Estimation of genetic parameters for post-weaning traits of Kermani sheep

The objective of the present study was to estimate genetic parameters for post-weaning traits in Kermani sheep. Traits were included 6-month weight (6MW), 9-month weight (9MW), yearling weight (YW), greasy fleece weight at first shearing (GFW) and greasy fleece weights at various shearings (RFW). Data and pedigree information used in this research were collected at Breeding Station of Kermani sheep during 1993–2004. Genetic parameters were estimated with single- and multi-traits analysis using restricted maximum likelihood (REML) procedures, under animal models. Log likelihood ratio test indicated the most appropriate model for 6MW and 9MW should included direct additive genetic effects as well as maternal permanent environmental effects. However the most appropriate model for YW and GFW had only the direct additive genetic effects. The effects of sex, age of dam and year of birth were significant on body weight traits (P < 0.01). GFW was influenced significantly by sex and year of birth (P < 0.01) but was not affected by age of dam (P > 0.05). Type of birth was no significant effect on studied traits (P > 0.05). Also, the age of lamb at weighing time was a significant influence on 6MW, 9MW and YW. Direct heritability estimates for 6MW, 9MW, YW and GFW were 0.32, 0.03, 0.15 and 0.15, respectively. Maternal permanent environmental estimates of 0.09 were obtained for 6MW and 9MW. Genetic correlation estimates between mentioned traits ranged from 0.51 to 0.99. Phenotypic correlations were generally lower than those of genetic correlation and varied from 0.05 to 0.79 for various traits. The environmental correlations estimates between GFW with growth traits were low, but between other traits were positive and high, ranged from 0.54 to 0.72. The value of repeatability estimated for greasy fleece weight was 0.22.     

建立海南黎族永生细胞库

采用EB病毒转化外周血B淋巴细胞加环胞霉素A法,建立了含54株海南黎族永生细胞库(男性56%,女性44%),有亲缘关系者占13%。供血者身体健康,三代无与其他民族或支系通婚史。Abstract:　An immortalized cell bank of the Li Nationality in Hainan Province was successfully established using of cyclosporin A in establishing Epstein-Barr virus transformed human lymphoblastoid cell lines(LCL). This cell bank contains 54 continuous LCL of the RUN LI. All the blood donors are healthy, without intermarriage with other nationalities or different nationality branches for three generations. Moreover male and female make up 56% and 44% of the total donors respectively. 13% of the donors have blood relation.     

探讨微卫星DNA作为皮埃蒙特和南阳杂交牛生长性状的遗传标记

利用最小二乘法拟合线性模型,分析了５种微卫星ＤＮＡ,ＩＤＳＶＧＡ－２、ＩＤＶＧＡ－２７、ＩＤＶＧＡ－４６、ＩＤＶＧＡ－５５和ＴＧＬＡ－４４的不同标记基因型与１００头南阳牛,皮埃蒙物牛及其杂交后代的生长性状的关系。结果表明：ＩＤＶＧＡ－２７的等位基因１３６与胸围,十字部高,胸深及腰宽有显著正相关,而等位基因１４２与上述各项均有显著的负相关;在ＩＤＶＧＡ－４６中,含有等位基因２０５的个体在腰厚的肌肉发     

Genetic parameter estimates for pre-weaning weight traits in Dorper sheep

Genetic parameters were estimated for birth-, 42-day, and 100-day (weaning) weight in the Dorper flock of the Glen Agricultural Institute in South Africa. Direct heritability estimates of 0.11, 0.28 and 0.20 and maternal heritability estimates of 0.10, 0.10 and 0.10 were obtained for body weights at birth, 42 and 100 days, respectively. The corresponding genetic correlation estimates between direct and maternal effects were 0.35, −0.63 and −0.58, respectively. Both direct and maternal genetic correlation estimates among the traits were of moderate to high magnitude and positive. It is concluded that the traits can be improved by selection with no serious antagonisms among traits studied.     

