绵羊毛色相关基因MC1R和ASIP的研究进展

皮肤和毛囊中黑色素细胞产生的真黑素和褐黑素的分布和数量比例决定着哺乳动物的毛色,色素表型在黑色素合成的不同阶段受多个基因的调控。MC1R基因和ASIP基因是影响黑色素合成的两个重要基因,在黑色素合成和毛色调控过程中起关键作用。MC1R基因的表达产生真黑素,而ASIP基因则通过负调控机制增加褐黑素的生成。文章对近年来与绵羊毛色性状紧密相关的MC1R基因和ASIP基因的研究进展进行综述,旨在增进对绵羊毛色形成机理的了解,为绵羊育种与生产提供理论参考。     

哺乳动物毛色色素Agouti基因位点的研究进展

哺乳动物毛色的形成是由毛囊黑色素细胞产生的真黑素和棕黑素之间的转换而引起的 ,控制哺乳动物毛色的基因位点很多 ,且以错综复杂的方式互相作用。鼠灰色 (Agouti)基因是其中之一 ,结构复杂 ,其位点不是一个单一的基因位点 ,而是一个含有许多等位基因的位点。Agouti基因的表达会引起棕黑素的产生 ,而Agouti不表达时则会引起真黑素的表达 ,从而调节色素合成的真黑素和棕黑素之间的转换。Agouti在鼠皮肤内表达 ,通过对抗黑色素细胞内的黑色素细胞刺激激素受体 (MC1 R)信号来调节毛色色素。Agouti基因位点会发生许多突变 ,一些突变不仅影响毛色 ,而且干扰许多不同的生物学过程。本文就 Agouti基因位点的研究进展进行了综述     

TYR基因及其与动物毛色关系的研究进展

毛色是毛皮动物重要的品种特征之一,是一种易于观察的表型性状。黑色素对动物毛色的形成起至关重要的作用。在动物体内酪氨酸在酪氨酸酶(TYR)的催化作用下,经由DOPA、多巴醌、吲哚醌等形式最后生成黑色素。动物毛色的形成主要与黑色素细胞中合成的两种色素(真黑色素、褐黑色素)比例有关。黑色素细胞中色素的合成受多个基因和信号通路调控。动物毛色之所以具有多样性,也是由于这些基因调控所致。在众多的调控基因中,其中目前研究较多的主要有黑素皮质素受体1(MC1R)、剌鼠信号蛋白基因(ASIP)、TYR家族(TYR、TYRP1、TYRP2)等,各基因间相互作用形成不同的毛色。文章简要介绍黑色素形成的机理及概况,重点对TYR基因结构和功能及其在多种动物毛色方面的研究现状进行综述,以便为动物毛色选育提供理论依据。     

不同毛色绵羊皮肤组织中MC1R、Agouti及TYR基因差异表达研究

本研究旨在探究特定杂交模式下产生全黑被毛绵羊TYR、MC1R及Agouti基因互作调控毛色的机制。随机选取黑色和白色被毛绵羊各4只,采集皮肤组织,利用qRT-PCR技术测定MC1R、Agouti及TYR基因mRNA在不同毛色绵羊皮肤中的表达量。结果显示:MC1R、Agouti及TYR基因在不同毛色绵羊皮肤中均有表达,其中TYR基因mRNA在黑色绵羊皮肤中的表达量极显著高于白色绵羊皮肤(P<0.01),MC1R基因mRNA在黑色绵羊皮肤中的表达量高于白色绵羊皮肤,但差异不显著,Agouti基因mRNA在黑色绵羊皮肤中的表达量显著低于白色绵羊皮肤(P<0.05)。综上,该杂交模式下产生的黑色绵羊可能是由于Agouti基因表达量低而使α-MSH诱导信号通路处于激活状态,上调了TYR基因表达量,导致真黑素含量上升,出现黑色毛色性状。     

哺乳动物毛色形成研究进展

毛色是一种可利用的遗传标记,在确定杂交组合和品种纯度以及评价产品质量等方面有一定的用途,哺乳动物毛色是由黑色素细胞产生的真黑素和棕黑素之间的转换而形成的,控制哺乳动物毛色色素的基因很多,目前对哺乳动物毛色色素遗传的研究主要集中于人、鼠和猪.文章主要对哺乳动物黑色素和毛色的形成及其几个重要的遗传基因进行综述.     

