A retrospective study on the prevalence of primary cataracts in two pedigrees from the German population of English Cocker Spaniels

Objective  Two pedigrees from the German English Cocker Spaniel population are presented to illustrate the familial occurrence of primary cataract (CAT) in single- and multicolored English Cocker Spaniels. The aim was to characterize similarities and differences in the prevalence and formation of CAT in these separately bred color variants of English Cocker Spaniels.
Materials  The study was based on the veterinary records for presumed inherited eye diseases of 1232 English Cocker Spaniels which were provided by the German panel of the European Eye Scheme for diagnosis of inherited eye diseases in animals (DOK, < http://www.dok-vet.de >). Data included information on 615 single-colored and 617 multicolored English Cocker Spaniels.
Results  CAT was diagnosed in 92 (14.96%) of the single-colored and 34 (5.51%) of the multicolored English Cocker Spaniels. The pedigree of the single-colored English Cocker Spaniels included 40 ophthalmologically examined dogs with 18 unaffected and 22 affected dogs. The pedigree of the multicolored English Cocker Spaniels contained 16 ophthalmologically examined dogs with 11 unaffected and five affected dogs.
Conclusions  In both color variants of the English Cocker Spaniels different forms of primary CAT with respect to location within the lens occurred among close relatives. Appearance of CAT was very heterogeneous without obvious sex differences. The sample pedigrees do not support the assumption of familial segregation of specific forms of primary CAT in English Cocker Spaniels.     

Quantitative genotyping to estimate genetic contributions to pooled samples and genetic merit of the contributing entities

Abstract

Genotyping required to track family membership in aquaculture breeding programs is reduced dramatically by estimating the contributions of different families to pooled samples of tissue. This approach is relevant to widely differing scenarios involving animals, plants, and microbes. For the family membership scenario, SNP markers are genotyped for the contributing families' parents, and quantitatively genotyped to estimate allele frequencies within the mixed-family pooled tissue. Results are used to infer proportional contributions of the different families to the pool. Different computational strategies were tested for bias and sampling error. A correlation of 99% between estimated and true genetic contributions was achieved using 20 (50) randomly chosen SNPs at a standard error of allele frequency estimates of 0.01 (0.02). Optimal grouping of families and choice of markers further increases performance markedly. Trait means and distributions of families can be quite accurately estimated by tissue sampling across the range of trait values.     

Using detection dogs and genetic analyses of scat to expand knowledge and assist felid conservation in Misiones,Argentina

Many carnivores require large ranges to meet their ecological and energetic needs; however, anthropogenic changes threaten species and their habitats. Camera traps have been used to effectively collect data on carnivores in a variety of habitat types; however, a single survey effort is typically limited to species that have similar body size, habitat use and movement patterns, and individual identification of animals is not always possible. We evaluated whether scat detection dogs could effectively survey for 4 wide‐ranging felids that vary in these characteristics: jaguars (Panthera onca), pumas (Puma concolor), ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) and oncillas (Leopardus tigrinus). From June to October 2009 and May to August 2011, a detection dog‐handler team detected 588 scats, from which 176 unique genotypes were detected. We assigned sex to 84.7% of the genotyped scats and identified 55 individuals multiple times. The effectiveness of these noninvasive techniques (detection dogs and genetic analyses of scat) not only opens the door for additional studies in areas that were previously difficult or impossible with standard survey techniques, but also provides conservationists with a set of tools that overcome some of the limitations associated with the use of camera traps alone.     

