Genetic variability following selection for scrapie resistance in six autochthonous sheep breeds in the province of Bolzano (northern Italy)

Scrapie is an ovine transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, and its susceptibility is associated with polymorphisms in the prion protein gene (PRNP). Genetic selection is currently the most effective mean for eradication of the susceptible VRQ allele in favour of resistant ARR allele. Maintenance of genetic diversity should be one of the major objectives in breeding programmes, especially in endangered breeds, and genetic information are an excellent alternative to pedigree data where these information are missing. The aim of our study was to determine changes of genetic variability in six native sheep breeds from autonomous province of Bolzano, northern Italy, following simulation of scrapie selection scenarios. A total of 684 rams were investigated for PRNP polymorphisms and for 10 microsatellite loci to estimate genetic variability. Across all loci, a total of 163 alleles were detected with a mean of 10.4 alleles per locus. Average observed (Ho) and unbiased expected (uHe) heterozygosity overall loci were 0.74 and 0.78, respectively, showing a statistically significant deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) in all breeds. This heterozygosity deficit was confirmed by a positive fixation index (Fis), determining a moderate inbreeding in each breed. Simulating a soft selection, where only rams having at least a VRQ allele should be excluded from reproduction, Ho, uHe and Fis values remained almost unchanged, indicating that genetic variability should not be affected by the removal of these individuals. With a mild selection scenario, considering only rams with at least one ARR allele, we observed a decrease in the mean alleles per breed (8.9) and the maintenance of heterozygosity deficiency, except for two breeds, where it was any longer significant. These results showed that selection strategies allowing use of heterozygous as well homozygous ARR rams might be the right compromise to improve resistance to scrapie and to do not dramatically affect genetic variability of these breeds.     

Genetic parameters for fertility traits in Nellore bulls

Nellore is the main cattle breed used in Brazil, being the largest commercial herd in the world. Beyond the importance of male reproductive efficiency for farm profit, the use of reproductive techniques, mainly artificial insemination, turns the evaluation of male reproductive traits even more important. Estimation of genetic parameters increases the knowledge on traits variances and allows envisaging the possibility of the inclusion of new traits as selection criterion. Genetic parameters for fifteen traits that can be classified as testicular biometry or physical and morphological semen traits were estimated for a Nellore bull population ranging from 18 to 36 months. Single-trait and bi-trait animal models were used for (co)variance components estimation. The contemporary group was considered as fixed effect and age at measurement as covariable. Scrotal circumference presented heritability of 0.47 ± 0.12. This value is similar to the heritabilities found for all testicular biometry traits (0.34–0.48). Sperm progressive motility, which has a direct effect on bull fertility, presented low heritability (0.07 ± 0.08). Major and total sperm defects presented moderate to high heritabilities (0.49 ± 0.18 and 0.39 ± 0.15, respectively), indicating that great genetic gain can be obtained through selection against sperm defects. High and positive genetic correlations were observed among testicular biometry traits, which also presented favourable genetic correlations with physical and morphological traits of the semen with magnitude ranging from high to low. Scrotal circumference presented moderate to high and favourable genetic correlations with sperm progressive motility, sperm turbulence, major sperm defects and total sperm defects. Thus, the selection for scrotal circumference results in favourable correlated genetic response for semen quality. The results show that the use of scrotal circumference as reference trait for bull fertility is appropriate, since it presents high heritability and favourable genetic correlation with semen quality.     

Effects of dobutamine on cardiovascular function and oxygen delivery in standing horses

Dobutamine is routinely used to improve cardiovascular function in anaesthetized horses. However, dobutamine in conscious horses is insufficiently investigated. Ten research horses that were already instrumented for a preceding trial were included into the study. Cardiovascular variables were recorded and blood samples taken after instrumentation (Baseline), before starting dobutamine and after 10 min of dobutamine infusion (2 µg kg⁻¹ min⁻¹). A significant increase in systemic blood pressure, mean pulmonary artery pressure and right atrial pressure, and a decrease in heart rate were observed with dobutamine compared with baseline measurements. Arterial and mixed venous haemoglobin and oxygen content, as well as mixed venous partial pressure of oxygen increased. No significant changes in cardiac output, stroke volume, systemic vascular resistance, arterial partial pressure of oxygen, or oxygen consumption, delivery and extraction ratio were detected. Concluding, dobutamine increased systemic blood pressure without detectable changes in stroke volume, cardiac output or systemic vascular resistance in conscious horses.     

YELLOW PASSION FRUIT PLANT NUTRITIONAL DIAGNOSIS AT DIFFERENT PHENOLOGICAL STAGES BY THE DIAGNOSIS AND RECOMMENDATION INTEGRATED SYSTEM METHOD

This work was performed in the Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, with the objective to evaluate the nutritional status of yellow passion fruit plants along different phenological stages, using the DRIS method. Fifty-four passion fruit cultivated areas with an annual yield productivity ranging from 6.95 to 33.8 t ha^?1 year^?1 and average productivity of 16.9 t ha^?1 year^?1 were selected in the region. The contents of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), chlorine (Cl), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and boron (B) were evaluated. The reference standards were established (mean and variation coefficient) for the values of the nutrient concentration ratios, two by two, on samples from high yield productivity plantations and analyzed by the DRIS index of nutrients for the medium and low yield productivity areas. The established standards differed according with the phenological stage of the culture. In a general way, the mean content of the evaluated nutrients did not differed between the two productivity levels into each phonological stage. There was a difference for the Nutritional Limitation Order between different phenological stages of yellow passion fruit plants. The most negative DRIS indexes and the highest absolute values for the Average Nutritional Balance on yellow passion fruit plants in the region, were found for potassium in May, phosphorus in October and iron in January.     

Chitosan induces delayed grapevine defense mechanisms and protects grapevine against Botrytis cinerea

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - In the present study, a commercial chitosan soluble in acid solution and obtained from shrimp shell waste, with a molecular weight of 173 kDa and...     

Molecular phylogeny and morphological characterization of the aetiological agent of sour rot on fruits and vegetables in Brazil

In Brazil, sour rot is an important postharvest disease on fruits and vegetables. Geotrichum candidum (synonym Galactomyces candidus) has been reported as the main species causing this disease. However, the identity of the causal agent is still uncertain. This research aimed to determine the identity of 165 fungal isolates associated with sour rot obtained from fruits and vegetables in Brazil, and to evaluate the effect of different temperatures on the incidence of sour rot on artificially inoculated tomato fruits. Based on the phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences from the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and morphological analyses, 129 samples belonged to Galactomyces candidus, 15 to G. candidum var. citri-aurantii, 6 to G. phurueaense, 2 to Gal. pseudocandidus, 1 to Hyphopichia burtonii, 1 to H. khmerensis, 3 to Saccharomycopsis crataegensis, 1 to S. vini, 1 to Magnusiomyces tetrasperma, 1 to Trichosporon coremiiforme, and 1 to Zygoascus meyerae. Two new species were found, namely, Geotrichum solani (on potato) and Geotrichum spondiadis (on red mombin). All isolates were pathogenic when inoculated on healthy tomato fruits, including the new species of Geotrichum, which were also inoculated into their respective hosts, that is, potatoes and red mombins. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report the presence of five other genera besides Geotrichum associated with sour rot on fruits and vegetables in Brazil, which demonstrates the diversity of fungi and yeasts associated with this disease.