Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: A.M. Salzano Author-Workplace-Name: Institute for the Animal Production System in the Mediterranean Environment, National Research Council (CNR), Napoli, Italy Author-Name: A. Pauciullo Author-Workplace-Name: Institute for the Animal Production System in the Mediterranean Environment, National Research Council (CNR), Napoli, Italy Author-Name: C. D'Ambrosio Author-Workplace-Name: Institute for the Animal Production System in the Mediterranean Environment, National Research Council (CNR), Napoli, Italy Author-Name: G. Novi Author-Workplace-Name: Institute for the Animal Production System in the Mediterranean Environment, National Research Council (CNR), Napoli, Italy Author-Name: M. Strazzullo Author-Workplace-Name: Institute for the Animal Production System in the Mediterranean Environment, National Research Council (CNR), Napoli, Italy Author-Name: A. Scaloni Author-Workplace-Name: Institute for the Animal Production System in the Mediterranean Environment, National Research Council (CNR), Napoli, Italy Title: Bovine hemoglobin polymorphism: a novel alpha-globin variant identified in the Agerolese breed from southern Italy Abstract: This study describes the results of molecular screening in the Agerolese cattle breed from southern Italy, which constitutes an economical source and contributes to the regional biodiversity. Integrated electrophoretic, chromatographic, mass spectrometric, and DNA sequencing procedures were used to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate globin chain polymorphism in a population of animals from different farms. In addition to α-, βA-, and βB-globin-bearing animal phenotypes, our data demonstrate the occurrence of individuals characterized by the presence of a novel α-globin variant, whose primary structure differs from the normal counterpart for the p.Ala27Thr substitution. The SNP c.79G>A located at the exon 1 of the HBA2 gene is responsible for this amino acid change and it represents a third example of α-globin gene polymorphism observed in Bos taurus. This phenomenon was ascertained only in two Mediterranean breeds from southern Italy and highlights the uncommon occurrence of α-globin variants in this geographical region, similarly to what has already been described in goat and human. Keywords: Bos taurus, native cattle breed, amino acid substitution, HBA2 gene, SNP Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 145-151 Volume: 60 Issue: 4 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/8128-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/8128-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201504-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:60:y:2015:i:4:id:8128-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: X. Yao Author-Workplace-Name: College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Shaanxi Stem Cell Engineering and Technology Research Center, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, P.R. China Author-Name: H. Ren Author-Workplace-Name: College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, P.R. China Author-Name: W. Yang Author-Workplace-Name: College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, P.R. China Author-Name: T. Diraviyam Author-Workplace-Name: College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, P.R. China Author-Name: F. Tang Author-Workplace-Name: College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Shaanxi Stem Cell Engineering and Technology Research Center, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, P.R. China Author-Name: M. Yu Author-Workplace-Name: College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Shaanxi Stem Cell Engineering and Technology Research Center, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, P.R. China Author-Name: J. Hua Author-Workplace-Name: College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Shaanxi Stem Cell Engineering and Technology Research Center, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, P.R. China Author-Name: X. Zhang Author-Workplace-Name: College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, P.R. China Author-Name: S. Peng Author-Workplace-Name: College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Shaanxi Stem Cell Engineering and Technology Research Center, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, P.R. China Title: Expression of goat RNA binding protein (NANOS2), development and evaluation of anti-NANOS2 IgY antibodies Abstract: Available rabbit anti-NANOS2 antibodies failed to recognize the NANOS2 protein of goat origin though they showed better reactivity towards the same protein of human and mice origin. A specific antibody against goat NANOS2 is necessary to explore the biological functions of dairy goat NANOS2 protein. Recombinant NANOS2 protein (dairy goat origin) was expressed in E. coli (BL21). Anti-NANOS2 immunoglobulin Y (IgY; in chicken) was developed and evaluated. NANOS2 protein sequences between mice and dairy goat were compared using bioinformatics tools. The specific IgY titer attained the peak (≥ 1 : 128 000) after the 3rd booster injection, then it gradually decreased to 1 : 16 000 and remained stable. The specificity and sensitivity of anti-NANOS2 IgY was superior to rabbit anti-NANOS2 IgG. Though, the functional domain 63-116 or 62-115 of NANOS2 protein is highly conserved with 100% identity in dairy goat and mice, the considerable difference in sequence at region 18-61 was identified from the predicted epitopes. According to our survey, this is the first report on preparation of chicken IgY against NANOS2 protein and indicating the prerequisite of species specific NANOS2 antibodies due to epitopes difference in functionally conserved NANOS2 protein. Anti-NANOS2 IgY could be applied as a novel research tool in developmental biology. Keywords: NANOS2 protein, dairy goat, chicken egg yolk antibody (IgY), protein sequence analysis Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 