牛FSHR基因5′端侧翼序列分析与其多态性

西北农林科技大学牧医学院魏伍川博士等近年以中国西门塔尔牛基因组DNA为模板 ,参照绵羊FSHR基因序列设计和合成引物 ,用PCR扩增 ,获得长度为 931bp’包括 5′端侧翼 797bp和结构基因第一外显子区1 34bp的牛FSHR基因片段 ,并将其克隆于PUC1 8载体中 ,经系列分析发现牛的FSHR基因转录启动子的遗传结构与人和鼠的FSHR基因不同 ,它的基因转录启动区含有TATA盒和类CAAT盒序列 ,在检索出的转录调节元件或特征性序列位点上 ,牛与绵羊在 5个序列位点有碱基变异 ,这可能与牛和绵羊产仔率高低不同有关。对研究中的 34头中国西门塔尔牛…     

基于转录组筛选黑安格斯牛肉质性状关键调控基因

为了对黑安格斯牛肉质性状关键调控基因进行筛选,本研究分别以3头24月龄的黑安格斯牛和西门塔尔牛背最长肌为试验材料,在运用Illumina HiSeqTM技术对所有样品进行转录组测序后利用生物信息学方法和相关软件对测序结果进行归类分析.通过分析得到黑安格斯牛与西门塔尔样本间的差异表达基因有409个,其中上调基因115个,下调基因294个.进一步分析发现与肉质性状相关的基因PARD表达量在黑安格斯中显著高于西门塔尔(P＜0.01),对此运用RT-qPCR技术进行验证得到的实验结果与转录组结果一致.这些研究结果不仅表明黑安格斯牛中的PPARD表达量比西门塔尔牛的高,还说明该基因对牛的肉质具有一定的调控作用,也对宁夏地区安格斯牛的选育及核心安格斯牛种群的建设具有一定的参考价值.     

甘肃西门塔尔牛甘州类群MSTN基因外显子多态性分析

采用PCR-SSCP方法检测50头甘肃西门塔尔牛甘州类群MSTN基因3个外显子的遗传多态性,并对群体内各等位基因进行测序,旨为探讨西门塔尔牛MSTN基因与肉质性状关联等方面的研究提供理论依据。结果显示,甘肃西门塔尔牛甘州类群MSTN基因3个外显子中,外显子2受B、C等位基因控制,形成BB、CC和BC 3种基因型,基因型频率分别为0.22(11/50)、0.64(32/50)、0.14(7/50);外显子1和外显子3分别受A等位基因与D等位基因控制,形成AA和DD基因型,基因型频率均为1(50/50)。序列分析表明,甘肃西门塔尔牛甘州类群MSTN基因3个外显子中,外显子2在第41 bp处发生了C→T的突变,但并没有导致氨基酸发生改变,属于同义突变;外显子1和3均无突变。统计结果表明,甘肃西门塔尔牛甘州类群MSTN基因3个外显子中,外显子2为中度多态,其余均无变化。     

牦牛SRY和TRO基因部分序列克隆与测序分析

对牦牛SRY和TRO的部分基因克隆和序列分析,以期为进一步开展该基因与其性别相关分析,进行性染色体的基因定位、以及分子标记辅助选择等研究提供了理论依据。用特定引物对牦牛和西门塔尔牛的SRY、TRO基因部分序列进行扩增并进行TA克隆和测序。通过测序结果与普通牛的比对分析表明,这两个基因区域在牛种中有极高的保守性。牦牛与普通牛SRY和TRO基因这两个区域的核酸同源性分别达到了99．08％和99．39％。根据对这两个基因序列的研究为精子或者胚胎的性别鉴定提供有力的理论基础。     

