Polymorphisms in GnRHI and GnRHII genes and their association with egg production and egg quality traits in chicken

1. Two candidate genes, namely, Gonadotropin releasing hormone I (GnRHI) and Gonadotropin releasing hormone II (GnRHII) play pivotal roles in ovulation and egg production in chicken. The objective of this study was to explore polymorphism in these genes and to estimate the effects of polymorphism of these two genes on egg production and egg quality traits in White Leghorn laying hens.

2. Single strand conformation polymorphism followed by sequencing was performed to detect polymorphism in these genes.

3. The coding regions of the GnRHI and GnRHII genes were found to be polymorphic. In the GnRH1 gene, 12 haplotypes were determined, of which the h1 haplotype was predominant and the h5, h9 and h11 haplotypes were the least frequent ones. In the GnRHII gene, eight haplotypes were found, of which the h1 haplotype was the most frequent and the h6 was the least frequent haplotype in the White Leghorn population.

4. The haplogroups of GnRHI had a significant effect on body weight and egg production up to 64 weeks of age, yolk content, Haugh units and egg shell parameters. The h1h2 haplogroup of the GnRHI gene showed the highest egg production, with 211.0 ± 24.3 eggs up to 64 weeks of age, while the highest yolk content and Haugh unit was found in h3h10 haplogrouped birds. The haplogroups of GnRHII had a significant effect on age at sexual maturity (ASM) where the shortest ASM was found in the h1h4 birds (147.3 ± 5.9 d) and the longest ASM was observed in the h1h3 birds (160.6 ± 23.4 d).

5. It was concluded that GnRHI and GnRHII genes are polymorphic and have a significant effect on body weight, egg production and egg quality traits in White Leghorn laying hens.     

Plasma growth hormone concentrations in female yak (Poephagus grunniens L.) of different ages:Relations with age and body weight

The role of growth hormone (GH) in postnatal growth is well established. Its basal level and relation to growth performance in different age group yaks has not been characterized until now. To estimate the normal blood GH level in yaks, a total of eighty five female yaks were divided in to thirteen age groups. BW of all animals was recorded on two consecutive days per week and average of weekly BW was considered for growth rate calculation. Blood samples collected twice weekly for four consecutive weeks were assayed for GH by a direct, simple and highly sensitive enzyme immunoassay (EIA) on microtitre plates using the biotin–streptavidin amplification system and the second antibody coating technique developed for the first time in this species. The EIA was carried out directly in 100 μL of yak plasma. The sensitivity of EIA procedure was 20 pg/well GH, which corresponds to 0.2 ng/mL plasma For the biological validation of assay, 2 mature yaks were administered (10 μg, iv) with a synthetic analogue of GHRH and blood samples were collected at 15-min interval using indwelling jugular catheter beginning 2 h prior to GHRH injection till 8 h thereafter. In both the animals, sharp increases in GH concentrations were recorded 75 min post GHRH administration, which confirms the biological validation of the EIA. It was found that mean GH among the age groups differ (p < 0.05). With increasing age and BW, GH level decreased. The age groups with higher plasma GH showed higher growth rates (r = 0.73). In conclusion, a highly sensitive enzymeimmunoassay procedure has been developed for the first time to determine plasma GH levels in bovine (yak) plasma. A close relationship of plasma GH concentration with age, BW and growth rates was found in yaks.     

Genotypic characterisation of Indian cattle, buffalo and sheep isolates of Echinococcus granulosus

Twelve isolates of Echinococcus granulosus, collected from domestic animals, including cattle, buffalo and sheep were analysed for DNA nucleotide sequence variation within mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (coxI), NADH dehydrogenase subunit I (nadI) and internal transcribed spacer gene I (ITS1). After analysis of sequence information this was found that the fragment size of ITS1 of buffalo isolate was more in comparison to cattle and sheep isolates. Based on the nadI genotype this was found that Indian cattle, buffalo and sheep isolates could be grouped into E. granulosus sensu stricto. Based on coxI genotype two sheep isolates and one buffalo isolate were homologous to G2 genotype. Rests of the isolates were microvariants of G2 genotype. Presence of G2 genotype in buffalo is the first report of this genotype from this host.     