152-163 Volume: 60 Issue: 4 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/8129-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/8129-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201504-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:60:y:2015:i:4:id:8129-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: G.D. Kourousekos Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece Author-Name: E.K. Theodosiadou Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece Author-Name: A.G. Lymberopoulos Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Production, Alexander Technological Educational Institute, Thessaloniki, Greece Author-Name: S. Belibasaki Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Ηellenic Agricultural Organization Demeter, Thessaloniki, Greece Author-Name: C. Boscos Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece Title: Effect of prolonged aflatoxin B1 administration on blood serum oestradiol-17β and progesterone concentrations of goats during the anoestrus period -- Abstract: The effect of prolonged aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) administration on blood serum oestradiol-17β and progesterone concentrations in goats during the anoestrus period was investigated. Thirty Greek indigenous goats were used; 10 goats received, per os, 50 μg (treated group T50) and 10 goats received 100 μg (treated group T100) AFB1/day/head, respectively, for 31 days, while 10 goats served as controls (C). Blood samples were collected from each goat twice a week to determine serum oestradiol-17β and progesterone concentrations by radioimmunoassay. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a significant (P < 0.05) positive dependence of blood serum oestradiol-17β concentration over group (C = 0, T50 = 50, T100 = 100), in a dose-dependent manner, and a significant (P < 0.05) negative dependence over time (0-31 days, from the onset to the end of AFB1 administration). Linear regression analysis revealed a significant (P < 0.05) positive dependence of blood serum progesterone concentration over group (C = 0, T50 = 50, T100 = 100), in a dose-dependent manner. Pearson's correlation coefficient revealed a significant (P < 0.05) positive correlation between blood serum oestradiol-17β and progesterone concentration, but only in the goats of the control group. In conclusion, the prolonged administration of 100 or even of 50 μg AFB1/day/head during the anoestrus period, increased blood serum oestradiol-17β and progesterone concentrations of goats, in a dose-dependent manner, and in the treated groups disturbed the positive correlation between oestradiol-17β and progesterone concentration shown in the goats of the control group. Keywords: aflatoxins, mycotoxins, ovarian steroids, small ruminants, anoestrus Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 164-170 Volume: 60 Issue: 4 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/8130-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/8130-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201504-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:60:y:2015:i:4:id:8130-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: D. Fopp-Bayat Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Ichthyology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland Author-Name: D. Kaczmarczyk Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Environmental Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland Author-Name: M. Szczepkowski Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Sturgeon Fish Breeding, Inland Fisheries Institute, Pozezdrze, Poland Title: Genetic characteristics of Polish whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus maraena) broodstocks - recommendations for the conservation management Abstract: European whitefish Coregonus lavaretus maraena is an important fish species in Poland. Unfortunately, most of the whitefish populations are currently threatened with extinction, generally due to water pollution and overfishing. Because the whitefish populations have decreased drastically in Poland, a protection plan has been developed, which includes the creation of whitefish broodstocks in aquaculture conditions. During its implementation, genetic analysis of these valuable fish populations should be performed. This manuscript describes a study, in which microsatellite DNA analysis was applied to investigations into the genetic structure of two whitefish broodstocks maintained in Poland (Pomorska Bay and Galadus) and two natural populations from Lebsko Lake and Mamry Lake, northern Poland. Genetic differentiation was detected between the analyzed populations through the pairwise genetic differentiation index (FST). The DA measure of genetic distance between pairs of populations indicated that the shortest distance was between the Pomorska Bay broodstock and the Lebsko Lake population (0.062), while the longest one was between the Lebsko Lake and the Galadus populations (0.172). The present results reveal genetic characterization of important populations of whitefish in Poland and provide the first information about the genetic condition of these fish stocks. Keywords: aquaculture, genetic monitoring, population, genetic analysis, microsatellite DNA, whitefish Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 171-177 Volume: 60 Issue: 4 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/8131-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/8131-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201504-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:60:y:2015:i:4:id:8131-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: N.N. Zhao Author-Workplace-Name: College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, P.R. China Author-Name: S. Lin Author-Workplace-Name: College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, P.R. China Author-Name: Z.Q. Wang Author-Workplace-Name: College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, P.R. China