新疆褐牛和安格斯牛公犊脂代谢相关肉品质性状的比较

动物体脂沉积具有明显的时空变化特征,且与其肉品质性状密切相关。新疆褐牛是我国著名的肉乳兼用培育品种,但与国外优良肉牛品种相比,其脂代谢相关肉品质性状的生长发育变化以及其相关调控基因的表达变化缺乏系统研究。本研究以相同饲养条件下安格斯肉牛和新疆褐牛3月龄公犊为对象,对其屠宰性状、不同脂肪组织形态测量指标、背最长肌和脂肪组织中脂肪酸合成酶(FASN)、脂肪酸结合蛋白4(FABP4)、激素敏感脂酶(HSL)、脂蛋白脂酶(LPL)和瘦素(LEP)基因的m RNA及其蛋白表达以及血清中其激素水平进行了测定。以期为后续的品种比较研究提供早期生长发育变化基础。结果为:(1)安格斯公犊肉骨比极显著高于新疆褐牛(p0.01),而肋脂厚和眼肌面积显著小于新疆褐牛(p0.05)。(2)安格斯肉牛心周脂肪和网膜脂肪组织中的脂肪细胞面积/单位面积脂肪细胞数量之比显著高于新疆褐牛(p0.05)。(3)在背最长肌和肾周脂肪中安格斯牛的FASN基因mRNA表达量均呈现出显著(p0.05)和极显著(p0.01)低于新疆褐牛的一致性变化;而在心周脂肪中则呈现安格斯公犊极显著高于新疆褐牛的相反变化(p0.01)。此外,在心周脂肪中安格斯牛的LEP和LPL基因的m RNA表达量极显著(p0.01)和显著(p0.05)高于新疆褐牛,而在肾周脂肪中安格斯牛的LPL、HSL和FABP4基因的mRNA表达量均极显著低于新疆褐牛(p0.01)。在心周脂肪组织和肾周脂肪中安格斯牛的LPL蛋白表达量极显著(p0.01)和显著(p0.05)高于新疆褐牛;(4)安格斯公犊血清5种激素浓度均显著(p0.05)或极显著(p0.01)低于新疆褐牛。除LEP外,该结果与肾周脂肪中其余4种激素编码基因的mRNA相对表达量变化一致。本研究结果表明,三月龄新疆褐牛体脂沉积能力大于安格斯牛,而产肉率有低于安格斯牛的趋势。体脂代谢相关基因及其蛋白表达的品种间差异主要体现在背最长肌、肾周、心周脂肪等组织。     

10个牛品种线粒体12S rRNA基因多态性分析

以鲁西牛、渤海黑牛、大别山牛、南阳牛、晋南牛、秦川牛、中国西门塔尔牛、日本和牛、海福特牛和安格斯牛10个牛品种共计353头牛为研究对象,利用单链构象多态性（SSCP）分子标记方法对其线粒体DNA 12S rRNA基因进行了多态性分析,结果发现该基因出现分布频率不同的3种单倍型（Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ）,其中单倍型Ⅰ出现的频率最低,仅在晋南牛1个个体中发现;单倍型Ⅱ在中国本地黄牛中都存在,在中国西门塔尔牛中的分布频率很低,但在3个国外品种海福特牛、安格斯牛和日本和牛中不存在;单倍型Ⅲ在这10个牛品种中均有分布,但以国外品种最丰富。计算平均多态信息含量,发现我国地方品种在0.232～0.423之间,基本属于中度多态,说明我国地方黄牛品种在12S rRNA上多态性比较丰富,国外品种较为贫乏;但是单倍型Ⅰ频率很低有丢失的趋势,需要对其进行保护。     

以Cytb基因部分序列分析大额牛系统地位及其种群现状

对12头大额牛Cytb基因部分序列447bp进行分析,共发现33个变异位点,定义了4种单倍型;结合GenBank中牛属普通牛、瘤牛、牦牛和印度褐牛4个近缘种的Cytb基因同源区序列进行分析,以水牛作为外群,分别采用邻接(NJ)法和最大简约(MP)法构建分子系统发育树,得到基本一致的拓扑结构,结果表明大额牛是独立于普通牛、瘤牛和印度褐牛之外的Bos属的一个独立的种。同时还指出目前我国有相当比例的大额牛受到外来物种的入侵,我国的大额牛保护工作正面临非常严峻的考验。     

