Proposal for the Nomenclature of Porcine (Sus scrofa) β-casein Alleles

The present research aims to compare all known β-casein sequences in order to propose a nomenclature that will aid future research in the field. The present research is based on field literature study, on database searches and sequence alignments. The most relevant papers describing porcine β-casein polymorphisms have been consulted. The major sequence repositories investigated were: GenBank and EBI (European Bioinformatics Institute).At the moment there are nine sequences related to porcine β-casein present in the two major databases consulted. Five of them (AF108117, AY453035, EU242520, EU025876, EU213063) are DNA sequences, three (X54974, NM_214434, GU827390) are cDNA sequences and one represents a transcript variant (HM114445)

Considerations upon Climate Change and Tsigai Genetic Sheep Resources in Romania

The tradition of sheep rearing imposes the preservation of both genuine pure traditional breeds and biodiversity.In the context of actual climate change threat, the surviving of these resources may be endangered. Taking into accountthe history and realities of Tsigai sheep rearing in Romania, ourdays, it is important to allow increasing preoccupationnot only to preserve our genuine genetic Tsigai sheep resources, but also to provide conditions for future development,even in accentuated draught conditions. Thus, in particular case of Romania, the preservation of both genuine puretraditional sheep breeds and biodiversity is an important issue to be considered for future generations, with accent toTsigai sheep breed, due to special robustness of this breed

The Average Values and Phenotypical Correlations of the Qualitative Milk Parameters in Carpathian Goat Breed, Estimated Function of Genotypes from the αS1 - casein Locus

The content of αS1 - casein in goat milk varies in wide limits from an individual to another (0 - 7.2 g/L) due to the complex genetic polymorphism of this protein. Between the 18 genetic variants (alleles) there are big differences concerning the expression level of this protein in milk (Grosclaude et. al., 1987; Mahe et. al. 1994; Caroli et. al. 2006). The aim of this paper was to report the average values and phenotypical correlations of the qualitative parameters of goat milk (the content of fat, protein, casein, lactose, unfatty dry matter) function of genotypes identified at αS1 - casein locus by the isoelectric focusing technique (IEF). The average values of the analyzed parameters are different function of genotype, the biggest values being recorded in homozygous AA genotype, and the smallest in the homozygous FF genotype. The most numerous positive correlations, intense and significant between the qualitative milk parameters are recorded in homozygous AA genotype. In conclusion, allele A from the CSN1S1 locus, which codifies αS1 - casein in goat has advantages in genetic markers assisted selection (MAS)

Study Concerning the Growth Dynamics and Speed from Lambing up to 160 Days of Age in Norwegian White x Tzurcana Hybrid Lambs and Tzurcana Lambs

The evaluation of the growth performances (body weight and growth speed) recorded by the F1 Norwegian White x Tzurcana (NWT) hybrid lambs, compared to those recorded by Tzurcana (Tu) pure breed lambs was the aim of our study. We developed the experiment, consisting in obtaining and monitoring both hybrid and pure breed lambs, in a private farm from the County of Sălaj. We carried out this study on 52 F1 hybrid lambs (NWT) and 32 Tzurcana pure breed lambs (control group) of both sexes, bred in the same conditions in experimental years, 2008 and 2009, respectively. We performed the breeding on pasture, together with dams, without concentrate supplements, up to 160 days of age, when we commercialized the young rams. We recorded the following traits: body weight at lambing, 60 days, 120 days, and 160 days of age, as well as the average daily gain during 0-60 days, 0-120 days, and 0-160 days of age, in both F1 hybrid lambs (NWT) and Tzurcana pure breed lambs (control group). Except difference concerning the lambing weight of male lambs, statistically not significant, the differences recorded between the average values of hybrids (NWT) and those of Tu lambs are statistically distinct or very significant in advantage of hybrids (the Student test) for all other analyzed traits

The Study of Body Traits of Carpatina Goat Reared in Different Climatic Regions of Romania

In Romania, goat rearing is a traditional occupation, and Carpatina is the genuine breed, which may be encountered all over the country, both in cottage or large farms. Climatic conditions may have important influence of body development in livestock, and also in goat rearing, and for this reason, in this study we aim to emphasize the developmental traits of Carpatina goats in connection with climate of their region of maintaining. We take into consideration the areas of North, North-East and East Romania, and we studied 72 individuals from 12 farms. The body traits (full length, withers height, thorax perimeter, body weight, ear and tail length), and age were analyzed, by region and in overall, but also in connection with environmental evolutions expressed by temperature and rainfall regimen. Data are processed with STATISTICA v.8.0 for Windows. The highest mean full length (125.77 cm) and withers height (74.04 cm) are reported for individuals from East Romania (Tulcea, and Constanța Counties), while body weight (55.11 kg), and thorax perimeter (85.62 cm) in goat individuals from North Romania (Suceava, Neamţ, and Botoşani Counties). The multiple correlations between the full length, and body weight, of Carpatina goats stocks studied in our trial, and climatic factors, by all three different regions we analyzed, have different intensities, which vary from very low to moderate

