Mitochondrial DNA Reveal that Domestic Goat (Capra hircus) are Genetically Affected by Two Subspecies of Bezoar (Capra aegagurus)

This article describes the complete sequences of the mitochondrial DNA displacement loop (D-loop) region and cytochrome b gene from domestic goats in Laos (Laos native) and wild goat markhor (C. falconeri). The wild goat bezoar (Capra aegagrus) has been considered to be the strongest candidate for the ancestor of the domestic goats (C. hircus); however, there is not sufficient molecular data to verify the hypothesis at present. In phylogenetic analyses, two wild goats, the markhor and the ibex (C. ibex), appeared as an outgroup, while the bezoar was located in a cluster of domestic goats. Mitochondrial haplotypes of Laos natives revealed two distinct major clusters: one was the same as the bezoar, the second, unique to Laos natives. The topology and calibrated levels of sequence divergence suggests that these clusters might represent at least two different subspecies of ancestral bezoars.     

山羊磷脂氢谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶生物信息学分析

旨在克隆山羊磷脂氢谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(PHGPx)基因cDNA全序列并进行序列分析.提取山羊睾丸中总RNA,利用RT-PCR和RACE技术,扩增山羊PHGPx基因cDNA序列并对其生物信息学进行分析.结果表明,山羊PHGPx基因cDNA序列全长844 bp,共编码199个氨基酸;山羊与牛、猪、人和小鼠的氨基酸序列同源性均大于90％;山羊PHGPx蛋白二级结构功能区域属谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶家族,预测23-24和28-29氨基酸位点有潜在的信号肽位点;UPGMA算法构建该物种间分子系统进化树,山羊与牛先聚为一类,再分别与猪、鼠、人、鸡聚类,最后与蜜蜂聚类,与物种动物学分类基本吻合.首次克隆了山羊PHGPx基因,具有GSH-Px家族典型特征,研究结果将为PHGPx基因表达分子调控研究提供一定的理论依据.     

山羊发情相关输卵管糖蛋白(gEGP)基因的克隆

哺乳动物的输卵管精心设计了一个独特的液体环境 ,使得雌、雄性生殖细胞的运输及最终成熟、受精和早期胚胎发育能够顺利进行 .其中有一种源于分泌细胞的蛋白—发情相关的输卵管糖蛋白 (ｅｓｔｒｕｓ ａｓｓｏｃｉａｔｅｄｏｖｉｄｕｃｔｕａｌｇｌｙｃｏｐｒｏｔｅｉｎ ,ＥＧＰ) ,自从Ｓｕｔｔｏｎ等于 1984年首次在绵羊中发现的[1] ,在其他的物种中 ,如 ,狒狒、人、小鼠、猕猴、牛、羊、猪、仓鼠等 ,也都有发现[2 ,3 ,4] .虽然已有实验数据证明 ,当卵子经过输卵管时 ,它们可与卵子的透明带 (ｚｏｎａｐｅｌｌｕｃｉｄａ ,ＺＰ)和 或卵黄周…     

Evidence for Introgressive Hybridization of Captive Markhor (Capra falconeri) with Domestic Goat: Cautions for Reintroduction

Markhors (Capra falconeri) are among the most endangered mammal species, and several conservation measures, including ex situ breeding, are implemented to prevent their extinction. We studied sequence diversity and differentiation of the first hypervariable segment of the mitochondrial DNA control region among C. f. heptneri and C. f. megaceros kept in four zoos in relationship to lineages of other wild and domestic goats, to assess for the first time the level of molecular distinctness and variability among those subspecies, and to check for possible introgression by related Capra taxa, such as domestic goats. Levels of differentiation between some Capra falconeri lineages and modern domestic goats were similar to levels between other wild goat species (i.e., Capra aegagrus, Capra ibex) and domestic goats. Among pure markhor lineages, paraphyly was observed for C. f. heptneri, suggesting occurrence of shared ancestral polymorphism among markhor subspecies and/or ancient or recent gene exchange between subspecies. Interestingly, 35.7% of all studied markhors from three zoos are introgressed by the domestic goat. Furthermore, despite relatively small breeding group sizes, markhors have maintained a relatively high proportion of mtDNA variation within zoo groups. In any case, the existence of markhors introgressed with domestic goat DNA in zoos should be considered when selecting markhors for ex situ breeding programs with the aim of building up a stock for later reintroduction into the wild.     