Genetic parameters of lamb weights and ultrasonic muscle and fat depths in Beulah Specklefaced sheep

Genetic parameters for live weight at 8 weeks and day of scanning (mean age 151 days), ultrasonic muscle (UMD) and fat (UFD) depths were estimated using data from Beulah Specklefaced sheep in a sire reference scheme. Heritability estimates were 0.17, 0.16, 0.18 and 0.17 for eight week weight, scan weight, UMD and log₁₀ UFD, respectively, with corresponding estimates of maternal heritability of 0.05, 0.17, 0.07 and 0.18. Estimates of the proportion of phenotypic variance explained by permanent and temporary environmental effects for eight week weight were 0.17 and 0.14, respectively, and ranged between 0.04 and 0.08 for scan traits, with no significant (P > 0.05) variance due to permanent environmental effects for log₁₀ UFD. Correlations between direct and maternal additive effects ranged between −0.54 and −0.80. Genetic correlations among scan traits were moderate (0.33–0.51) and estimates of maternal, permanent and temporary environmental correlations were not significantly different from one (P > 0.05). These estimates generally support the structure of the selection index currently used in the Beulah breed; however, further information is required concerning the importance of the covariance between the direct and maternal additive effects.     

In silico exploration of the effects of host genotype and nutrition on the genetic parameters of lambs challenged with gastrointestinal parasites

An in silico mathematical model was used to explore the effect of, and the interaction between, (i) nutrition, (ii) genotype for growth and (iii) genotype for resistance, on the estimates of genetic parameters for resistance and performance in a population of lambs trickle-challenged daily with 3,000 L3s of Teladorsagia circumcincta. A previously published model for nematode infections in sheep was developed to include heritable variation in sheep growth traits, as well as in immunologically controlled traits such as establishment of incoming larvae, mortality of the adult worms and fecundity of the adult female worms. The simulated population comprised 10,000 lambs, these being the offspring of 250 sires mated to 5,000 dams. The model assumed the lambs to be parasitologically naïve at weaning (2 months of age), at which point the trickle challenge commenced and the model was updated daily until slaughter (at 6 months of age). Dietary treatments included a good and a poor quality feed, offered ad libitum. Two genotypes for growth were assumed: (i) fast and (ii) slow growing. Three genotypes for resistance were used: (i) benchmark, (ii) susceptible and (iii) resistant, differing in their ability to cope with nematode infections. Genetic parameters for output traits, including growth rate, food intake, worm burden and faecal egg count were estimated using a linear mixed model, fitting sire as a random effect to capture genetic effects. Heritabilities and correlations were found to change over time. In general, the heritabilities of immunity traits increased over time, whereas genetic correlations between production and immunity traits became weaker. Diet had a significant effect on the means and the estimated correlations of output traits, while genotypes for growth and resistance had smaller effects. These results suggest that discrepancies between published genetic parameters for nematode resistance may be a function of environmental factors rather than differences in host genotype.     

Nucleotide variants in prion-related protein (testis-specific) gene (PRNT) and effects on Chinese and Mongolian sheep phenotypes

ABSTRACT

Studies of the ovine prion-related protein (testis-specific) gene (PRNT), including studies of genetic diversity, have highlighted its potential relationship to scrapie infection and economically important ovine traits. PRNT was previously reported to be highly polymorphic in Portuguese sheep. To characterize genetic polymorphisms in this gene in Asian sheep, a direct sequencing method was used to detect polymorphic loci in PRNT in 285 individual sheep from four Chinese and one Mongolian breeds. Seven SNP variants in PRNT were identified, including three novel variants (g.93G>A, g.162G>T, and g.190A>G) and four previously reported variants (g.17 C>T, g.112G>C, g.129C>T, and g.144A>G). In the five breeds that we analyzed, the mutation frequencies of g.190A>G in Lanzhou Fat-tail sheep (LFTS) and g.129C>T in the other four varieties were high (F>0.5). Moreover, thirteen different haplotypes that had a comparable distribution in the tested breeds were also identified; ‘C-G-G-C-A-G-A’ occurred at the highest frequency in the five sheep breeds. Additionally, we previously explored the significance of relationships between polymorphisms in PRNP or PRND and ovine growth performance. Here, we also performed correlation analysis in all tested loci. These loci polymorphisms were significantly associated with ten different growth traits (P<0.05), except for g.93G>A. Meanwhile, in contrast to a previous study, there was no significant association between the seven SNP loci analyzed and our previously reported sheep PRND or PRNP insertion/deletion mutations. Our findings may provide new insights into polymorphic variation in ovine PRNT, which may contribute to genetic improvements in economic traits that are important for sheep breeding.     