Recent breeding history of dog breeds in Sweden: modest rates of inbreeding,extensive loss of genetic diversity and lack of correlation between inbreeding and health

One problem in modern dogs is a high occurrence of physical diseases, defects and disorders. Many breeds exhibit physical problems that affect individual dogs throughout life. A potential cause of these problems is inbreeding that is known to reduce the viability of individuals. We investigated the possible correlation between recent inbreeding and health problems in dogs and used studbook data from 26 breeds provided by the Swedish Kennel Club for this purpose. The pedigrees date back to the mid‐20th century and comprise 5–10 generations and 1 000–50 000 individuals per pedigree over our study period of 1980–2010. We compared levels of inbreeding and loss of genetic variation measured in relation to the number of founding animals during this period in the investigated dog breeds that we classified as ‘healthy’ (11 breeds) or ‘unhealthy’ (15) based on statistics on the extent of veterinary care obtained from Sweden's four largest insurance companies for pets. We found extensive loss of genetic variation and moderate levels of recent inbreeding in all breeds examined, but no strong indication of a difference in these parameters between healthy versus unhealthy breeds over this period. Thus, recent breeding history with respect to rate of inbreeding does not appear to be a main cause of poor health in the investigated dog breeds in Sweden. We identified both strengths and weaknesses of the dog pedigree data important to consider in future work of monitoring and conserving genetic diversity of dog breeds.     

Mitochondrial DNA D‐loop haplogroup contributions to the genetic diversity of East European domestic chickens from Russia

To elucidate geographical and historical aspects of chicken dispersal across Eastern Europe, we analysed the complete mitochondrial DNA D‐loop sequence of 86 representatives from chicken breeds traditionally raised in the territory of the East European Plain (Orloff, Pavlov, Russian White, Yurlov Crower, Uzbek Game and Naked Neck). From the 1231–1232 bp D‐loop sequence, 35 variable sites that defined 22 haplotypes were identified in modern chicken. All populations, except Uzbek Game, exhibited high values of haplotype and nucleotide diversity suggesting a wide variation in maternal diversity. Inclusion of mtDNA sequences from other European and Asian countries revealed representatives from this study belonging to haplogroups A, E1 and C1. We also assessed fossil chicken material dated to the 9th–18th century from archaeological sites in Northern and Eastern Europe. Three haplotypes found in the fossil specimens belonged to haplogroup E1, while one sample dated to the 18th century was assigned to the C1 haplogroup. This is the first report of the occurrence of the C1 haplogroup in European chicken populations prior to the 20th century based on the fossil material. These results provide evidence for a relatively recent introduction of all haplotypes other than E1 into the East European chicken gene pool with the significant impact of the C1 haplogroup mainly distributed in Southern China.     

Evaluation of reproductive performance and genetic variation in bulls of the Polish White‐Backed breed

The aim of the study was to evaluate genetic variation, reproductive performance and the degree of relationship of White‐Backed bulls entered in the breed registry and approved for breeding. The study included 32 bulls of the White‐Backed (WB ) breed with an entry in the breed registry and used for breeding in the years 2003–2015. Eleven microsatellite DNA sequences (TGLA 222, BM 2113, TGLA 53, ETH 10, SPS 115, TGLA 126, TGLA 122, INRA 23, ETH 3, ETH 225 and BM 1824) were used to analyse variation in the WB bulls. The bulls most often used for breeding were Chilon (1,073 doses), Mak (939 doses) and Jaguar (858 doses). The bulls Mak, Chilon and Jak had the greatest influence on the active population of White‐Backed cattle, with the most daughters. In the analysed population of White‐Backed bulls, a total of 79 different alleles were identified, with a mean 7.27 per locus. The analysed pool of microsatellite loci was characterized by high values for PIC , H _O and H _E (>0.6), and the entire population was in genetic equilibrium. The estimated level of inbreeding within the population ranged from ?0.2277 (ETH 225) to 0.0775 (SPS 115), with a mean value of ?0.0587.     

