四引物扩增受阻突变体系PCR快速测定绵羊 BMPR-IB基因型方法的建立

四引物ARMS PCR是检测SNP有效、快速、简便的方法.绵羊BMPR-lB基因是控制Booroola绵羊多胎性状的主效基因,此研究目的在于建立一种对BMPR-IB基因四引物ARMS PCR检测方法.根据四引物ARMS PCR技术原理,在绵羊BMPR-IB基因突变位点(A746G)设计一对特异性引物,并在突变点两侧设计一对参照引物,用来扩增含有突变点的DNA片段,可在一步PCR反应中根据电泳图谱准确判断绵羊个体的BMPR-IB基因型,对比PCR-RFLP检测结果表明,所建立的方法简单,操作简便,大大提高了检测效率.     

检测绵羊BMPR-IB基因多态性寡核苷酸芯片的制备

FecB基因是控制中国美利奴羊排卵率和产羔数的主效基因,由于A746G的点突变而导致绵羊表型的变化。本研究的目的在于根据FecB基因的多态性,制备寡核苷酸芯片检测绵羊FecB基因的单核苷酸多态性（SNP）,设计六条特异性的探针,用基因芯片点样仪将探针点样到醛基修饰的载玻片上,采集绵羊的血液样本,在芯片反应舱中,检测FecB基因A746G点突变,设计对应的软件进行判读,分析检测结果,与PCR-RFLP检测结果完全符合,证明制备的寡核苷酸芯片可以并行、准确而高效地检测FecB基因的多态性,能够作为分子标记辅助选育多胎绵羊的一种合适的检测技术。     

BMPR-IB基因对绵羊产羔数影响的回顾和Meta分析

为了验证澳大利亚美利奴绵羊的候选基因研究中骨形态发生蛋白受体IB型(BMPR-IB)基因与产羔数增加是否有关,及随后在不同的绵羊品种中进行的研究显示了不同的结果,特别是在亚洲地区的绵羊品种中更是如此的现象。因此,有必要对不同绵羊品种的各种研究进行Meta分析,合并加权均数差(WMD)和置信区间(CI)以评估这些关联的强度。试验共包括18项研究,其中10 895个样本用于BMPR-IB基因多态性。结果表明,观察到BMPR-IB基因与绵羊胎产羔数之间存在显著的相关性(BB vs.++:WMD=0.88, 95%CI=0.73～1.04,p0.01; B+vs.++:WMD=0.53, 95%CI=0.45～0.64,p=0.01),并且BMPR-IB基因的作用对于绵羊的产羔量是加性的(每个等位基因的一个拷贝增加约0.5个羔羊)。说明这种涉及非常大样本量的Meta分析意味着BMPR-IB基因与绵羊胎产仔数之间的显著关联,应进一步研究以确定这些不一致结果中常见因果变体的潜在机制。     

两种玻璃化胚胎冷冻方法对不同品系小鼠胚胎冷冻效果比较

目的探讨EFS和DAP两种玻璃化冷冻方法对不同品系小鼠胚胎冷冻的效果。方法6个品系小鼠（KM、ICR、BALB／c、C57BL／6J、OB／OB、LAP／~TAOF59）的2-cell胚胎分别用EFS和DAP两种玻璃化冷冻方法进行冷冻和复苏,比较两种冷冻方法的胚胎复苏率和着床率。结果6个品系小鼠冷冻胚胎EFS方法的平均复苏率为69．97％（47．9％～83．6％）,DAP方法的平均复苏率47．23％（26．3％-76．7％）,EFS方法明显优于DAP方法。其中KM、ICR和BALB／c小鼠EFS方法的冷冻复苏率显著高于DAP方法（P〈0．01）;冻融胚胎移植后EFS方法的平均着床率27．23％（1．75％一45．0％）,DAP方法的平均着床率31．43％（7．0％一46．3％）。除KM、ICR小鼠外,其他4个品系小鼠的着床率DAP方法高于EFS方法。结论KM和ICR远交群小鼠胚胎适合用EFS方法冷冻保存;C57BL／6J、OB／OB、LAP／aTAOF59三个品系小鼠DAP方法优于EFS方法,但差异不大;BALB／c小鼠两种玻璃化冷冻方法的冻融胚胎着床率均较低,需进一步研究。     

