic (maternal lineage) effects. Regarding percent of viable live spermatozoa, no cytoplasmic effects were detected. However, the observed effects still need to be further evaluated from three perspectives, the analysis of the mitogenome polymorphism effects and the impact of the mitogenome effects on the realised fertility as well as on the whole production economically

The Impact of Cytoplasmic Inheritance on Sperm Quality in Fleckvieh Bulls

Detrimental impact of certain mitogenome mutations on sperm quality traits, and consequently on male fertility is well documented in humans. With a quantitative genetic mixed model, we analysed the impact of cytoplasmic effects, maternal lineages treated as random effect, on sperm quality traits in 554 Austrian Fleckvieh bulls. We have observed that 2% of the phenotypic variance for transformed total number of spermatozoa is due to cytoplasmic (maternal lineage) effects. Regarding percent of viable live spermatozoa, no cytoplasmic effects were detected. However, the observed effects still need to be further evaluated from three perspectives, the analysis of the mitogenome polymorphism effects and the impact of the mitogenome effects on the realised fertility as well as on the whole production economically

Variance Estimation of Maternal Lineage Effect on Milk Traits in Croatian Holstein Cattle

The effect of maternal lineage (ML) on milk production traits: milk, fat and protein yield (MY, FY, and PY), fat and protein content (FC and PC) was evaluated in the Croatian Holstein cattle. Data included 102,961 records for 46,696 cows calved from January 2000 to July 2015 taken from the Central database of the Croatian Agricultural Agency. Pedigree file consisted of 77,398 animals. Variance components were estimated by REML method using VCE-6 program. Statistical model included parity, region, and calving season as fixed class effects, while age at first calving was fitted as quadratic regression. Random effects were: interaction herd-year, permanent environment, maternal lineage, and direct additive genetic effect. Identification of ML was based on the pedigree information. The contribution of ML to the phenotypic variance was 2% for FC and PC and 3% for MY, FY, and PY. The estimates of ML for milk traits were within the range of other studies

DNA Sequence Variation in the Mitochondrial Control Region of Oryctolagus cuniculus from Croatia

In Croatia, wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are present in several East Adriatic islands, while their origin is not known (documented). To characterize their maternal origin, we have analysed partial mitochondrial DNA control region (CR-mtDNA) sequence (317-bp) in 36 wild rabbits sampled in three Croatian islands (11 in Dolin, 10 in Dugi otok and 15 in Trstenik). After comparison with other worldwide distributed wild and domestic rabbit sequences (208), two distinguished haplotypes (H1 and H2) were found in Croatian rabbits. H1 was equal to the reference rabbit sequence (GenBank accession number NC_001913) that is the most frequent haplotype present in wild and domestic rabbits and belongs to the lineage B. H2 haplotype, present in the one rabbit from Dugi otok, was just one mutation, transversion T→C at 15803, remote from the H1. The results presented in this study show extremely low CR-mtDNA diversity of Croatian rabbits and indicate their feral origin

Mitochondrial variability of Small Međimurje dog

There are six native dog breeds in Croatia recognized by the Federation Cynologique International (FCI) and one national dog breed Small Međimurje dog (MEDI) still unrecognized by the FCI. To promote breed we have analysed mitochondrial DNA control region (CR-mtDNA) sequence (551-bp) in 35 Small Međimurje dogs sampled in Međimurje County. After comparison with 33 worldwide distributed dog breeds (N=115 samples), three main canine CR-mtDNA haplogroups (A, B and C) were observed in Small Međimurje dogs. Median-joining tree showed that MEDI forms six haplotypes presented in haplogroup C (H3 is the most frequent in MEDI population), haplogroup A (haplotypes H2, H5 and H7) and in haplogroup B (haplotypes H4 and H6). The results presented in this study correspond to other mtDNA studies of native dog breeds. For the better genetic description of MEDI and for the optimal future breeding management, further analyses of nuclear genome are recommended

The effect of DNA quality on the sequencing success of cattle

The extraction of amplifiable DNA is a crucial step for genetic analysis of farm animals. The aim of present study was to determine the quality and the quantity of DNA extracted from blood, milk, hair and tissue in cattle. It has been shown that milk and hair samples can be used as a reliable source for obtaining good quality and quantity of DNA ready for the next generation sequencing (NGS). Commercially available kit, with several modifications, was included in the evaluation. Raw milk or milk somatic cell pellet storage under -80 °C or -20 °C has shown to be a reliable procedure for preservation when large number of milk samples were collected at once. The quality (purity) and the quantity of extracted DNA were measured using a nanophotometer. The adequacy of the DNA extract was assessed by estimating average read depth of all captured bases of whole NGS mitogenome sequences. Although DNA extracted from different types of samples was suitable for NGS analysis, hair samples showed the largest variation of DNA quantity, low purity and DNA integrity. Non-invasive sampling methods such as milk and hair collection can be used for dairy cattle while sampling from free-range requires handling, capturing and caution. Milk and hair can be used for obtaining optimal DNA concentrations for NGS analysis

DNA Sequence Variation in the Mitochondrial Control Region of Oryctolagus cuniculus from Croatia

In Croatia, wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are present in several East Adriatic islands, while their origin is not known (documented). To characterize their maternal origin, we have analysed partial mitochondrial DNA control region (CR-mtDNA) sequence (317-bp) in 36 wild rabbits sampled in three Croatian islands (11 in Dolin, 10 in Dugi otok and 15 in Trstenik). After comparison with other worldwide distributed wild and domestic rabbit sequences (208), two distinguished haplotypes (H1 and H2) were found in Croatian rabbits. H1 was equal to the reference rabbit sequence (GenBank accession number NC_001913) that is the most frequent haplotype present in wild and domestic rabbits and belongs to the lineage B. H2 haplotype, present in the one rabbit from Dugi otok, was just one mutation, transversion T→C at 15803, remote from the H1. The results presented in this study show extremely low CR-mtDNA diversity of Croatian rabbits and indicate their feral origin

Mechanics of microelectrics examined by design of experiments techniques

We live in a world full of variations. We need to understand its sources and we need a scientific method for predicting it, for reducing it and for controlling it. Statistical thinking is the only way to deal with variations. Continuous improvement means continuously solving the variation problem. But this relies on a successful marriage of theory and practice; experience is insufficient without theory. The theory needs to be taught. There is no substitute for knowledge (Logothetis, 1991).