DNA polymorphism of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 gene and its association with birth weight and body weight in cattle

Insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein‐3 (IGFBP‐3) is a protein that binds the majority of insulin‐like growth factors in circulation for regulation of its action on growth and metabolism of the animals. Animals belonging to Hariana, Holstein‐Friesian (HF) and their crossbreds (HF × Hariana) were studied using polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism and nucleotide sequencing of the IGFBP‐3 gene. A 651‐bp fragment of the IGFBP‐3 gene spanning over a part of exon 2, complete intron 2, exon 3 and a part of intron 3 was amplified and digested with HaeIII restriction enzyme. Three patterns of restriction fragments were observed in HF and crossbred cattle revealing polymorphism in both the populations. The frequency of AA, AB and BB genotypes was 0.65, 0.32 and 0.03 in crossbreds and 0.29, 0.65 and 0.06 in HF respectively. The allelic frequency of the A and B allele was 0.81 and 0.19 in crossbreds and 0.62 and 0.38 in HF cattle respectively. Only one restriction pattern (AA genotype) was observed in all the animals of Hariana breed of Bos indicus showing the absence of polymorphism. Nucleotide sequencing revealed a C → A mutation in the intron 2 region of the IGFBP‐3 gene as the cause of the polymorphism. Least squares analysis revealed a significant effect (p < 0.05) of genotypes on birth weight and body weight (weight at 12, 18 and 24 months of age) of the animals. Animals of AB genotype showed higher birth weight and body weight than the animals possessing AA genotype.     

Polymorphism and expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) gene and its association with growth traits in chicken

1. The objectives of the study were to detect polymorphism in the coding region of the IGF1 gene, explore the expression profile and estimate association with growth traits in indigenous and exotic chickens.

2. A total of 12 haplotypes were found in Cornish, control layer and Aseel breeds of chicken in which the h1 haplotype was most frequent.

3. Nucleotide substitutions among haplotypes were found at 21 positions in the IGF1 gene in which 4 substitutions resulted in non-synonymous mutations in the receptor binding domain of the IGF1 protein.

4. The haplogroup showed a significant effect on body weight at 24 and 42 d of age in the control layer line, body weight at 42 d and daily weight gain between 29 and 42 d in the control broiler line, daily weight gain between 29 and 42 d in Cornish, and body weights at 42 d as well as daily weight gain between 29 and 42 d in Aseel birds.

5. IGF1 expression varied among the breeds during embryonic and post-hatch periods. The expression among the haplogroups varied in different chicken tissues. The effect of haplogroup on myofibre number in pectoral muscle was non-significant, although there was significant variation in numbers between d 1 and d 42, and between broiler and layer lines.

6. It was concluded that the coding region of the IGF1 gene was polymorphic, expressed differentially during the pre-hatch and post-hatch periods, and haplogroups showed significant association with growth traits in chicken.     

Ayurvedic processed seeds of nux-vomica: Neuropharmacological and chemical evaluation

The effect of detoxification on Strychnos nux-vomica seeds by traditional processing with aloe and ginger juices (B), by frying in cow ghee (C), and by boiling in cow milk (D) was investigated. The ethanolic extracts of these samples were subjected to spontaneous motor activity (SMA), pentobarbitone-induced hypnosis, PTZ induced convulsions, diazepam-assisted protection, and morphine-induced catalepsy. All samples reduced SMA and inhibited catalepsy. The seeds processed in milk (D) showed the lowest strychnine content in the cotyledons, exhibited marked inhibition of PTZ induced convulsions and maximal potentiation of hypnosis, and were the safest (LD₅₀).     

Physicochemical Properties Related to Quality of Rice Noodles

Eleven rice genotypes with diverse Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA) pasting characteristics were evaluated for their physicochemical and gel textural characteristics relative to their suitability for making rice noodles. Apparent amylose content (AC) was highly correlated with swelling power (r = -0.65, P < 0.05), flour swelling volume (FSV) (r = -0.67, P < 0.05), noodle hardness (r = 0.74, P < 0.01), gumminess (r = 0.82, P < 0.01), chewiness (r = 0.74, P < 0.01), and tensile strength (r = 0.72, P < 0.05). Solubility showed an inverse relationship with the pasting parameters and noodle rehydration, and a positive relationship with cooking loss, noodle hardness, and gumminess. FSV and most of the pasting parameters were negatively correlated with noodle hardness. RVA parameters and textural parameters of gels formed in the RVA canister were well correlated with actual noodle texture and may, therefore, be used for predicting rice noodle quality during early screening of genotypes in breeding programs.     