Influence of cohabitation between domestic goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) and Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica) on seroprevalence of infectious diseases

We have investigated the prevalence of infection with different pathogens in domestic goat (Capra hircus) and Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica) populations from two neighbouring geographical zones (with or without cohabitation between wild and domestic species) in Spain. No ibexes were found to be seropositive for Brucella melitensis, Mycoplasma mycoides supspecies mycoides (Mycoplasma mycoides), bovine leukaemia virus, and Chlamydophila abortus or bovine herpes virus type 1 (BHV-1). Domestic goats from both zones were detected with antibodies to Chlamydophila abortus and BHV-1. The percentage seroprevalence against Coxiella burnetii, Mycoplasma agalactiae, Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) and bluetongue virus (BTV) was clearly higher in domestic goats compared to wild ibexes in both zones, although CAEV showed negative results in a zone where species were isolated from each other. Moreover, Borrelia burgdorferi and Pestivirus infection showed moderate seroprevalence differences between domestic and wild goats in cohabitation zones, with the highest prevalence found in wild ibexes from a non-cohabitation zone. Our results showed that cohabitation between species was a risk factor (P?<?0.05) in Q fever infection.     

Prevalence of ectoparasites in goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) brought for slaughter in the Gwagwalada area, Abuja, Nigeria

Ectoparasites from the bodies of 600 slaughtered goats between the ages of 1 and 50 months, collected within a period of 10 months (February to November 2005), were isolated using fractionation techniques. Collected data were analysed by χ²‐test. A total of 60 of the 600 goats examined (10.00%) were infected with ectoparasites. The prevalent ectoparasites observed were species of Rhipicephalus (28 goats; 4.67%), Boophilus (8 goats; 1.33%), Amblyomma (6 goats; 1.00%), Hyalomma (6 goats; 1.00%), Linognathus (18 goats; 3.00%) and Damalina (1 goat; 0.17%). The infection rates according to age and sex of goats were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Goats were observed to have single or multiple infections of ectoparasites. More goats (46) had a single infection than a multiple infection (14). Regarding distribution of the ectoparasites on the various sites of the animal body, it was observed that lice preferred the head, back, ears and belly, while ticks were found in the hooves and interdigital spaces as well as at the sites listed for lice.     

In vitro development of DNA-injected embryos co-cultured with goat oviduct epithelial cells in Korean native goats (Capra hircus aegagrus)

In vitro development of Korean native goat embryos was investigated in 2 different culture systems with and without goat oviduct epithelial cells (GOEC). Estrus was synchronized by inserting intravaginal progestagen-impnegnated sponge (Veramix) containing 60 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) for 14 d. Superovulation was induced with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Goat ova were surgically obtained by retrograde flushing the oviducts of does at 66 to 68 h after MAP removal. Mean number of recovered ova per doe was 7.28 +/- 3.91, and the proportion of fertilized embryos in recovered ova was 66.5% (121/182 ). Fertilized embryos were cultured for 9 d in CR1aa medium supplemented with 10% estrous goat serum (EGS) at 38.5 degrees C, 5% CO(2) in air. There was no difference in development of the embryos to the morula stage between the 2 culture systems (84.4 and 84.0%, respectively). However, developmental rate to blastocysts (65.6%) of the embryos co-cultured with GOEC was significantly higher than of those (12.0%) cultured without GOEC (P < 0.001). Goat zygotes were injected with bovine beta-casein/human lactoferrin cDNA fusion gene (pBL1). When the DNA-injected embryos were co-cultured with GOEC, developmental rates of the embryos to the morula and blastocyst stages were 82.9 and 36.6%, respectively. The results obtained in this study indicate that "blocking" of in vitro development of Korean native goat embryos appears to occur at the morula stage, but can be overcome to some extent by co-culture with GOEC. In the co-culture system, DNA-injected goat embryos could successfully develop to normal hatching blastocysts.     