贵州白水牛ASIP、MC1R和TYR基因多态及其与白毛性状的关联分析

ASIP、MC1R和TYR是与动物毛色性状相关的重要候选基因，为了探究ASIP、MC1R、TYR基因多态性及其与贵州白水牛白色被毛之间的关系。本研究以贵州白水牛（20头）和其他毛色水牛（60头）为试验材料，针对3个基因的外显子和部分非编码序列设计引物，利用DNA池作为模板进行扩增测序，对ASIP、MC1R和TYR基因多态性与贵州白水牛被毛之间的关系做了初步探讨。结果发现，在这3个基因中均没有发现特异性的插入/缺失突变，在贵州白水牛ASIP基因的启动子中发现了突变位点：Promoter-A147T和Promoter-A235G；在MC1R基因中筛选到1个错义突变exon1-T843C，TYR基因中筛选出2个错义突变exon1-G826A、exon5-T70C，以及1个同义突变exon3-A83G。这3个基因的SNP位点在扩大样本验证时发现不具有毛色特异性，研究初步表明，ASIP、MC1R、TYR基因的多态性位点不能解释贵州白水牛毛色的特殊变异，为以后对贵州白水牛的毛色的进一步研究奠定了基础。     

家畜毛色形成分子基础及应用研究进展

动物毛色是一种容易被识别的表型,也可作为筛查某些疾病的有效手段。毛色主要由黑色素细胞产生的真黑色素和棕黑色素的分布、比例和产生速率所决定。许多基因对黑色素的产生和分布起着重要调控作用,各基因间的不同基因型形成多种基本毛色、淡化毛色和花斑。此外,miRNA靶向结合毛色主效基因mRNA,诱导抑制/增强其转录翻译过程,从而调控毛色基因的表达,影响黑色素合成。文章简述了家畜调控毛色的主效基因黑色素皮质素受体1（MC1R）、野灰位点信号蛋白（ASIP）、原癌基因（KIT）、酪氨酸酶关联蛋白（TYRP）、小眼畸形相关转录因子（MITF）和内皮素受体B（EDNRB）的DNA序列多态性（不同基因型）与毛色性状、疾病之间的关系;介绍了毛色形成相关miRNA挖掘鉴定、miRNA调控毛色相关基因研究进展与毛色基因研究应用价值,旨在为今后研究家畜毛色机理提供理论依据。     

家畜毛色形成分子基础及应用研究进展

动物毛色是一种容易被识别的表型,也可作为筛查某些疾病的有效手段。毛色主要由黑色素细胞产生的真黑色素和棕黑色素的分布、比例和产生速率所决定。许多基因对黑色素的产生和分布起着重要调控作用,各基因间的不同基因型形成多种基本毛色、淡化毛色和花斑。此外,miRNA靶向结合毛色主效基因mRNA,诱导抑制/增强其转录翻译过程,从而调控毛色基因的表达,影响黑色素合成。文章简述了家畜调控毛色的主效基因黑色素皮质素受体1(MC1R)、野灰位点信号蛋白(ASIP)、原癌基因(KIT)、酪氨酸酶关联蛋白(TYRP)、小眼畸形相关转录因子(MITF)和内皮素受体B(EDNRB)的DNA序列多态性(不同基因型)与毛色性状、疾病之间的关系;介绍了毛色形成相关miRNA挖掘鉴定、miRNA调控毛色相关基因研究进展与毛色基因研究应用价值,旨在为今后研究家畜毛色机理提供理论依据。     

哺乳动物黑素皮质素受体-4基因多态性研究进展

黑素皮质素受体-4(Melanocortinreceptor-4,MC4R)是下丘脑腹内侧核分泌的一类肽类物质,由中枢神经系统中的多个神经元群体表达,在哺乳动物体重以及能量平衡的调节中发挥重要作用。该基因可作为哺乳动物体重或生长性状的候选功能基因,且基因内存在多个与哺乳动物生长性状关联的单核苷酸多态性(SNPs)。文章对哺乳动物MC4R基因及其SNP对动物生长性状的影响进行简要综述,以期为MC4R基因SNPs的相关研究提供参考。     