小尾寒羊高繁殖力候选基因ESR的研究

利用PCR—SSCP技术对高繁殖力绵羊品种（小尾寒羊、湖羊、德国肉用美利奴羊）和低繁殖力绵羊品种（多赛特羊、萨福克羊）的雌激素受体（estrogen receptor,ESR）基因第一外显子部分序列进行单核苷酸多态性研究。结果表明：小尾寒羊、湖羊和德国肉用美利奴羊中存在3种基因型（AA、BB、AB）,而在多赛特羊和萨福克羊中只存在两种基因型（AA、AB）。统计结果表明：湖羊、德国肉用美利奴羊、小尾寒羊、萨福克羊和多赛特羊A等位基因频率分别为0．672、0．786、0．846、0．857和0．867,B等位基因频率分别为0．328、0．214、0．154、0．143和0．133。测序结果表明：BB型和AA型相比在外显子1第363位发生1处碱基突变（C→G）。独立性检验表明：小尾寒羊和湖羊之间基因型分布差异极显著（P〈0．01）,湖羊和多赛特羊之间基因型分布差异显著（P〈0．05）,其他各个绵羊品种之间基因型分布差异均不显著。A8基因型和BB基因型小尾寒羊产羔数比AA基因型分别多0．51只（P〈0．05）和0．7只（P〈0．05）。研究结果表明：ESR基因可能是控制小尾寒羊多胎性能的一个主效基因或与之存在紧密的遗传连锁。     

FecB基因在9个绵羊品种中的多态性及其与产羔数和羔羊生长发育的相关性

以绵羊BMPR-IB基因为候选基因,应用PCR-RFLP方法通过分析湖羊、夏洛来、陶赛特、萨福克、罗米丽、中国美利奴羊、中国美利奴肉用多胎品系以及陶赛特×中国美利奴羊和萨福克×中国美利奴羊杂交后代共615只个体的FecB基因多态性,以及BMPR-IB基因多态性对产羔数、体尺和体重的影响.结果表明,BMPR-IB基因在不同品种(系)绵羊中共有3种基因型(BB、B+和++),但基因型频率分布在各品种(系)间差异极显著(P<0.01).在湖羊中仅有BB基因型;在中国美利奴肉用多胎品系中BB、B+和++基因型频率分别为51%、30%和19%;而其他品种(系)羊中则仅有++基因型.对中国美利奴羊肉用多胎品系研究,发现BB和B+基因型群体平均产羔数分别为2.8和2.3,显著高于++基因型群体(1.2,P<0.01).在90日龄时,BB和B+基因型群体的体重分别为18.6±3.70 kg和18.0±3.31 kg,显著高于++基因型群体(15.6±2.22kg,P<0.05);此外,90日龄时,BB和B+基因型群体比++基因型群体胸围、胸宽较大(P<0.05);但这些差异在120日龄时消失.另外,我们还发现不同地区群体的第一胎产羔数存在明显差别.这些结果表明,BMPR-IB基因为影响绵羊产羔数的主效基因,并首次证明该基因对后代羔羊出生后生长发育具有加性效应.     

siRNA干扰绵羊胚胎成纤维细胞Lig4基因增加同源重组载体重连修复效率

在动物细胞中,抑制非同源末端连接(Non-homologous end joining, NHEJ)修复途径,可以提高同源重组(Homologous recombination, HR)修复基因组双链断裂(Double-strand brakes, DSBs)的发生概率。为了提高绵羊胚胎成纤维细胞的HR效率,针对NHEJ修复途径中的关键因子Lig4(DNA ligase 4)基因,本文设计合成4个具有靶向性的siRNA(Small interfering RNA)。绵羊胚胎成纤维细胞经电转染导入siRNA,通过实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)和Western blotting检测,筛选出有效抑制Lig4基因表达的2个siRNA。应用质粒重连法检测HR修复效率,将I-SceⅠ酶线性化的HR质粒和siRNA共转染绵羊胚胎成纤维细胞,经72 h培养及流式细胞仪检测,与对照组细胞比较,结果表明HR质粒重连效率提高了3~4倍。瞬间干扰Lig4基因的表达可提高HR质粒重连效率,为改善绵羊胚胎成纤维细胞基因打靶效率提供理论基础。     

胚胎冷冻技术应用于抗菌肽转基因小鼠的保种传代

目的研究胚胎冷冻在抗菌肽转基因FVB小鼠保种传代中的应用。方法对6~8周正常雌性FVB小鼠进行超排分别与雄性杂合子抗菌肽转基因FVB小鼠交配,收集2-cell胚胎,进行胚胎冷冻。1周后进行胚胎复苏移植,通过PCR方法对仔代鉴定。结果冻存胚胎140枚,复苏获得存活胚胎98枚,移植85枚,产仔38只,获得阳性后代12只。结论通过胚胎冷冻技术保种及复苏移植技术可对抗菌肽转基因小鼠进行传代。     