牛疾病相关基因的DNA变异及遗传控制

牛基因组中一些重要基因的DNA突变通过改变基因的表达和蛋白质功能来影响机体对疾病的抗性或易感性。控制牛疾病的DNA变异主要分为单基因座及多基因座两类。导致疾病的单基因座类型亦称因果突变,其遗传基础较简单,突变一般位于基因编码区或非编码区,多为单碱基或少数几个碱基的突变,这些突变导致氨基酸的错义突变、翻译提前终止或部分外显子缺失等。相比而言,多基因相关疾病的遗传基础较为复杂,遗传-病原体-环境间的互作是导致这类复杂疾病的主要原因。文章综述了由单基因座和多基因座遗传变异所控制的牛主要疾病的研究和应用现状,以及在牛育种及生产中为降低这些疾病的发生所采用的遗传控制策略。     

不同生长时期基因调控对南阳牛生长发育的影响

以南阳牛为试验动物,利用PCR-SSCP和PCR-RFLP技术研究了南阳牛生长激素（GH）基因,IGF-I基因以及IGF-IBP3基因的遗传多态,并分析了遗传多态位点对南阳牛0月龄、6月龄、12月龄、18月龄、24月龄以及36月龄不同生长时期生长发育性状的影响。结果表明： 在6月龄～18月龄,GH基因的GH-P5位点的BB基因型对南阳牛的体长、体高显著的正效应;在生长的后期（24月龄～36月龄）,IGF-IBP3-P5基因位点对南阳牛的后躯发育起主要调控作用,BB基因型个体的尻宽显著高于AA型。这表明基因的正效应不是在所有的生长周期表现,而是在特定的时期表现对南阳牛生长发育的显著影响。     

不同基因型对南阳牛生长发育性状的影响

以南阳牛为实验动物,利用PCR-SSCP和PCR-RFLP技术研究了南阳牛生长激素(GH)基因,IGF-I基因以及IGF-IBP3基因的遗传多态,并分析了遗传多态位点对南阳牛0月龄、6月龄、12月龄、18月龄、24月龄以及36月龄不同生长时期生长发育性状的影响.结果表明: 在6月龄～18月龄,GH基因的GH-P5位点的BB基因型对南阳牛的体长、体高显著的正效应;在生长的后期(24月龄～36月龄),IGF-IBP3-P5基因位点对南阳牛的后躯发育起主要调控作用,BB基因型个体的尻宽显著高于AA型.这表明基因的正效应不是在所有的生长周期表现,而是在特定的时期内表现对南阳牛生长发育的显著影响.     

Molecular analysis of carbohydrate N-acetylgalactosamine 4-O sulfotransferase 8 (CHST8) as a candidate gene for bovine spongiform encephalopathy susceptibility

Endogenous prion proteins (PrP) play the central role in the pathogenesis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. The carbohydrate N -acetylgalactosamine 4-O sulfotransferase 8 (CHST8) promotes the conversion of the cellular PrP^C into the pathogenic PrP^d. Six sequence variants within the CHST8 gene were identified by comparative sequencing and genotyped for a sample of 623 animals comprising bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)-affected and healthy control cows representing German Fleckvieh (German Simmental), German Holstein (Holstein-Friesian) and Brown Swiss. Significant differences in the allele, genotype and haplotype frequencies between BSE-affected and healthy cows indicate an association of sequence variant g.37254017G>T with the development of the disease in Brown Swiss cattle.     

DNA polymorphisms of the prion doppel gene region in four different German cattle breeds and cows tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy

Polymorphisms of the prion protein gene PRNP have been shown to influence the susceptibility/resistance to prion infections in human and sheep. In addition, the T174M polymorphism within the flanking prion doppel gene (PRND) was thought to be involved in susceptibility to sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease. To study a possible influence of DNA polymorphisms of the bovine PRND gene in bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), previously identified and newly isolated DNA polymorphisms were genotyped in all available German cattle that tested positive for BSE. Genotypes and calculated haplotypes were compared with breeding bulls serving as controls. Analysis of the four major breeds Schwarzbunt (Holstein Friesian), Rotbunt (Holstein Red), Fleckvieh (Simmental), and Braunvieh (Swiss Brown) resulted in the isolation of the previously known polymorphisms R50H and R132Q and two novel synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) C4820T and A5063T. Comparative genotype and haplotype analysis of BSE and control animals revealed a significantly different distribution of polymorphisms C4815T and R132Q in Fleckvieh animals but not in the other breeds tested. No association to BSE susceptibility was detectable for polymorphisms R50H and A5063T.     