Life Cycle of Eimeria christenseni Levine,Ivens & Fritz, 1962 from the Domestic Goat,Capra hircus L.1

The endogenous development of Eimeria christenseni was studied in 10 two- to four-week-old kids inoculated with 10⁶-10⁷ sporulated oocysts. They were killed at intervals from two to 26 days after inoculation, and their tissues were examined for endogenous stages of the coccidian by light microscopy. Such stages were found in the small intestine and mesenteric lymph nodes. In the sexual cycle, two generations of meronts were found. The first generation developed in endothelial cells of lacteals in the jejunun and ileum and mesenteric lymph nodes, and mature meronts were first seen 14 days after inoculation. The second generation developed in epithelial cells of the glands of Lieberkuehn in the jejunum and ileum and in mesenteric lymph nodes, and its mature meronts were first seen by 16 days. Sexual stages were present mostly in epithelial cells of the tips and sides of the villi and less frequently in crypt cells of the jejunum and ileum. Mature macrogametes and microgamonts and oocysts were also first seen by 16 days. The prepatent period was 17 (14-23) days; the patent ranged from 8 to more than 30 days. Sporulation time was 3-4 days at 30°C. E. christenseni was found to be pathogenic, kids inoculated with 1-5 × 10⁵ sporulated oocysts exhibited the following signs: severe diarrhea, anorexia, polydipsia, poor hair coat, and extreme weakness. They recovered about a month later, but their growth rates appeared to be lower than those of uninoculated animals kept under the same conditions. One kid died 20 days after inoculation with 10⁷ oocysts.     

Evidence for prostaglandin involvement in early luteal regression of the superovulated nanny goat (Capra hircus)

Feral does of various ages were treated with intravaginal progestagen sponges for 16 days to synchronize oestrus. On Day 2 before sponge removal the goats were given 1200 i.u. PMSG to induce superovulation: 6 of the goats were also injected every 12 h with flunixin meglumine, a prostaglandin (PG) synthetase inhibitor, from Day 3 to 7 of the synchronized oestrous cycle. Jugular blood samples were collected from all females into heparinized syringes at daily intervals over the 2 days before sponge removal, twice daily for the next 2 days, then at hourly intervals from 09:00 to 17:00 h for 2 days and then twice daily for a further 2 days, for measurement of plasma progesterone and the PGF metabolite 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF (PGFM) by radioimmunoassay. Intermittent surges in plasma PGFM concentrations were observed in hourly samples collected from 4/4 untreated females but in only 2/6 of the inhibitor-treated females (P less than 0.05), and the peak plasma PGFM concentrations were reduced in these 2 inhibitor-treated goats compared with the control goats. The corpora lutea (CL) of the inhibitor-treated females appeared to be functional as indicated by the plasma progesterone profile and endoscopic examination of CL. In the control females, however, there was evidence of premature regression of CL. These results suggest that the premature release of PGF-2 alpha may be the cause of premature regression of CL in nanny goats induced to superovulate.     

青山羊（Capra，hircus）小肠凝集素的分离、纯化及性质研究

报道了青山羊小肠凝集素的分离、纯化及性质研究。青山羊小肠先经过含有巯基乙醇的磷酸缓冲液抽提,然后上Ｓｅｐｈａｒｏｓｅ６Ｂ柱及ＤＥＡＥ－Ｃｅｌｌｕｌｏｓｅ－２３柱,得到纯化的青山羊小肠凝集素。采用ＳＤＳ电泳法测得其分子量在６６１００左右,而且该凝集素不含糖,对人Ｂ型血球有专一性凝集作用。半抗原抑制实验表明它对半乳糖（乳糖）有亲和性。其中酸性氨基酸含量较高,组氨酸、蛋氨酸含量较低。该凝集素在胚胎期出现,出生后几个月达到高峰然后逐渐下降,最后消失。     

Isolation and Characterization of Embryonic Stem Cell-Like Cells From in vitro Produced Goat (Capra hircus) Embryos

The aim of the present study was to isolate and characterize goat embryonic stem cell-like cells from in vitro produced goat embryos. Inner cell mass (ICM) cells were isolated either mechanically or by enzymatic digestion from 150 blastocysts and 35 hatched blastocysts whereas 100 morulae were used for blastomeres isolation mechanically. The ICM derived cells or blastomeres were cultured on a feeder layer. The primary colony formation was significantly higher (P < 0.01) for hatched blastocysts (77.14%) than early/expanded blastocysts (54%) or morula (14%). When ICMs were isolated mechanically the primary colony formation for hatched blastocysts (90%) as well as blastocysts (66%) were significantly more than when ICMs were isolated by enzymatic digestion (60% and 30%, respectively). The colonies were disaggregated either mechanically or by enzymatic digestion for further subculture. When mechanical method was followed, the colonies remained undifferentiated up to 15 passages and three ES cell-like cell lines were produced (gES-1, gES-2, and gES-3). However, enzymatic disaggregation resulted in differentiation. The undifferentiated cells showed stem cell like morphological features, normal karyotype, and expressed stem cell specific surface markers like alkaline phosphatase, TRA-1-61, TRA-1-81, and intracellular markers Oct4, Sox2, and Nanog. Following prolonged culture of the ES cell-like cells were differentiated into several types of cells including neuron like and epithelium-like cells. In conclusion, goat embryonic stem cell-like cells can be isolated from in vitro produced goat embryos and can be maintained for long periods in culture.     