应用乙二醇冷冻小鼠胚胎：优化和简化程序的探索

提高解冻胚胎的发育能力和简化冷冻解冻程序是胚胎冷冻研究的两大永恒的主题。尽管乙二醇（EG）广泛用于家畜胚胎冷冻,但很少用于冷冻小鼠和人胚胎。为数很少的以EG慢冻小鼠或人胚胎的研究均采用较为复杂的人胚冷冻程序,未见简化程序和用EG冷冻小鼠桑椹胚的报道。采用简单的牛胚胎冷冻程序研究了发育时期、EG浓度、平衡方法、添加蔗糖以及解冻后脱除EG等对小鼠胚胎冻后发育能力的影响。结果显示：（1）致密晚期桑椹胚冻后体外培养囊胚发育率（81.92%±2.24%）和孵出率（68.56％±2.43%）显著（P＜0.05)高于4-细胞、8-细胞胚胎和致密早期桑椹胚胎;（2）1.8mol/L EG冷冻小鼠致密晚期桑椹胚的囊胚发育和孵出率显著高于其它浓度;（3）在EG中平衡10min的冻后囊胚发育显著好于平衡5、20或30min;（4）两步平衡冷冻胚胎的囊胚发育率和孵出率显著高于一步平衡;（5）用EG冷冻小鼠胚胎无需添加蔗糖;（6）解冻后可不脱除EG;（7）冻后发育的早期囊胚和囊胚细胞数明显少于体内发育胚胎。因此,用EG冷冻小鼠胚胎的最佳方案为：致密晚期桑椹胚用1.8mol/L EG不添加蔗糖、两步平衡15min、以简单的牛胚胎冷冻程序冷冻解冻、解冻后不脱除EG直接培养或移植。     

绵羊类胚胎干细胞长期培养中增殖、凋亡、多能性相关基因的表达动力学

已报道的家畜类胚胎干细胞(embryonic stem-like cell, ESC-like)均无法实现长期培养,这制约了家畜ESC的研究．通过检测本实验室建系的绵羊类胚胎干细胞oESC-like,探究导致oESC-like无法持续培养的原因,为以后的研究打下基础. 实验观察了oESC-like形态变化,检测了AKP的表达,使用免疫荧光技术检测了PCNA、Bcl-2、Bax、Sox-2、Oct-4蛋白的表达,并用软件Image-Pro Plus 60计算蛋白表达水平．结果显示,oESC-like在长期培养过程中其形态具备ESC的典型形态特征;AKP持续表达;Sox-2和Oct-4的表达有不同程度的提高,增殖能力无明显变化;Bax表达水平逐代提高,Bcl-2的表达水平在5、10代显著高于Bax的表达水平可抑制Bax的活化,而从15代开始Bcl-2表达水平下降,低于Bax的表达水平,不能有效地抑制Bax的活化;Bcl-2/Bax表达水平的比值逐代下降,说明oESC-like在长期培养过程中逐渐走向凋亡.为解决绵羊类胚胎干细胞能够体外长期培养的科学问题,针对本实验室已有研究成果和存在的问题,进行逆向思维找出突破口,为遗传育种、基因工程、医疗等方面在实践上提供理论基础.     

影响杜泊羊冷冻胚胎移植成功率的因素

采用引进的杜泊羊冷冻胚胎,以云南当地绵羊为受体进行胚胎移植。同期发情处理了158只受体羊,同期发情率为82．91％;对102只进行了胚胎移植,实际移植率为77．86％,3个情期内移植妊娠率达74．5％;出生68只,产羔率达66．7％。分析表明,胚胎发育阶段及级别、卵巢黄体情况、以及胚胎移植技术熟练程度直接影响胚胎移植成功率;此外,受体羊的处理程序及移植后的饲养管理、移植时机的把握、移植季节以及胚胎冷冻及解冻方法也会影响杜泊羊移植妊娠率,进而影响产羔率。     