Effects of suckling frequency and breed on productive performance,follicular dynamics and postpartum interval in beef cows

One experiment was conducted to determine the influence of suckling frequency (restricted suckling (RS) versus ad libitum suckling (AS)) and breed (Brown Swiss versus Pirenaica) on productive performance, follicular dynamics and postpartum cyclicity resumption in beef cows. Twenty-four spring-calving cows (12 Brown Swiss and 12 Pirenaica) were used. After calving cows were assigned, within breed, to the two suckling frequencies (RS versus AS). During the postpartum period, cows were fed 100% of the daily energy estimated requirements. The study was conducted from calving to either day 90 postpartum or to detection of the second ovulation whenever it came later. The pattern of follicular development was monitored daily by transrectal ultrasonography, and blood samples were collected three times a week to analyse progesterone concentrations by RIA. Body condition score at calving was 2.5 (from 1 to 5). Productive parameters were not significantly affected by suckling frequency. Pirenaica cows gained more weight (P<0.001), while Brown Swiss cows had higher milk yield (P<0.001) and thus their calves grew faster (P<0.05). In the present moderate conditions of nutrition, either suckling frequency or breed did not affect follicular dynamics (on average there were 6.5 follicles in emergence, growth rate of dominant follicle (DF) was 1.3mm per day and maximum diameter of dominant follicle was 13.9mm). There were gradual increases in maximum diameter and growth rate of dominant follicle related to the proximity of the ovulatory waves, and they were defined by third order polynomial equations. Postpartum anoestrous interval (PPI) was markedly affected by the interaction between suckling frequency and breed (P<0.001): ad libitum suckling prolonged significantly the interval from calving to first ovulation in Brown Swiss cows (31.8 day versus 82.7 day, in RS and AS groups, respectively, P<0.05), but not in Pirenaica cows (43.5 day versus 32.6 day, in RS and AS groups, respectively, not statistically significant). It is concluded that in moderate pre- and postpartum nutritional conditions Brown Swiss cows were more susceptible to the suppressor effect of ad libitum suckling on postpartum anoestrous interval than Pirenaica cows, although this breed difference did not seem to be mediated by differences in energy balance or in ovarian follicular dynamics.     

Revisiting the quantitative trait loci for milk production traits on BTA6

A parallel association study was performed in two independent cattle populations based on 41 validated, targeted single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and four microsatellite markers to re-evaluate the multiple quantitative trait loci (QTL) architecture for milk performance on bovine chromosome 6 (BTA6). Two distinct QTL located in the vicinity of the middle region of BTA6, but differing unambiguously regarding their effects on milk composition and yield traits were validated in the German Holstein population. A highly significant association of the protein variant ABCG2 p.Tyr581Ser with milk composition traits reconfirmed the causative molecular relevance of the ABCG2 gene in QTL region 1, whereas in QTL region 2, significant and tentative associations between gene variants RW070 and RW023 (located in the promoter region and exon 9 of the PPARGC1A gene for milk yield traits) were detected. For the German Fleckvieh population, only RW023 showed a tentative association with milk yield traits, whereas those loci with significant effects in German Holsteins (ABCG2 p.Tyr581Ser, RW070) showed fixed alleles. Even though our new data highlight two variants in the PPARGC1A gene (RW023, RW070) in QTL region 2, based on the results of our study, currently no unequivocal conclusion about the causal background of this QTL affecting milk yield traits can be drawn. Notably, the German Holstein and Fleckvieh populations, known for their divergent degree of dairy type, differ substantially in their allele frequencies for the growth-associated NCAPG p.Ile442Met locus.     