Observations on a Wild goat, Capra aegagrus (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) from Oman, E. Arabia

A male Wild goat, Capra aegagrus Erxleben, 1777, is here described, which was obtained in Oman and is now in the gardens of the Zoological Society of London. It is the first known occurrence of the species in peninsular Arabia. The characters of the three species of subfam. Caprinae known to occur in the region are compared.     

Purification and characterization of milk clotting enzyme from goat (Capra hircus)

Chymosin, the major component of rennet (milk clotting enzyme), is an acid protease produced in the fourth stomach of milk-fed ruminants including goat and sheep in the form of an inactive precursor prochymosin. It is responsible for hydrolysis of kappa-casein chain in casein micelles of milk and therefore, used as milk coagulant in cheese preparation. The present investigation was undertaken to purify and characterize goat (Capra hircus) chymosin for its suitability as milk coagulant. The enzyme was extracted from abomasal tissue of kid and purified nearly 30-fold using anion exchanger and gel filtration chromatography. Goat chymosin resolved into three major active peaks, indicating possible heterogeneity when passed through DEAE-cellulose ion exchange column. The purified enzyme had a molecular mass of 36 kDa on SDS-PAGE, which was further confirmed by Western blot analysis. The purified enzyme preparation was stable up to 55 degrees C with maximum activity at 30 degrees C. The milk clotting activity was decreased steadily as pH is increased and indicated maximum activity at pH 5.5. Proteolytic activity of goat chymosin increased with incubation time at 37 degrees C. Goat chymosin was found to be more thermostable than cattle chymosin and equally stable to buffalo chymosin.     

Melanocytes Fail to Survive in Hair Bulbs of the Shiba Goat (Capra hircus) With the Dominant Black-Eyed White Phenotype

Dominant black-eyed white phenotypes are one of the most commonly observed traits in domestic animals. Their genetic control mechanisms, however, have not been elucidated. As the first step to approach the problem, we examined histologically the patterns of the distribution of pigment cells in Shiba goats (two each of day-73-postcoitum and day-112-postcoitum fetuses, and a 15-week-old kid) with the dominant black-eyed white phenotype. Melanocytes were present and fully pigmented in the choroid and the sclera of eyes, as well as in dorsal skin epidermis of the fetuses and of the kid. Melanocytes were also found in approximately 6% of the hair bulbs in the fetal dorsal skin, while the rest (94%) lacked them. Hair follicles of the kid did not harbor melanocytes except for some in the early anagen stage. The results suggest that the survival of melanocytes was inhibited specifically in the hair follicles of the Shiba goat with the dominant black-eyed white phenotype and that the ostensibly similar phenotypes in the Shiba goat and in the SI or W mutants of the mouse, where melanocytes die en route to the hair bulbs, are regulated by different mechanisms.     

New species of Eimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the domesticated goat Capra hircus in New Zealand

Three new species of the genus Eimeria Schneider, 1875 are described from the faeces of domesticated goats in New Zealand. Oöcysts of E. capralis n. sp. are ellipsoidal, 29.2 × 19.7 (25–34 × 17–24) μm, with a distinct micropylar cap. The sporocysts are broadly ovoid, the Stieda body is present and the sporocyst residuum consists of many scattered granules. Sporozoites lie lengthwise head to tail in the sporocyst. Oöcysts of E. masseyensis n. sp. are broadly ellipsoid to ovoid, 22.3 × 17.4 (18–25 × 15–19) μm, with a distinct micropylar cap. The polar granules are shattered into fine granules, the sporocysts are elongate ovoid and the Stieda body is present. Oöcysts of E. charlestoni n. sp. are ellipsoidal, 22.9 × 17.4 (20–25 × 16–19) μm, with no micropylar cap. Its oöcysts are distinctive, with elongate sporocysts containing very prominent refractile bodies.