BMPR-IB和BMP15基因作为小尾寒羊多胎性能候选基因的研究

以控制BooroolaMerino羊多胎性能的BMPR IB基因 ,以及影响Invedale和Hanna羊排卵数的BMP15基因作为候选基因 ,从分子水平上对小尾寒羊的多胎机制进行研究 ,分析突变位点的特性 ,并通过大规模的群体检测统计推断其遗传效应。实验结果表明 :多胎品种小尾寒羊在BMPR IB基因的相应位置上发生了与BooroolaMerino羊相同的突变 (A74 6G) ,该基因的BB基因型在小尾寒羊群体内为优势基因型 ,且小尾寒羊初产和经产母羊的BB基因型比 ++基因型分别多产 0 97羔 (P <0 0 5 )和 1 5羔 (P <0 0 1) ,推测BMPR IB基因与控制小尾寒羊多胎性能的主效基因存在紧密的遗传连锁。而BMP15基因在小尾寒羊中不存在V31D或Q2 3Ter突变 ,说明小尾寒羊的多胎遗传机制与Romney羊不同 ,因此排除了BMP15突变影响小尾寒羊排卵数的可能性。     

受体品种、体重及移植季节对杜泊羊胚胎妊娠率和新生羔羊体重的影响

胚胎移植可以提高家畜良种扩大的速度,但移植成功率会受到很多因素的影响。用6.5～7.5日龄杜泊羊冷冻胚胎作为移植胚胎,研究了季节和受体状况对杜泊羊胚胎移植妊娠率以及出生羔羊生长发育的影响。在比较春秋两季236枚冷冻胚胎的移植效果发现秋季移植的妊娠率(68.6%)显著高于春季(58.5%);春季和秋季移植后出生羔羊的体重,初生时无显著差异;但在30日和60日(断乳)时,春季移植的羔羊显著高于秋季。比较不同品种的受体发现,昭通绵羊受体的胚胎移植妊娠率最高,湖羊次之,小尾寒羊最低,但受体羊3种品种间无显著差异;较大受体羊(≥40kg)生产的羔羊出生和30d的体重显著高于较小受体(<40kg);但60d羔羊体重差异不显著,说明受体体重会影响羔羊的出生体重,但是对哺乳期的生长发育影响不大。春季移植出生的羔羊,其早期生长发育情况明显优于秋季。     

Expression of Apoptotic and Antioxidant Enzyme Genes in Sheep Oocytes and In Vitro Produced Embryos

The present study was to find out the expression pattern and relative expression level of apoptotic (Bcl2, Bax, Casp3, and PCNA) and antioxidant enzyme [(GPx, Cu/Zn-SOD (SOD1) and Mn-SOD (SOD2)] genes in sheep oocytes and developing embryos produced in vitro by conventional RT-PCR and real time qPCR, respectively. Different developmental stages of embryos were produced in vitro from oocytes collected from local slaughter house ovaries. RT-PCR amplicons showed expression of Bcl2 and PCNA in all stages except at morula. In contrast Bax and Casp3 were expressed in all stages. GPx and SOD1 were expressed in all stages but SOD2 was not expressed in 8–16 cells, although expressed in the remaining stages. The qPCR analysis reflected that Bcl2 expression was significantly (P < 0.05) downregulated in morula and maximum upregulated expression was observed in in vitro matured oocytes. Higher upregulated expression (P < 0.05) of Bax was in morula and downregulated expression was at 2-4 cells. Casp3 was significantly upregulated at 8–16 cells and downregulated in in vitro matured oocyte. PCNA expression was highest at blastocyst and least expression was at morula. GPx was expressed significantly highest in matured oocytes and least expression was at zygote. SOD1 was expressed significantly highest at 8–16 cells and least expression was at zygote. Expression of SOD2 was least among all the antioxidant enzymes but significantly higher expression of SOD2 was in immature oocyte; however, least expression was at 8–16 cells. It can be concluded from the study that the sheep embryos produced in vitro are highly sensitive to culture condition, which alters the expression level of apoptotic and antioxidant enzyme genes.     

高原型藏羊和小尾寒羊睾丸小叶及附睾微动脉的解剖学特征

分别从青海和甘肃采集高原型藏羊(Ovis aries)和小尾寒羊睾丸各20枚,用血管铸型技术和扫描电镜方法,研究两品种绵羊睾丸小叶及附睾微动脉的超微形态特征。结果显示,两品种绵羊的睾丸小叶及附睾微动脉走形呈一定程度的弯曲,其中睾丸小叶内离心动脉、离心小动脉及向心小动脉均呈"树枝"状分布。研究发现,与低海拔地区的小尾寒羊相比,高原型藏羊睾丸的绳结状动脉具有更密集的螺旋状排布,小动脉分支也较多,并且向心动脉、绳结状动脉、离心动脉、附睾头微动脉的管径也较粗。此外,高原型藏羊睾丸小叶和附睾头微动脉表面的"梭形"压痕较浅,而小尾寒羊的则较深;高原型藏羊睾丸小叶毛细血管前微动脉的表面缢痕较多且密集,而小尾寒羊的则相对少而稀疏。研究认为,高原型藏羊睾丸小叶及附睾微动脉的超微形态特征,有利于血管的收缩、睾丸供血及高原环境下精子的成熟,是睾丸对高原环境的适应性特征。     