Variation in spawning responses, egg and larvae productions from induced rohu (Labeo rohita) during pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons: Relationship with hormonal changes and oocyte responsiveness during final maturation

Early induced spawning in captive rohu (Labeo rohita) often encounters with reduced spawning performances and devaluation of final product. The present study attempted to gain insight into the problems associated with poor performance of rohu during pre-monsoon spawning. A combination of sGnRHa and domperidone was used to induce final oocyte maturation (FOM) and ovulation in rohu during early (pre-monsoon, PM) and normal (monsoon, MN) spawning. The spawning performance parameters such as, spawning response, production and quality of egg and larvae showed significantly lower values (p < 0.05) in PM, when compared with MN spawning. The egg and spawn productions were recorded as 2.6 ± 0.05 and 2.41 ± 0.05 during the MN season, which were reduced by almost 50% in the PM season. Moreover the quality of egg and hatchling was devaluated significantly (p < 0.05) and exhibited higher percentage of mortality and abnormality in PM than those recorded in the MN season. The plasma concentration of carp gonadotropin (cGtH), 17β-estradiol (E) and 17α20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DP) in relation to progress of FOM and ovulation at different seasons exhibited marked variation in hormonal profiles particularly in E and DP of PM fish. Higher initial plasma E (3.8 ± 0.3) and a distinct E peak clearly indicated the lack of transition from vitellogenic to post-vitellogenic stages that prevailed in PM rohu. Delayed DP and cGtH surge during FOM and ovulation resulted in longer latency period in spite of higher water temperature (31.5 °C) that prevailed during the PM period. In-vitro study on oocyte maturational competence (OMC) clearly depicted the lack of maturational competence in ovarian follicles during PM than MN in rohu. However priming the fish with purified carp gonadotropin (PCG) enhanced the acquisition of OMC in PM rohu in such an extent, that no marked seasonal differences (p > 0.05) in OMC were remained further, when compared with MN follicles. The PCG mediated acquisition of maturational competence was found to be dependent fully on new mRNA and protein synthesis in PM fish. The present study clearly demonstrated that the oocytes' unresponsiveness to hormonal induction was mainly responsible for reduced spawning performance in PM rohu, which could be ameliorated through PCG priming to achieve better spawning response in rohu during the pre-monsoon period. Thereby, the rohu fry production could be initiated successfully as early as May, allowing public and private hatcheries to produce larger age-0 rohu fingerlings ensuring reliable steady source of stocking materials for grow-out system earlier in the season.     

Influence of Nitrogen Fertilizer Treatments on Spring Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Flour Characteristics and Effect on Fresh and Frozen Dough Quality

Growers are targeting hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (HRSW) for frozen dough end uses. Consequently, it is important to determine whether increasing nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates and grain protein content (GPC) improve frozen dough quality. Four HRSW cultivars were grown in low‐N soils at three locations over two years in North Dakota and fertilized with N rates of 0 kg/ha, 67.2 kg/ha, and 134.4 kg/ha. End use characteristics were analyzed using farinograph, extensigraph, and baking tests. Fresh and frozen doughs were analyzed to determine the effects of N treatments on frozen storage. A cultivar × N treatment interaction existed for extensigram curve area of fresh dough. A significant increase in GPC existed between the 0 and 67.2 kg/ha N treatments. Farinograph water absorption, arrival times, and peak times increased significantly at the 67.2 kg/ha N treatment. Bread loaf volume of fresh dough increased significantly with all treatments, while loaf volume of frozen dough increased significantly only at the 67.2 kg/ha N treatment. Therefore, aside from fresh dough loaf volume, there appears to be no improvement in frozen dough quality with the use of higher than typical N application.