Author-Name: T.J. Zhang Author-Workplace-Name: College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, P.R. China Title: VLDLR gene polymorphism associated with abdominal fat in Gaoyou domestic duck breed Abstract: VLDLR gene was chosen as a candidate gene influencing abdominal fat trait and body weight due to previous studies in human and mouse. Herein, the objectives of this study were to identify genetic polymorphisms of duck VLDLR gene, and to analyze association between combined haplotypes and abdominal fat trait in Gaoyou domestic duck. A total of 207 individuals, including the elite reservation farm Gaoyou duck (FG, n = 50), the newly formed Gaoyou duck (NG, n = 54), the reserve area Gaoyou duck (AG, n = 50), and Hybrid duck (HY, n = 53) were used for study. In this paper, one genomic fragment was sequenced in all ducks encompassing a region from exon 14 to exon 16. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and three insertions/deletions (indels) were identified. Based on the above eight SNPs, 11 haplotypes were identified. The H1 was the most common haplotype in AG, FG, and HY populations, which occurred at a frequency of more than 41%. Statistical analysis indicated that four combined haplotypes were associated with body weight at 10 weeks (BW10) (P < 0.05) and abdominal fat percentage (AFP) (P < 0.01) in Gaoyou FG and AG joint population. This result suggested that the VLDLR gene could be a potential gene influencing abdominal fat trait and body weight and may be used in marker-assisted selection (MAS). Keywords: AFP, SNP, haplotype, association analysis Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 178-184 Volume: 60 Issue: 4 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/8132-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/8132-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201504-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:60:y:2015:i:4:id:8132-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: A.Z.M. Salem Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Autonomous University of the State of Mexico, Mexico Author-Name: H. Alsersy Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt Author-Name: L.M. Camacho Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Science, Autonomous University of Guerrero, Altamirano, Mexico Author-Name: M.M. El-Adawy Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt Author-Name: M.M.Y. Elghandour Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Autonomous University of the State of Mexico, Mexico Author-Name: A.E. Kholif Author-Workplace-Name: Dairy Science Department, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt Author-Name: N. Rivero Author-Workplace-Name: Autonomous University of Hidalgo State, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Academic Area of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Tulancingo, Mexico Author-Name: M.U. Alonso Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Autonomous University of the State of Mexico, Mexico Author-Name: A. Zaragoza Author-Workplace-Name: Autonomous University of Hidalgo State, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Academic Area of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Tulancingo, Mexico Title: Feed intake, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen utilization, and ruminal fermentation activities in sheep fed Atriplex halimus ensiled with three developed enzyme cocktails Abstract: The effects of feeding Atriplex halimus treated with three developed enzyme cocktails to Barki sheep on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, N utilization, and ruminal fermentation were assessed. A. halimus was ensiled with two developed enzyme cocktails of ZAD1® (Z1) and/or ZAD2® (Z2) as liquid enzyme preparations (2 l/t) with 5% molasses and ensiled for 30 days. Three Barki rams (45 ± 3.2 kg) were used per treatment in five consecutive digestibility trials, while three ewes fitted with a permanent rumen fistula were used as source of inoculum for in vitro rumen fermentation trials. Barley grain (300 g/animal/day) was fed as energy supplement during the experimental trial for all diets. Five diets were composed as follows: A. halimus (leaves and stems) (D1); untreated A. halimus plus 4 g/animal/day ZADO® (Z) (enzyme preparation in powder form) (D2); A. halimus ensiled with Z1 and barley plus 4 g/animal/day Z (D3); A. halimus ensiled with Z2 and barley (D3) plus 4 g/animal/day Z (D4); A. halimus ensiled with a combination of Z1 and Z2 (1 : 1) and barley plus 4 g/head/day Z (D5). For all trials, ad libitum A. halimus was offered twice a day at 9:00 and 16:00 h while barley grain was given once a day at 10:00 h. Both D1 and D2 diets increased (P <0.001) dry matter intake of A. halimus and total dry matter intake. Addition of 4 g/day of Z to Z1 and/or Z2 ensiled diets improved (P < 0.0001) organic matter, crude protein, crude fibre, and neutral detergent fibre digestibilities. Diets D1 and D2 increased (P < 0.001) N intake, whereas the direct addition of Zto D3, D4, and D5 decreased (P < 0.001) N balance and N balance/N absorption ratio. Sheep fed on Z in addition to Z2 ensiled A. halimus showed higher improvements for total volatile fatty acids (P < 0.001), ammonia N (P = 0.007), and microbial protein production (P = 0.003). It can be concluded that feeding sheep on A. halimus ensiled with Z1 and Z2 with direct feeding of Zenzyme preparation improved intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance and utilization, as well as rumen fermentation. Keywords: direct-fed enzyme, exogenous enzymes, nutritive value, performance, saltbushes Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 185-194 Volume: 60 Issue: 4 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/8133-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/8133-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201504-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:60:y:2015:i:4:id:8133-CJAS