NMR metabolomic analysis of dairy cows reveals milk glycerophosphocholine to phosphocholine ratio as prognostic biomarker for risk of ketosis

Ketosis is a common metabolic disease in dairy cows. Diagnostic markers for ketosis such as acetone and beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) are known, but disease prediction remains an unsolved challenge. Milk is a steadily available biofluid and routinely collected on a daily basis. This high availability makes milk superior to blood or urine samples for diagnostic purposes. In this contribution, we show that high milk glycerophosphocholine (GPC) levels and high ratios of GPC to phosphocholine (PC) allow for the reliable selection of healthy and metabolically stable cows for breeding purposes. Throughout lactation, high GPC values are connected with a low ketosis incidence. During the first month of lactation, molar GPC/PC ratios equal or greater than 2.5 indicate a very low risk for developing ketosis. This threshold was validated for different breeds (Holstein-Friesian, Brown Swiss, and Simmental Fleckvieh) and for animals in different lactations, with observed odds ratios between 1.5 and 2.38. In contrast to acetone and BHBA, these measures are independent of the acute disease status. A possible explanation for the predictive effect is that GPC and PC are measures for the ability to break down phospholipids as a fatty acid source to meet the enhanced energy requirements of early lactation.     

Quantitation of glucocorticoid receptors in bovine skeletal muscle: Topographical distribution, sex effect and breed comparisons

The concentration of the cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor (GR) was determined in skeletal muscles of calves in order to study possible differences in individual muscles from different parts of the body as well as the influence of sex and breed. In male and female Simmental calves the topographical distribution of GR was similar: the lowest concentrations were seen in abdominal muscle, whereas in neck, shoulder and hindleg the GR concentrations were higher; this difference was more pronounced in male than in female calves. In general, female calves had about 2-fold higher GR concentrations than males. The cytosolic cortisol concentrations were differing neither between individual muscles nor between sexes. The cortisol secretion during a 24-h sampling period 1 week prior to slaughter showed no sex difference. GR concentrations in neck muscle of female calves of four different German cattle breeds (Holstein Friesian, Brown Swiss, Simmental and German Gelbvieh) were rather similar; however, when Brown Swiss with the highest GR levels were compared to Holstein Friesian calves with the lowest concentrations, a significant difference was evident (P < 0.05).     

Comparison of protein markers and microsatellites in differentiation of cattle populations

Five cattle populations, representing four breeds, were analysed for 14 protein markers and five microsatellite loci. The breeds studied were Brown Swiss and three autochthonous Spanish cattle: Avileña-Negra Ibérica (A-NI), two populations (A-NI 1 and A-NI 2) from different, reproductively isolated, locations; Sayaguesa; and Morucha. A total of 752 animals were examined for biochemical polymorphisms, of which 488 were also DNA typed. Genetic parameters and phylogenetic trees were obtained separately for each group of markers and results were compared. Estimates of heterozygosity and genetic distances from microsatellites were greater than those obtained using protein markers. The overall topology of the two dendrograms was similar. A-NI 1 and A-NI 2 populations were grouped together, related to Morucha, and the three of them related to Sayaguesa. Brown Swiss appeared in a separate branch from Spanish cattle. These results support the usefulness of microsatellites in the study of genetic relationships among closely related populations and breeds.     

Genome‐wide assessment of diversity and differentiation between original and modern Brown cattle populations

Identifying genomic regions involved in the differences between breeds can provide information on genes that are under the influence of both artificial and natural selection. The aim of this study was to assess the genetic diversity and differentiation among four different Brown cattle populations (two original vs. two modern populations) and to characterize the distribution of runs of homozygosity (ROH) islands using the Illumina Bovine SNP50 BeadChip genotyping data. After quality control, 34 735 SNPs and 106 animals were retained for the analyses. Larger heterogeneity was highlighted for the original populations. Patterns of genetic differentiation, multidimensional scaling, and the neighboring joining tree distinguished the modern from the original populations. The F_ST‐outlier identified several genes putatively involved in the genetic differentiation between the two groups, such as stature and growth, behavior, and adaptability to local environments. The ROH islands within both the original and the modern populations overlapped with QTL associated with relevant traits. In modern Brown (Brown Swiss and Italian Brown), ROH islands harbored candidate genes associated with milk production traits, in evident agreement with the artificial selection conducted to improve this trait in these populations. In original Brown (Original Braunvieh and Braunvieh), we identified candidate genes related with fat deposition, confirming that breeding strategies for the original Brown populations aimed to produce dual‐purpose animals. Our study highlighted the presence of several genomic regions that vary between Brown populations, in line with their different breeding histories.