On a method of estimating the genetic correlation between characters measured in different experimental units

Summary Yamada's method of estimating genetic co-variances between traits measured in different experimental units is discussed. It is shown that if the data are unbalanced, this method gives biased estimates of genetic covariances unless the traits have identical genetic and residual variances. An alternative unbiased procedure is suggested.     

Genetic characterization and breed assignment in five Italian sheep breeds using microsatellite markers

The knowledge of the genetic relationship and admixture among neighbouring populations is crucial for conservation efforts. The aim of this study was to analyse the genetic diversity of five Italian sheep breeds (Appenninica, Garfagnina Bianca, Massese, Pomarancina and Zerasca) using a panel of 24 microsatellite markers. Blood samples from 226 individuals belonging to the aforementioned populations were obtained and genotyped. All the investigated breeds showed a significant heterozygote deficiency caused by the high level of inbreeding indicated also by the high level of F_IS (0.146). Genetic differentiation between breeds was moderate (F_ST = 0.05) but significant and the individuals could be assigned to their breeds with an high success rate even if the inter-individual distances showed that few animals clustered separately from the other individuals of the same breed, especially for Pomarancina breed. The genetic distances reflect the historical knowledge of these breeds and some patterns of ancestral and recent gene flow between neighbour populations arise. The clustering analysis detects the presence of six clusters. Massese and Zerasca breeds were grouped together as well as Appenninica and Pomarancina with the latter forming two distinct clusters equally represented. The formation of this last breed is occurred with the absorption of individuals of the Appenninica breed and the gene flow probably continued in these recent years allowing the presence of a population substructure for Pomarancina breed. Such substructure supports the high level of heterozygote deficiency found for this breed despite the relatively high population size. The five populations analysed presented some genetic similarities but a clear uniqueness of the populations has been showed for almost all of them. Special attention to monitor genetic variability and to organize mating plans should be given especially for the three endangered breeds.     

Genetic diversity and variability in Alpine sheep breeds

The aim of this study was to analyze, through the use of microsatellite molecular markers, the genetic diversity and variability of nine Alpine sheep breeds reared in Italy (Bergamasca, Biellese, Schwarzbraunes Bergschaf, Tiroler Bergschaf, and Schnalserschaf), Germany (Brillenschaf and Weisses Bergschaf) and Slovenia (Bovška and Jezerzkǒ-Solčavska), and one Italian crossbreed population. Allelic richness was rather high in each breed highlighting a considerable genetic diversity. However, the study evidenced a significant departure from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium in all analyzed breeds caused by a heterozygote deficiency. Such lack seems to be caused both to the presence of population substructure within breed and to a rather high level of inbreeding. The genetic differentiation among breed was rather low (F_ST = 0.057) but significant. The clustering analysis performed with STRUCTURE detected the presence of eight clusters; Schwarzbraunes Bergschaf and Tiroler Bergschaf were grouped together and Biellese and Bergamasca as well, evidencing a high similarity of their genetic make up. Reynolds’ genetic distance estimates confirmed the close relationship between these pairs of breeds. Moreover, Bovška, Jezerzkǒ-Solčavska and Brillenschaf resulted rather similar as expected according to their region of origin and to their common ancestors. Molecular coancestry confirmed as well such findings, suggesting that the studied breeds had origin from different ancestral populations. Concluding, microsatellite resulted a useful tool to investigate breed variability and to characterize Alpine sheep breeds. Obtained findings suggest the need to set up a conservation plan aiming to safeguard and increase the genetic variability of the studied breeds compromised by the high level of inbreeding. Microsatellites genotyping could help to monitor breed variability and to organize matings.     

三种绵羊BMP15基因第二外显子多态性及与产羔数的相关性分析

绵羊存在影响多胎性状的不同主效基因,选择影响Romney Hanna绵羊和Cambridge绵羊高繁殖力的骨形态发生蛋白15 (bone morphogenetic protein 15, BMP15)为候选基因,采用PCR-SSCP的方法检测BMP15基因外显子Ⅱ第747位点(T747→C)和755位点(T755→C)在蒙古羊、甘肃高山细毛羊、小尾寒羊三种绵羊母羊中的多态性,同时还研究了上述两处突变对三种绵羊产羔数的影响。表明:(1)一共检测到野生纯合型AA、突变杂合型AB (T747→C)、AC (T755→C)三种不同的基因型,AA为优势基因型,A为优势等位基因;(2)三种基因型在甘肃高山细毛羊中均被检测到,而蒙古羊和小尾寒羊中未检测出AB基因型;(3)突变杂合型蒙古羊(AC)比野生纯合型(AA)的平均产羔数多0.27只(p<0.05)。(4)AC的基因型频率,双羔母羊和多羔母羊均高于单羔母羊。根据以上实验推测,BMP15第755位点发生的T→C突变(AC型)对蒙古羊一胎产双羔影响十分显著,甘肃高山细毛羊中AC基因型的绵羊其产羔数有比AA基因型和AB基因型多的趋势,因此该位点可能是一个影响绵羊高繁殖力潜在的DNA标记。     