TYR基因研究进展

TYR基因是酪氨酸酶相关蛋白家族(Tyrosinase-related Protein)成员之一,酪氨酸酶是黑色素合成过程中的限速酶,TYR表达量及活性的高低直接影响真黑素与褐黑素的表达,进而对动物毛色产生影响。为深入了解TYR基因结构功能、多态性及TYR基因表达量与毛皮动物毛色的相关性,本文在查阅大量文献基础上,对TYR基因结构与功能以及在临床医学、畜牧生产上的应用研究等方面进行综述。通过综述大量文献发现,TYR基因突变不仅与人类皮肤白化病有明显关系,对哺乳动物被毛白化现象也有明显关系,而且在深色被毛哺乳动物中的表达量普遍高于浅色被毛哺乳动物。     

Phase I evaluation of CCNU (lomustine) in tumor-bearing cats

1-(2-Chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) is an alkylating agent in the nitrosourea subclass. A prospective evaluation of CCNU was done to determine the maximally tolerated dosage of CCNU in tumor-bearing cats. Response data were obtained when available. Twenty-five cats were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 50-60 mg/m3 body surface area. Complete hematologic data were available for 13 cats. Neutropenia was the acute dose-limiting toxicity. The median neutrophil count at the nadir was 1,000 cells/microL (mean, 2,433 cells/microL; range, 0-9,694 cells/microL). The time of neutrophil nadir was variable, occurring 7-28 days after treatment, and counts sometimes did not return to normal for up to 14 days after the nadir. Based on these findings, a 6-week dosing interval and weekly hematologic monitoring after the 1st treatment with CCNU are recommended. The nadir of the platelet count may occur 14-21 days after treatment. The median platelet count at the nadir was 43,500 cells/microL. No gastrointestinal, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed after a single CCNU treatment, and additional studies to evaluate the potential for cumulative toxicity should be performed. Five cats with lymphoma and 1 cat with mast cell tumor had measurable responses to CCNU. Phase II studies to evaluate antitumor activity should be completed with a dosing regimen of 50-60 mg/m3 every 6 weeks.     

Furosemide continuous rate infusion in the horse: evaluation of enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects

Continuous rate infusion (CRI) of furosemide in humans is considered superior to intermittent administration (IA). This study examined whether furosemide CRI, compared with IA, would increase diuretic efficacy with decreased fluid and electrolyte fluctuations and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the horse. Five mares were used in a crossover-design study. During a 24-hour period, each horse received a total of 3 mg/kg furosemide by either CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h preceded by a loading dose of 0.12 mg/kg IV) or IA (1 mg/kg IV q8h). There was not a statistically significant difference in urine volume over 24 hours between methods; however, urine volume was significantly greater after CRI compared with IA during the first 8 hours ([median 25th percentile, 75th percentile]: 9.6 L [8.9, 14.4] for CRI versus 5.9 L [5.3, 6.0] for IA). CRI produced a more uniform urine flow, decreased fluctuations in plasma volume, and suppressed renal concentrating ability throughout the infusion period. Potassium, Ca, and Cl excretion was greater during CRI than IA (1,133 mmol [1.110, 1,229] versus 764 mmol [709, 904], 102.7 mmol [96.0, 117.2] versus 73.3 mmol [65.0, 73.5], and 1,776 mmol [1,657, 2.378] versus 1,596 mmol [1,457, 1,767], respectively). Elimination half-lives of furosemide were 1.35 and 0.47 hours for CRI and IA, respectively. The area under the excretion rate curve was 1,285.7 and 184.2 mL x mg/mL for CRI and IA, respectively. Furosemide CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h) for 8 hours, preceded by a loading dose (0.12 mg/kg), is recommended when profound diuresis is needed acutely in horses.     

Prevalence of gastric lesions in racing Alaskan sled dogs

Human and equine athletes are reported to have a high prevalence of gastric disease, and anecdotal evidence suggests a similar phenomenon applies to racing sled dogs. To investigate the prevalence of gastric disease in racing sled dogs, we conducted 2 gastroscopy studies on dogs competing in the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A pilot study of dogs that were either dropped from the 2000 Iditarod Sled Dog Race because of illness or that finished the race indicated that, approximately 5 days after competing, 10 of 28 dogs (35%) had endoscopic evidence of gastric ulceration, erosion, or hemorrhage. The next year, an endoscopic study of 73 dogs participating in the 2001 Iditarod race was performed in order to evaluate a larger population of dogs. Data from 70 of these dogs could be used; 34 (48.5%) had ulceration, erosion, gastric hemorrhage, or some combination of these findings. When this group of 70 dogs was compared retrospectively to a control group of 87 dogs presented to the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the Iditarod sled dogs had a significantly higher prevalence (P = .049) of gastric lesions. These findings suggest that, similar to athletes of other species, elite canine athletes have an increased prevalence of gastric disease compared to the canine population at large.     

The Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Dairy Cattle in Central Kenya

The epidemiology of H. placei and of other gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling dairy cattle was examined on two farms in Kiambu District, central Kenya during each of 13 one-month periods from April 1993 to April 1994. On each farm, 32 newly weaned dairy calves were given a single dose of albendazole and then placed on experimental pastures. Twelve of the animals were designated for bi-monthly slaughter (n = 2) and analysis of worm population characteristics and 20 were designated for blood and faecal collection and for weighing. Two parasite-free tracer calves were grazed alongside the weaner calves each month throughout the study period and were also slaughtered for analysis of worm populations. Faecal egg counts, haematological and serum pepsinogen determinations, herbage larval counts, and animal live weight changes were recorded monthly. The study revealed that Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum were responsible for parasitic gastroenteritis and that H. placei was the predominant nematode present in the young cattle on both farms. Faecal egg counts from resident cattle and necropsy worm counts revealed that pasture larval levels were directly related to the amount of rainfall. The total worm burdens in the animals were highest during the rainy season (March–June and October–December) and lowest during the dry seasons (July–September and January–February). The very low recovery of immature larvae of H. placei from the tracer calves indicated that arrested development is not a feature of the life cycle of this parasite in central Kenya. The maintenance of the parasite population depended on continuous cycling of infection between the host and the pasture. The agroclimatic conditions of the study area were such that, in general, favourable weather conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes existed all year round.     

Diversity of Ectoparasites in Sheep Flocks in Sa~o Paulo,Brazil

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of Sa~o Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the `Associaça~o Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; Sa~o Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.     

Evaluation of biohydrogenation rate of canola vs. soya bean seeds as unsaturated fatty acids sources for ruminants in situ

An experiment was conducted to study disappearance of C14 to C18 fatty acids, lag times and biohydrogenation (BH) rates of C18 fatty acids of ground soya bean and canola seeds in situ. Three ruminally fistulated Dallagh sheep were used to determine ruminal BH of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). Differences in the disappearance of fatty acids through the bags and lag times were observed between the oilseeds. We saw that the longer the incubation time of the oilseeds in the rumen, the lower the content of C18:2 and C18:3. Significantly higher lag times for both C18:2 and C18:3 were observed in ground canola compared to ground soya bean. BH rates of C18:2 and C18:3 fatty acids in soya bean were three times higher than those of canola. These results suggest that the fatty acid profile of fat source can affect the BH of UFAs by rumen micro‐organisms. So that UFAs of canola had higher ability to escape from ruminal BH. It seems that fatty acid profile of ruminant products is more affected by canola seed compared to soya bean seed.     

Serum biochemical values and mineral element contents of tissues in yaks

Serum biochemical values and the wet weight to dry weight ratios of tissues were determined in yaks in Shandan county of Gansu province. The liver, kidney, heart and muscle contents of seven elements in yaks were also analysed. Most serum biochemical values were similar to those of cattle, camels and sheep, but the calcium concentration was considerably above the normal range for other ruminants. The liver contained the highest concentrations of copper, manganese and cobalt and the kidney of selenium, iron and calcium.Abbreviations Alb albumin - ALT alanine aminotransferase - AST aspartate aminotransferase - BUN blood urea nitrogen - Chol cholesterol - Glob globulin - -GT -glutamyl transpeptidase - IP inorganic phosphorus - TP total protein     

Avian brood parasitism — a growing research area in behavioral ecology (part Ⅱ)

正We are pleased to publish the second special issue on avian brood parasitism and to be responsible guest editors for the two special issues of Chinese Birds (Vol. 3, No. 4, 2012 and Vol. 4, No. 1, 2013), entitled "Avian Brood Parasitism - A Growing Research Area in Behavioral Ecology". The first issue was published in December 2012. The goal of the two special issues is to publish accumulated knowledge and some of the recent developments in