Interferon-alpha genes from Bos and Bubalus bubalus

Interferon-a genes were cloned from six breeds of three species of two genera (three Chinese native cattle breeds of yellow cattle, wild yak and HuanHu domestic yak, one European breed of Holstein cow, and two water buffalo breeds of FuAn water buffalo and FuZhong water buffalo) by direct PCR. The PCR products were directly inserted into the expression vector to be sequenced and expressed. Sequence analysis showed that IFN-a genes of six clones were composed of 498 nucleotides, encoding a mature polypeptide with 166 amino acids. Compared with the published BoIFN-a subtypes, the IFN-a gene of Holstein cow had only one point mutation with the BoIFN-aA subtype. The IFN-a gene of yellow cattle was similar to the BoIFN-aD subtype with amino acid identity of 97.0% and may be considered as a new subtype, namely, BoIFN-aD1. The other four IFN-a genes, cloned from wild yak and HuanHu domestic yak, FuAn water buffalo, and FuZhong water buffalo, represented four new subtypes, namely, BoIFN-aI, BoIFN-aJ, BuIFN-a1, and BuIFN-a2, respectively. Each of the six clones was expressed in E. coli with molecular weight of approximately 20 kDa by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analyses. Antiviral activity assays showed that the six recombinant IFN-a (rIFN-a) all exhibited 1,000 times higher antiviral activity in the MDBK/VSV cell line than in the CEF/VSV one. Moreover, the rIFN-as could inhibit infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus replication in the MDBK cell line using CPE inhibition method. The results suggested that rIFN-as a potential agent for clinical application against virus diseases in cattle industry.     

In vivo pelvimetry in buffaloes (Bos bubalus)

The comparison of external and internal, pelvimetry measurement was performed on 79, buffalo heifers, and a high, positive correlation (r=0.90) between the two methods was revealed. The pelvic area of the buffalo heifers increased progressively with the advancing age and with the increase in body weight. The convenience with which external pelvimetry could be performed, the simplicity of the equipment which was used and the accuracy of the method would certainly favor the application of external pelvimetry for routine use.     

Blood biochemical polymorphism in Spanish goat breeds

1. The structure of the Pirenaica, Verata, Guadarrama, Zamorana, Berciana, Granadina, Blanca Andaluza, Blanca Celtibérica, Murciana, Negra Serrana, Malague?a, Canaria, Palmera and Retinta goat breeds have been analysed. 2. Fourteen blood genetic systems were analysed: reduced glutathione (GSH), red cell potassium (Ke), haemoglobin (Hb), diaphorase (Dia), catalase (Ct), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), carbonic anhydrase (CA), X-protein (X), nucleoside phosphorylase (NP), alkaline phosphatase (Alp), amylase (Am), ceruloplasmin (Cp), transferrin (Tf) and albumin (Al). 3. Of the fourteen genetic systems studied, six were monomorphic (GSH, Ct, MDH, CA, NP and Cp) and eight polymorphic (Ke, Hb, Dia, X, Alp, Am, Tf and Al). Phenotypic and gene frequencies of the eight polymorphic genetic markers are reported.     

Blood groups and biochemical polymorphism in the Namaqua sheep breed

Summary. The Namaqua is an indigenous fat-tailed African breed of sheep which has remained relatively isolated and which at one time dwindled to near extinction. Frequency data are given for blood group antigens, red cell glutathione and potassium types, for electrophoretic variants of red cell haemoglobin, 'X' protein, nucleoside phosphorylase, NADH-diaphorase, lysine and carbonic anhydrase and of plasma esterase, transferrin and albumin. Of particular interest was the occurrence of the i blood group, a bimodal distribution in red cell glutathione concentrations and red cell potassium concentrations of around 57 mmo1/1 cells, i.e. neither typically LK nor HK type.     

Histology of hemal nodes of the water buffalo (Bos bubalus)

Hemal nodes are independent lymphoid organs found in various mammals but are ignored by most immunologists. They seem to play a role in defense against blood-borne infections in some species. The structure of the hemal node has been described in various species but, so far, not in the water buffalo. Specimens were obtained from ten clinically healthy male animals (five calves: 2–3 months old; five bulls: 2–8 years old). Six hemal nodes were obtained from each animal from the mesenteric and perirectal region. The samples were studied by light and transmission electron microscopy. The hemal nodes are bean-shaped or spherical, with one hilus through which the hilus arteries and nerves enter the node and from which veins and lymphatics leave it. The buffalo hemal node has a thin capsule of connective tissue and a few smooth muscle cells. Trabeculae extend from the capsule partially dividing the parenchyma. Subcapsular and trabecular blood sinuses are present. The parenchyma is composed of irregular lymphoid cords rich in erythrocytes, macrophages, and plasma cells and is separated by blood sinuses of variable size engorged with blood. These blood sinuses drain into the trabecular sinuses and then into the subcapsular sinus. In calves, the size of the lymphoid cords is larger than that in adult bulls. Buffalo hemal nodes can be classified as typical hemal nodes, because they are definitely different from hemolymph nodes in other species. They may play a role in filtering the blood.     

Hemoglobin polymorphism in Italian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalus (Arnee))

Electrophoretic analysis of 794 individual samples of water buffalo hemoglobin shows the presence of three phenotypes, AA, AB and BB. Phenotype AA has only the fast hemoglobin (Hb-fast). Phenotype AB and BB have the fast as well as the slow hemoglobin (Hb-slow). The quantitative ratio Hb-fast: Hb-slow is approximately 68:32 in BB and 84:16 in AB. Several genetic mechanisms are discussed in the light of the biochemical and family data provided.     