Differences in genetic structure assessed using Y‐chromosome and mitochondrial DNA markers do not shape the contributions to diversity in African sires

Up to 173 African sires belonging to 11 different subpopulations representative of four cattle groups were analysed for six Y‐specific microsatellite loci and a mitochondrial DNA fragment. Differences in Y‐chromosome and mtDNA haplotype structuring were assessed. In addition, the effect of such structuring on contributions to total genetic diversity was assessed. Thirty‐five Y‐chromosome and 71 mtDNA haplotypes were identified. Most Y‐chromosomes analysed (73.4%) were of zebu origin (11 haplotypes). Twenty‐two Y‐haplotypes (44 samples) belonged to the African taurine subfamily Y2a. All mtDNA haplotypes belonged to the “African” taurine T1 haplogroup with 16 samples and nine haplotypes belonging to a recently identified subhaplogroup (T1e). Median‐joining networks showed that Y‐chromosome phylogenies were highly reticulated with clear separation between zebu and taurine clusters. Mitochondrial haplotypes showed a clear star‐like shape with small number of mutations separating haplotypes. Mitochondrial‐based F_ST‐statistics computed between cattle groups tended to be statistically non‐significant (p > .05). Most F_ST values computed among groups and subpopulations using Y‐chromosome markers were statistically significant. AMOVA confirmed that divergence between cattle groups was only significant for Y‐chromosome markers (Φ_CT = 0.209). At the mitochondrial level, African sires resembled an undifferentiated population with individuals explaining 94.3% of the total variance. Whatever the markers considered, the highest contributions to total Nei's gene diversity and allelic richness were found in West African cattle. Genetic structuring had no effect on patterns of contributions to diversity.     

Further analysis of VNTR and MIRU in the genome of Mycobacterium avium complex, and application to molecular epidemiology of isolates from South America

All members of Mycobacterium avium complex are serious pathogens for humans and animals. The aim of this study was to look for and analyze VNTR-MIRU loci in the genome of M. avium complex and their preliminary application to test these isolates. In the present study, we identified 22 novel VNTR-MIRU by using Tandem Repeat software: five with a structure similar to MIRU and 17 without MIRU structure; these latter were designated as VNTR. Most VNTR were located within predicted coding regions. Most MIRU were intercistronic with their extremities overlapping the termination and initiation codons of their flanking genes. Some of these VNTR-MIRU exhibited polymorphism among M. avium complex isolates due to insertion or deletion of whole repeats and/or of nucleotide sequence degeneration. We determined the variability of six VNTR-MIRU loci in 21 M. avium subsp. hominissuis and 26 M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis. The analysis identified 15 different alleles with the combination of six VNTR-MIRU in the 21 M. avium subsp. hominissuis with 16 different IS1245 RFLP and four different profiles with PCR-restriction analysis of hsp65 (PRA). However, neither the six VNTR-MIRU loci nor the PRA were able to distinguish M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis isolates with five different IS900 RFLP profiles. In conclusion, some of the VNTR-MIRU loci identified were useful to differentiate M. avium subsp. hominissuis but not M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis isolates here included. However, we observed polymorphism in VNTR-MIRU loci between M. avium subsp. hominissuis and M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis genomes, which could be important in the understanding of the obvious differences in the pathogenic effects of these mycobacteria.     

Noninvasive genetics provides insights into the population size and genetic diversity of an Amur tiger population in China

Understanding population size and genetic diversity is critical for effective conservation of endangered species. The Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) is the largest felid and a flagship species for wildlife conservation. Due to habitat loss and human activities, available habitat and population size are continuously shrinking. However, little is known about the true population size and genetic diversity of wild tiger populations in China. In this study, we collected 55 fecal samples and 1 hair sample to investigate the population size and genetic diversity of wild Amur tigers in Hunchun National Nature Reserve, Jilin Province, China. From the samples, we determined that 23 fecal samples and 1 hair sample were from 7 Amur tigers: 2 males, 4 females and 1 individual of unknown sex. Interestingly, 2 fecal samples that were presumed to be from tigers were from Amur leopards, highlighting the significant advantages of noninvasive genetics over traditional methods in studying rare and elusive animals. Analyses from this sample suggested that the genetic diversity of wild Amur tigers is much lower than that of Bengal tigers, consistent with previous findings. Furthermore, the genetic diversity of this Hunchun population in China was lower than that of the adjoining subpopulation in southwest Primorye Russia, likely due to sampling bias. Considering the small population size and relatively low genetic diversity, it is urgent to protect this endangered local subpopulation in China.     