Testing the Influence of Climatic Conditions upon some Body Traits in Turcana Sheep from Romania

The sheep rearing occupies a traditional place in Romanian animal production. In actual context of promoting sustainable development and need to face the climatic changes, this sector must evolve in an appropriate manner. This study aims to emphasize the characteristics of Turcana breed developmental body traits (full length, withers height, thorax perimeter, body weight, ear length, and tail length), function of the rearing environment, characterized by temperature and rainfall regimen, in North, and East Romania. The climatic data were collected by a 7 years interval, from public reports. We used the program STATISTICA v.8.0 for Windows. The majority of body developmental traits of Turcana sheep (full length -135.20 cm, withers heigth - 83.03 cm, ear length – 13.12 cm, and tail length – 41.96), recorded biggest values in individuals studied in Suceava County, and smallest (full length -127.95 cm, body weigth – 55.75 kg, ear length – 9.35 cm, and tail length – 32.23) in individuals from Brăila County. The biggest body development expressed by analyzed body traits is emphasized in Tircana sheep stocks studied in North Romania, compared to East Romania, except thorax perimeter. Moderate correlations are identified between Turcana sheep full length (R = 0.480), and withers heigth (R = 0.424), environmental temperature, and precipitations in studied areal

Research Concerning the Snp Polymorphism of Stat5a Gene in Maramures Brown Breed

In this work we present the results of the research concerning the SNP polymorphism, which is the result of C?T transition in position 6853 of STAT5A gene, in Maramures Brown breed. The protein encoded by this gene is one of the 7 members of the STAT transcription factor family. Hormones, growth factors and other proteins associated with somatotropic - axis are candidate markers for quantitative traits in farm animals. The DNA analyses were performed in 25 individuals of Maramures Brown breed, by PCR-RFLP/AvaI technique (Flisikovski et al., 2003a). The nucleotide substitution C ? T at position 6853 of the STAT5A gene was identified and the genetic structure at this locus was analyzed

Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM) - A Genetically Determined Disease in Horses

Abstract In Romanian horse breeds there is little information about Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy disease and therefore the objective of this study was to do a first evaluation of two indigenous horse breeds for presence of polymorphism in the GYS1 gene, associated with the disease. In this purpose, a number of 14 biological samples were collected from two breeds: Semigreu Romanesc and Lipitan. The genomic DNA was isolated from hair samples with Quick-gDNA Mini Prep kit, according to the manufacturer’s protocol. A 229 bp fragment, targeting the polymorphic region of GYS1 gene, was amplified with a set of specific primers and the PCR products were digested with HpyCH4V restriction enzyme. The resulting fragments were separated in 3% agarose gel. Two fragments, of 151 and 78 bp, which correspond to the GG genotype, were identified, while four fragments (151, 97, 78 and 54 bp) were obtained in the case of heterozygous AG genotypes. All analysed Lipitan horses were homozygous for the G allele, while all Semigreul Romanesc horses were heterozygous, carrying the A allele which are associated with PSSM. To establish more accurate results in Romanian horse breeds, further studies, on a larger number of horses, are needed

Analysis of Genetic Diversity of Mulberry Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) Using RAPD Molecular Markers

The present study follows the genetic differences between Romanian silkworm genotypes through RAPD-PCR technique. Four local breeds and four local hybrids were be analyzed by randomly 20 decamer primers (OPERON type). Of the sum of 716 bands 496 were polymorphic. The aim of this study is to point the genetic similarity and phylogenetic relationships among the strains

Results Concerning the Fattening Performances and Carcass Traits in Young Sheep Hybrid Norwegian White x Turcana and Turcana Breed

The sheep hybrids are of high efficiency due to their carcass traits that demonstrate better commercial traits, compared to their parental breeds. In Romania, the sheep hybridizing is manly performed in order to obtain individuals with higher meat yield of their carcass. The aim of this paper is to emphasize the fattening performances, traits of the main body components, and carcass conformation in Norwegian White x Turcana young hybrids compared to Turcana young sheep. All studied individuals were fattened for 79 days within  two experimental series (2008 and 2009). The estimated statistical parameters are focused on 10 young rams fattened and slaughtered, belonging to both breed structures, considered by entire experiment (both experimental series). The average values and  differences between them reflect the superiority of the Norwegian White x Turcana young hybrids compared to Turcana youngs for all analyzed traits, except gigot length and basin depth. Significant and distinct significant differences in advantage of the hybrids were recorded for the following traits: weigth in the end of fattening (slaughtering weigth) total gain, average daily gain, warm carcass wegth, internal organs weigth, large and small carcass length, carcass width, thorax depth and crupper width. We consider that these results demonstrate the presence of the heterosis effect in hybrids