A polymorphism in randomly amplified DNA that differentiates the Y chromosomes of Bos indicus and Bos taurus

A small number of west African Bos taurus cattle breeds, including the N'Dama, constitute a valuable genetic resource by virtue of their ability to remain productive under trypanosomiasis challenge. However, introgression of Bos indicus genes into the trypanotolerant breeds, particularly by introduction of zebu bulls, is a threat to this resource. This work describes the characterization and cloning of a bovine randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) that is generated in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with the 10 base primer ILO1065 from Bos indicus male templates, but not from B. taurus male templates or female templates of either type. Male-specific sequences with homology to the RAPD also occur in B. taurus breeds. This suggests that the polymorphism may be due to base substitution(s) in an ILO1065 priming site, or insertion/deletion events either affecting priming sites or occurring between sites on the cattle Y chromosome. We have shown that cattle, whether of B. indicus or B. taurus phenotype, which possess a typically B. indicus metaphase Y chromosome on the basis of QFQ banding, have a B. indicus ILO1065-generated genotype. The ILO1065-primed RAPD can be used in a simple dot blot assay as a probe of RAPD-PCR products, to provide a convenient, reliable and effective means of detecting introgression of zebu genes in B. taurus cattle populations.     

Detection of quantitative trait loci in Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle using genome-wide association studies

Background

The apparent effect of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on phenotype depends on the linkage disequilibrium (LD) between the SNP and a quantitative trait locus (QTL). However, the phase of LD between a SNP and a QTL may differ between Bos indicus and Bos taurus because they diverged at least one hundred thousand years ago. Here, we test the hypothesis that the apparent effect of a SNP on a quantitative trait depends on whether the SNP allele is inherited from a Bos taurus or Bos indicus ancestor.

Methods

Phenotype data on one or more traits and SNP genotype data for 10 181 cattle from Bos taurus, Bos indicus and composite breeds were used. All animals had genotypes for 729 068 SNPs (real or imputed). Chromosome segments were classified as originating from B. indicus or B. taurus on the basis of the haplotype of SNP alleles they contained. Consequently, SNP alleles were classified according to their sub-species origin. Three models were used for the association study: (1) conventional GWAS (genome-wide association study), fitting a single SNP effect regardless of subspecies origin, (2) interaction GWAS, fitting an interaction between SNP and subspecies-origin, and (3) best variable GWAS, fitting the most significant combination of SNP and sub-species origin.

Results

Fitting an interaction between SNP and subspecies origin resulted in more significant SNPs (i.e. more power) than a conventional GWAS. Thus, the effect of a SNP depends on the subspecies that the allele originates from. Also, most QTL segregated in only one subspecies, suggesting that many mutations that affect the traits studied occurred after divergence of the subspecies or the mutation became fixed or was lost in one of the subspecies.

Conclusions

The results imply that GWAS and genomic selection could gain power by distinguishing SNP alleles based on their subspecies origin, and that only few QTL segregate in both B. indicus and B. taurus cattle. Thus, the QTL that segregate in current populations likely resulted from mutations that occurred in one of the subspecies and can have both positive and negative effects on the traits. There was no evidence that selection has increased the frequency of alleles that increase body weight.     

Blood group and protein polymorphism gene frequencies for seven breeds of horses in the United States

Gene frequencies at 20 blood group and protein polymorphism loci (A, C, D, K, P, Q, U, Al, Tf, Pi, Xk, Es, Gc, PGD, CA, Cat, PGM, AP, Hb and PHI) are given for seven horse breeds in the United States (Thoroughbred, Arabian, Standardbred, Morgan, Quarter Horse, Paso Fino and Peruvian Paso). These data are used to calculate that the battery of tests is at least 96% effective for recognizing incorrect paternity in these breeds. In addition to paternity testing, these tests can be applied to studies of breed relationships.     

Blood group and protein polymorphism gene frequencies for seven breeds of horses in the United States

Gene frequencies at 20 blood group and protein polymorphism loci ( A, C, D, K, P, Q, U, Al, Tf, Pi, Xk, Es, Gc, PGD, CA, Cat, PGM, AP, Hb and PHI ) are given for seven horse breeds in the United States (Thoroughbred, Arabian, Standard bred, Morgan, Quarter Horse, Paso Fino and Peruvian Paso). These data are used to calculate that the battery of tests is at least 96% effective for recognizing incorrect paternity in these breeds. In addition to paternity testing, these tests can be applied to studies of breed relationships.     

Genetic differentiation and biochemical polymorphism among trichomonads

Isoenzyme electrophoresis was used to study levels of genetic differentiation among strains and clones of Trichomonas gallinae, Trichomonas vaginalis, Tritrichomonas foetus, Tetratrichomonas gallinarum, and Pentatrichomonas hominis. Strain variation was found within T. gallinae, T. vaginalis, and T. foetus, however, levels of enzyme polymorphism were greater in T. gallinae than in T. vaginalis or T. foetus. Isoenzyme genotypes were not a stable property of T. gallinae clones cultivated in vitro. Retrospective studies of T. gallinae SG and JB6 clones revealed that mutation occurred during in vitro cultivation. Heterozygotes of hexokinase-1 and phosphoglucomutase displayed 2 allomorphs in equal dosage, indicating that trichomonads are diploid for these protein loci. Phenetic clustering of the biochemical data suggests that levels of genetic divergence among the species studied are extensive.