Toxoplasmosis in sheep III. Further evaluation of the ability of a live Toxoplasma gondii vaccine to prevent lamb losses and reduce congenital infection following experimental oral challenge

The aim of this study was to compare the ability of a live incomplete strain (Strain 48) and a live complete strain (Strain 89) of Toxoplasma gondii to protect against abortion and congenital infection following an oral challenge of T. gondii oocysts. Sixty-nine two-tooth ewes were immunised pre-tupping with live Strain 48 of T. gondii tachyzoites and seventy ewes were immunised with Strain 89. Eighty-two serologically negative ewes served as controls. At mid-pregnancy half of the ewes were challenged orally with T. gondii oocysts (2×10⁵/ewe).

The ewes vaccinated with Strain 48 were significantly (p<0.05) protected against the effects of experimental challenge and the rate of congenital infection was also significantly (p<0.15) reduced. The ewes vaccinated with Strain 89 were also significantly (p<0.05) protected.

The serological response to challenge as measured by both the Dye test and the Indirect Haemagglutination test varied considerably between the two vaccinated groups.     

Toxoplasmosis in sheep III. Further evaluation of the ability of a live Toxoplasma gondii vaccine to prevent lamb losses and reduce congenital infection following experimental oral challenge

The aim of this study was to compare the ability of a live incomplete strain (Strain 48) and a live complete strain (Strain 89) of Toxoplasma gondii to protect against abortion and congenital infection following an oral challenge of T. gondii oocysts. Sixty-nine two-tooth ewes were immunised pre-tupping with live Strain 48 of T. gondii tachyzoites and seventy ewes were immunised with Strain 89. Eighty-two serologically negative ewes served as controls. At mid-pregnancy half of the ewes were challenged orally with T. gondii oocysts (2x10(5)/ewe). The ewes vaccinated with Strain 48 were significantly (p<0.05) protected against the effects of experimental challenge and the rate of congenital infection was also significantly (p<0.15) reduced. The ewes vaccinated with Strain 89 were also significantly (p<0.05) protected. The serological response to challenge as measured by both the Dye test and the Indirect Haemagglutination test varied considerably between the two vaccinated groups.     

荻和南荻杂交种F1群体主要农艺性状的杂种优势、遗传及相关性分析

利用主要农艺性状上具有显著差异的荻和南荻为亲本,杂交得到种间杂交种F₁群体(232个单株)为试验材料,对荻和南荻杂交种茎节数、叶片长、叶宽、主茎长、花茎长、花序长、株高、基部茎径、平均单分蘖干重、最大分蘖干重、分蘖数和单株重等12个主要农艺性状的杂种优势进行了度量,采用主基因+多基因混合遗传模型对F₁杂交群体的12个主要农艺性状进行遗传和相关性分析。结果表明,在F₁分离群体中12个主要农艺性状呈连续的、单峰、偏态分布,说明这些性状为多基因控制的数量性状。除基部茎径外的其他11个农艺性状都有较大的中亲优势,其中单株重、平均单分蘖干重、花序长、主茎长、株高、最大分蘖干重具有显著的超高亲优势,说明杂种优势可以作为荻和南荻育种的主要方法。混合遗传分析表明,花茎长、最大茎重能检测到1对主基因,叶片宽、主茎长、株高、分蘖数、单茎均重、单株重能检测到2对主基因的存在,主基因遗传率大小顺序为叶片宽(87.76%)>单株重(81.48%)>单茎均重(65.12%)>分蘖数(59.20%)>主茎长(49.87%)>株高(48.01%)>花茎长(47.75%)>分蘖最大茎重(37.19%)。产量相关性状中的单株重、单茎均重和分蘖数具有较高的主基因遗传率,适合于早期世代选择。这12个农艺性状间存在一定的相关性,多数性状间的相关性为极显著的正相关,其中单株重与分蘖数、单茎均重、主茎长和株高的相关系数最大,在育种实践中可以利用相关性状进行间接选择。