甘肃现代肉羊新品种群羊GH基因外显子1多态性与体重关联分析

根据GenBank发表的绵羊生长激素(GH)基因外显子1的序列设计一对引物,采用PCR-SSCP技术分析GH基因外显子1在甘肃现代肉羊新品种选育群羊中的单核苷酸多态性,并与3月龄前的体重进行关联分析。结果表明,GH基因外显子1在新品种群羊中存在多态性,检测到两种基因型(AA、AB),其301bp处有一个T/A突变和305bp处有一个G/A突变,初生重、1月、2月、3月龄体重AA、AB型都无显著性差异(P>0.05),但3月龄AB型个体的体重相对于AA型偏高,由此初步推断GH基因可能是影响绵羊体重性状的主基因或与主基因相连锁,可用以对绵羊体重性状进行标记辅助选择。     

Pedigree analysis of the closed nucleus of Iranian Baluchi sheep

A study was conducted to characterise genetic diversity in the closed nucleus of Baluchi sheep using pedigree analysis. Herdbook information collected between 1979 and 2008, including pedigree records on 21,721 animals, was used to compute inbreeding and average generation intervals. Effective population size and parameters derived from probability of gene origin were computed for ewes born between 2005 and 2008 with both parents known (female reference population). The average complete generation equivalent of the female reference population was 5.47. The mean generation interval was 3.33 years in the studied period. From 1983 to 1994, the rate of increase in inbreeding was approximately 0.2% per year, but, after 1994, inbreeding did not increase as in the preceding years and had an approximately flat trend over time. The mean relationship coefficients among rams, among ewes and between rams and ewes in active animals were calculated to predict the future level of inbreeding. The effective number of founders, effective number of ancestors and founder genome equivalent of the reference population were 80, 47 and 19.5, respectively. The realised effective population size was 134 animals. The results of this study indicated that the population under study has fairly good genetic variability.     

Selection for reproductive rate in Rambouillet sheep: Estimated genetic change in reproductive rate

Rambouillet sheep were selected for high or low reproductive rate based on an index of reproductive rate, reproductive INDEX = dam's total lifetime lambs born/(age in years-1). Selected ewes were first born in 1969. A random bred control line was established from the remaining foundation ewes with the first ewes born in 1973. Genetic variances were estimated with REML procedures for reproductive index and number of lambs born or weaned either per ewe exposed for breeding or per ewe lambing. Heritability of reproductive index was 0.26. Heritability for number of lambs born were 0.11 and 0.12 and for number of lambs weaned were 0.04 and 0.04 per ewe exposed for breeding and per ewe lambing, respectively. Breeding values for the reproductive index were estimated using the full animal model (BLUP) with the complete numerator relationship matrix on reproductive index, with fixed effect of year of birth of ewe and breeding values for number of lambs born or weaned either per ewe exposed for breeding or per ewe lambing, estimated with the fixed effects of year of birth of ewe and age of ewe and the random effect of permanent environmental effect among repeated lambing records. Genetic change was estimated as the regression of breeding value for reproductive index and number of lambs born or weaned either per ewe exposed for breeding or per ewe lambing on year of birth of the ewe. High and low lines both responded to selection for reproductive index as compared to the control line (P<0.01). The high line increased at a rate of b = 0.0134 ± 0.0006 reproductive index units and the low line decreased at a rate of b = − 0.0098 ± 0.0005 reproductive index units per year. Response to selection for reproductive index resulted in b = − 0.0074 ± 0.0007 and b = 0.0163 ± 0.0006 lambs per ewe exposed for breeding, and b = − 0.0041 ± 0.0002 and b = 0.0075 ± 0.0002 lambs weaned per ewe exposed for breeding in the low and high lines, respectively. There was a greater response to selection in the high line compared to the low line. These results indicated that the reproductive index did respond to selection.     