Genotype and Phenotype of Echinococcus granulosus Derived from Wild Sheep (Ovis orientalis) in Iran

The aim of the present study is to determine the characteristics of genotype and phenotype of Echinococcus granulosus derived from wild sheep and to compare them with the strains of E. granulosus sensu stricto (sheep-dog) and E. granulosus camel strain (camel-dog) in Iran. In Khojir National Park, near Tehran, Iran, a fertile hydatid cyst was recently found in the liver of a dead wild sheep (Ovis orientalis). The number of protoscolices (n=6,000) proved enough for an experimental infection in a dog. The characteristics of large and small hooks of metacestode were statistically determined as the sensu stricto strain but not the camel strain (P=0.5). To determine E. granulosus genotype, 20 adult worms of this type were collected from the infected dog. The second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and cytochrome c oxidase 1 subunit (COX1) of the mitochondrial DNA were amplified from individual adult worm by PCR. Subsequently, the PCR product was sequenced by Sanger method. The lengths of ITS2 and COX1 sequences were 378 and 857 bp, respectively, for all the sequenced samples. The amplified DNA sequences from both ribosomal and mitochondrial genes were highly similar (99% and 98%, respectively) to that of the ovine strain in the GenBank database. The results of the present study indicate that the morpho-molecular features and characteristics of E. granulosus in the Iranian wild sheep are the same as those of the sheep-dog E. granulosus sensu stricto strain.     

Prevalence of Malaria in Pregnant Women in Lagos, South-West Nigeria

Prevalence rates reported for malaria in pregnancy in Nigeria vary considerably. The accuracy of results of malaria diagnosis is dependent on training, experience, and motivation of the microscopist as well as the laboratory facility available. Results of training programmes on malaria microscopy have shown low levels of sensitivity and specificity of those involved in malaria diagnosis routinely and for research. This study was done to ascertain the true prevalence of malaria in pregnancy in Lagos, South-West Nigeria. A total of 1,084 pregnant women were recruited into this study. Blood smears stained with Giemsa were used for malaria diagnosis by light microscopy. Malaria infection during pregnancy presents mostly as asymptomatic infection. The prevalence of malaria in this population was 7.7% (95% confidence interval; 6.2-9.4%). Factors identified to increase the risk of malaria infection include young maternal age (< 20 years), and gravidity (primigravida). In conclusion, this study exposes the over-diagnosis of malaria in pregnancy and the need for training and retraining of laboratory staffs as well as establishing the malaria diagnosis quality assurance programme to ensure the accuracy of malaria microscopy results at all levels.     

Cryopreservation of Preimplantation Embryos of Cattle, Sheep, and Goats

Preimplantation embryos from cattle, sheep, and goats may be cryopreserved for short- or long-term storage. Preimplantation embryos consist predominantly of water, and the avoidance of intracellular ice crystal formation during the cryopreservation process is of paramount importance to maintain embryo viability. Embryos are placed into a hypertonic solution (1.4 – 1.5 M) of a cryoprotective agent (CPA) such as ethylene glycol (EG) or glycerol (GLYC) to create an osmotic gradient that facilitates cellular dehydration. After embryos reach osmotic equilibrium in the CPA solution, they are individually loaded in the hypertonic CPA solution into 0.25 ml plastic straws for freezing. Embryos are placed into a controlled rate freezer at a temperature of -6°C. Ice crystal formation is induced in the CPA solution surrounding the embryo, and crystallization causes an increase in the concentration of CPA outside of the embryo, causing further cellular dehydration. Embryos are cooled at a rate of 0.5°C/min, enabling further dehydration, to a temperature of -34°C before being plunged into liquid nitrogen (-196°C). Cryopreserved embryos must be thawed prior to transfer to a recipient (surrogate) female. Straws containing the embryos are removed from the liquid nitrogen dewar, held in room temperature air for 3 to 5 sec, and placed into a 37°C water bath for 25 to 30 sec. Embryos cryopreserved in GLYC are placed into a 1 M solution of sucrose for 10 min for removal of the CPA before transfer to a recipient (surrogate) female. Embryos cryopreserved in EG, however, may be directly transferred to the uterus of a recipient.