Our study aimed to explore the genetic variation in the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene and establish its association with somatic cell score (SCS) and milk production traits in four Indian camel breeds namely Bikaneri, Kachchhi, Jaisalmeri and Mewari. TLR4 gene fragment of 573 bp spanning 5' UTR, exon-1 and partial intron-1 region was amplified and genotyped using the PCR-sequence based typing method. Only one SNP located at position C472T was identified. Genotyping revealed two alleles (C and T) and three genotypes: CC, CT and TT. The genotype frequencies for CC, CT and TT were 0.116, 0.326 and 0.558 and allele frequencies for C and T alleles were 0.279 and 0.721, respectively. Association study inferred that the effect of genotype on SCS, lactation yield (LY) and peak yield (PY) was non-significant however heterozygote (CT) genotypes recorded lower SCS and higher LY and PY. It can be concluded that the TLR4 gene possesses limited genetic variation, depicting polymorphism at a single locus in Indian camel breeds with a predominance of the TT genotype. The association study indicated that heterozygote animals possess better udder health and production performance, the statistical significance of which needs to be established using a large data set.
Gene trap locus 2 (GTL2), a long non-coding paternal imprinting gene, participates in various biological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, by regulating the transcription of target mRNA, which is tightly related to the growth of the organic and maintenance of function. In this study, DNA methylation patterns of CpG islands (CGI) of GTL2 were explored, and its expression level was quantified in six tissues, rumen epithelium cells, and skeletal muscle cells in goats. GTL2 expression levels were measured by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and the methylation model was confirmed by bisulfite-sequencing PCR (BSP). CGI methylation of GTL2 indicated a moderate methylation (ranging from 81.42 to 86.83%) in the brain, heart, liver, kidney, lung, and longissimus dorsi. GTL2 is most highly expressed in brain tissues, but there is no significant difference in the other five tissues. In addition, in the rumen epithelium cell proliferation, GTL2 expression was highest at 60 h, followed by 72 h, and almost unchanged at 12-48 h. In the skeletal muscle cell differentiation, GTL2 expression was highest at 0 and 24 h, significantly decreasing at 72 and 128 h. Pearson correlation analysis did not indicate a clear relationship between methylation and GTL2 expression levels, suggesting that other regulatory factors may modulate GTL2 expression. This study will provide a better understanding of the expression regulation mechanism of genes in the delta-like homolog 1 gene (DLK1)-GTL2 domain.
This study was implemented to evaluate the effects of different zinc doses as Zinc-Met supplement (Zinpro®) on the antioxidant status, blood immune cells, antibody titers, and the expression of IL-4 and IL-6 genes of ewes in the hot season. In a completely randomized design, 24 ewes were assigned to treatments as follow: 0, 15, 30 and 45 mg/kg zinc as Zinc-Met supplementation for 40 days in region with 40 °C and vaccinated against food-and-mouth disease as an immune challenge at day 30, and then blood samples were collected on day 40. Ewes were fed a basal diet containing 29.9 mg zinc/kg. The highest activity of the antioxidant enzyme and the lowest lipid peroxidation values were found in ewes receiving 30 and 45 mg/kg zinc following a linear trend. The highest lymphocytes count and antibody titers were found in ewes received 30 mg zinc/kg. There were no significant differences among treatments for the relative expression of genes. In overall, zinc supplementation non-significantly up-regulate interleukin-4 and down-regulate interleukin-6. It was concluded that zinc supplementation as Zinc-Met could enhance the antioxidant status and immune response of ewes under heat stress; supplementation of diet with 30 mg zinc/kg (300 mg/kg Zinpro®) appeared to be the most effective dose.
The current study investigated the potentially harmful consequences of pure glyphosate or Roundup® on CYP family members and lipid metabolism in newly hatched chicks. On the sixth day, 225 fertilized eggs were randomly divided into three treatments: (1) the control group injected with deionized water, (2) the glyphosate group injected with 10 mg pure glyphosate/Kg egg mass and (3) the Roundup group injected 10 mg the active ingredient glyphosate in Roundup®/Kg egg. The results of the study revealed a reduction in hatchability in chicks treated with Roundup®. Moreover, change of Lipid concentration in serum and the liver-treated groups. Additionally, increased liver function enzymes and increased oxidative stress in the glyphosate and Roundup® groups. Furthermore, liver tissues showed histological changes and several lipid deposits in glyphosate-treated groups. Hepatic CYP1A2 and CYP1A4 expressions were significantly increased (p < .05) after glyphosate exposure, and suppression of CYP1C1 mRNA expression was significant (p < .05) after Roundup® exposure. The pro-inflammatory cytokines genes IFN-γ and IL-1β expression were significantly increased (p < .05) after Roundup® exposure. In addition, there were significant differences in the levels of expression genes which are related to lipid synthesis or catabolism in the liver. In conclusion, in ovo glyphosate exposure caused disruption of biotransformation, pro-inflammatory and lipid metabolism in chicks.
This paper reviews information about a unique and iconic breed of the Orenburg Oblast, the homeland and the only place where the best herds of Orenburg down-hair goats in Russia are concentrated. Three types of these small ruminant animals are widespread on the territory of the region: Orenburg purebred gray goats, Orenburg purebred white goats, as well as crossbred white goats of F1 White Don × White Orenburg. Currently, at the farms of the Orenburg region, animals are selected according to their phenotype, with selected traits being color, weight and length of down hair. In recent years, the Orenburg goat breed has become an object of genetic research using various marker systems including immunogenetic, microsatellite, mtDNA and SNP markers. Overall, these studies evidence about the uniqueness of the allele pool in the landmark native breed of the Orenburg goats, which is a complex dynamic genetic system, prioritizing its further in-depth genome research and breeding applications.