Quantitative genetic variance associated with chromosomal markers in segregating populations

Summary Use of chromosomal markers can accelerate genetic progress for quantitative traits in pedigree selection programs by providing early information on Mendelian segregation effects for individual progeny. Potential effectiveness of selection using markers is determined by the amount of additive genetic variance traced from parents to progeny by the markers. Theoretical equations for the amount of additive genetic variance associated with a marker were derived at the individual level and for a segregating population in joint linkage equilibrium. Factors considered were the number of quantitative trait loci linked to the marker, their individual effects, and recombination rates with the marker. Subsequently, the expected amount of genetic variance associated with a marker in a segregating population was derived. In pedigree selection programs in segregating populations, a considerable fraction of the genetic variance on a chromosome is expected to be associated with a marker located on that chromosome. For an average chromosome in the bovine, this fraction is approximately 40% of the Mendelian segregation variance contributed by the chromosome. The effects of interference and position of the marker on this expectation are relative small. Length of the chromosome has a large effect on the expected variance. Effectiveness of MAS is, however, greatly reduced by lack of polymorphism at the marker and inaccuracy of estimation of chromosome substitution effects. The size of the expected amount of genetic variance associated with a chromosomal marker indicates that, even when the marker is not the active locus, large chromosome substitution effects are not uncommon in segregating populations.     

Genetic analysis of ewe productivity traits in Moghani sheep

Genetic and environmental (co)variance components for productivity traits in Moghani sheep were estimated using data from 1344 ewes. The data were collected in the Jafarabad breeding station, north-east of Iran, during a 13-year period (1995-2008). The studied traits were litter size at birth (LSB), litter size at weaning (LSW), litter mean weight per lamb born (LMWLB), litter mean weight per lamb weaned (LMWLW), total litter weight at birth (TLWB) and total litter weight at weaning (TLWW). A model including direct additive genetic effects as well as permanent environmental effects related to repeated records of ewe was the most appropriate model for all the studied traits. Genetic parameters were estimated applying restricted maximum likelihood (REML) procedure. Direct heritability estimate for LSB, LSW, LMWLB, LMWLW, TLWB and TLWW were 0.11, 0.02, 0.15, 0.07, 0.07 and 0.06, respectively. Corresponding values for repeatability estimates were 0.16, 0.19, 0.18, 0.11, 0.13 and 0.09. Genetic correlations between the studied traits ranged from −0.99 for LSB-LMWLB and LSW-LMWLB to 0.99 for LSB-TLWB. Phenotypic and environmental correlation estimates were generally lower than those of genetic ones. Estimates of permanent environmental correlation among traits were positive and medium to high. Although low direct heritabilities were estimated for the reproductive traits, as these traits are of interest then they should be included in a breeding program.     

Were the main mountain ranges in the Korean Peninsula a glacial refugium for plants? Insights from the congeneric pair Lilium cernuum – Lilium amabile

The main Korean mountain range (the so-called “Baekdudaegan”), which stretches from north to south across most of the country, has been thought to harbor glacial refugia for boreal plant species, where they likely found relatively stable habitats and maintained large population sizes. Under this scenario, high levels of genetic variation and low or moderate degree of differentiation among populations within these species were expected. To test this hypothesis, we examined levels of allozyme diversity (14 loci) in eight populations of the boreal herb Lilium cernuum, which in Korea occurs largely along the Baekdudaegan and, as a reference, in eight populations of its congener Lilium amabile, a temperate species that is distributed on lower hillsides in peripheral regions of the Baekdudaegan. L. cernuum harbored higher levels of genetic variation within populations than L. amabile (%P = 49.1 vs. 25.0, A = 1.71 vs. 1.34, and H_e = 0.159 vs. 0.048). Genetic differentiation among populations was low for both species (F_ST = 0.119 and 0.014 for L. cernuum and L. amabile, respectively). A series of historical and ecological factors may explain the contrasting levels of genetic diversity between L. cernuum and L. amabile: occurrence within the main ranges of the Baekdudaegan (enduring the glacial periods in macrorefugia) vs. low elevation peripheral areas (in microrefugia) and shade-tolerant vs. shade-intolerant. This study, as well as previous population genetics studies, strongly suggests that the Baekdudaegan merits high priority for conservation given its proposed role as glacial refugia for montane species.