豌豆白粉菌侵染对活性氧迸发规律和紫花苜蓿叶片结构的影响

以专性寄生菌豌豆白粉菌接种紫花苜蓿,采用比色法和组织化学法对活性氧^·O2-和H₂O₂迸发的时间、强度及作用位点进行了研究;并就侵染部位的叶片制作了石蜡切片,对叶片结构进行了观察。结果表明,接种后,抗性品种庆阳苜蓿^·O2-和H₂O₂迸发均呈双峰形,^·O2-出现在接菌后4和48 h,H₂O₂出现在接菌后4和24 h,且第一次高峰强度高于第二次;而感病品种德宝苜蓿^·O2-含量未出现明显波动,H₂O₂迸发呈单峰形,仅在接菌后4 h出现一次迸发高峰。对活性氧ROS的作用位点进行研究发现,在叶片表面和内部细胞均未发现蓝色的^·O2-沉积位点;而H₂O₂产生并积累于苜蓿上、下表皮细胞的细胞膜及受侵染处叶肉细胞的细胞质。此外,首次发现病原菌侵染后,苜蓿叶片组织结构也相应发生了改变,表皮细胞下的栅栏组织由一个长柱形细胞变为了多个卵圆形细胞,以致难以区分栅栏组织和海绵组织。本研究结果说明,不同植物种与病原菌互作中,活性氧积累的时间和强度均不相同,启动防御反应的活性氧种类亦不同;苜蓿叶肉细胞结构和形态改变可能是抵御白粉菌侵染的积极反应之一。     

外源过氧化氢提高燕麦耐盐性的生理机制

以燕麦品种‘定莜6号’为材料,采用水培法,研究喷施过氧化氢(H₂O₂)对盐胁迫下燕麦幼苗生长、渗透调节物质积累和活性氧代谢的影响。结果表明:1)150 mmol/L NaCl胁迫显著抑制燕麦幼苗生长,提高叶片游离氨基酸和脯氨酸水平,降低谷胱甘肽(GSH)和可溶性糖含量;喷施0.01 mmol/L H₂O₂对NaCl胁迫引起的生长抑制有明显的缓解作用,并提高了幼苗叶片可溶性蛋白质、可溶性糖和脯氨酸含量,降低了游离氨基酸含量。2)NaCl胁迫下,虽然燕麦叶片超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶、过氧化物酶和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶活性提高,但O2·-、H₂O₂和丙二醛(MDA)积累;喷施H₂O₂进一步提高了NaCl胁迫下燕麦的上述抗氧化酶活性和GSH含量,却降低了O2·-产生速率及H₂O₂和MDA含量,说明外施H₂O₂能够增强盐胁迫燕麦的抗氧化能力,减轻氧化伤害。以上结果表明,外源H₂O₂可通过调控渗透调节物质积累和活性氧代谢提高燕麦耐盐性。     

外源SA对盐胁迫下颠茄生理生化、氮代谢及次生代谢的影响

采用无土栽培的方式,研究0.75 mmol/L 水杨酸(SA)对100 mmol/L NaCl胁迫下颠茄幼苗生理生化、氮代谢与次生代谢的影响。结果表明,外源SA处理后:颠茄叶片叶绿素含量增多,最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、PSⅡ的潜在活性(F_v/F_o)、PSⅡ激发能捕获效率(F_v'/F_m')、表观光合电子传递速率(ETR)、PSⅡ实际光化学效率(ΦPSⅡ)、光化学猝灭系数(qP)显著升高,初始荧光(F_o)、非光化学猝灭系数(qN)明显降低;超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性明显增强,丙二醛(MDA)含量明显降低;可溶性蛋白含量显著升高,脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量降低;NO3-含量增加,NH4+含量减少,谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)和谷氨酸合成酶(GOGAT)活性提高,谷氨酸脱氢酶(GDH)活性降低;次生代谢产物莨菪碱和东莨菪碱含量显著提升。说明0.75 mmol/L外源SA能显著改善100 mmol/L NaCl胁迫下颠茄幼苗的光合性能,调节有机渗透物质含量,提高抗氧化酶活性,减小膜脂过氧化程度,以缓解盐胁迫造成的伤害。并使氮代谢相关酶活性恢复或增强,为生物碱的合成提供更多的前体物质和能量,从而直接或间接地促进了次生代谢产物的合成与积累。     

外源NO对镧胁迫下燕麦幼苗活性氧代谢和矿质元素含量的影响

为探讨外源NO对稀土元素镧(La)胁迫下燕麦幼苗生理响应的调节作用,采用水培方法,研究了NO供体硝普钠(SNP)对20 mmol/L La³⁺胁迫下幼苗生长、活性氧代谢和矿质元素吸收的影响。结果表明,La³⁺胁迫下燕麦幼苗根长、株高和植株干重明显下降,根系和叶片活性氧(O2·-和H₂O₂)水平及丙二醛(MDA)含量显著提高,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)活性降低,抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性及抗坏血酸(AsA)和谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量提高;施加100 μmol/L SNP能显著缓解La³⁺胁迫对燕麦幼苗生长的抑制作用,降低La³⁺胁迫下燕麦幼苗根系和叶片O2·-、H₂O₂、MDA、AsA和GSH含量,提高SOD、CAT、POD和APX活性。La³⁺胁迫提高了燕麦幼苗根系和叶片La和铜(Cu)的富集量,抑制了钾(K)、钙(Ca)、镁(Mg)、铁(Fe)、锌(Zn)、锰(Mn)的吸收;施加100 μmol/L SNP可显著抑制燕麦从根系向叶片La的转运,缓解La³⁺胁迫对K、Ca、Mg、Fe吸收的抑制及对Cu吸收的促进效应,使根系中Zn、Mn含量下降,叶片Zn、Mn含量增加。由此表明,外源NO能够通过提高抗氧化酶活性及影响La的转运和矿质元素吸收,缓解La³⁺胁迫对燕麦幼苗的氧化伤害和生长抑制。     

外源一氧化氮提高裸燕麦幼苗的耐碱性

采用营养液砂培方法,研究外源一氧化氮(NO)供体硝普钠(SNP)对NaHCO₃胁迫下裸燕麦幼苗生长、活性氧代谢和渗透溶质积累的影响。结果表明,1~200 μmol/L SNP能够缓解75 mmol/L NaHCO₃胁迫对裸燕麦幼苗生长的抑制作用,25 μmol/L SNP的缓解作用最明显,可降低裸燕麦叶片O2·-、H₂O₂、丙二醛和有机酸含量,增强幼苗叶片超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶、过氧化物酶、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶和质膜H⁺-ATPase活性,提高叶片谷胱甘肽、可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白质、游离氨基酸、脯氨酸含量和K⁺/Na⁺,但对抗坏血酸含量影响不大。分析表明,外源NO可能通过激活抗氧化系统活性、促进渗透溶质积累和改善Na⁺、K⁺平衡缓解碱胁迫对幼苗的伤害和生长抑制,从而提高裸燕麦的耐碱性。     

紫花苜蓿种子萌发对钴胁迫的生理生化响应

以“甘农3号”紫花苜蓿为试验材料,研究不同浓度Co²⁺(0,0.25,0.50,1.00,2.50,5.00 mmol/L CoCl₂)胁迫对紫花苜蓿种子萌发及幼苗生理生化特性的影响。结果表明:Co胁迫对紫花苜蓿种子的萌发及幼苗的生长有明显的抑制作用,随着Co胁迫浓度的增大,种子发芽势、发芽率、发芽指数、活力指数及幼苗的胚芽长、胚根长、根系活力和干重均显著降低,而且Co胁迫对发芽势的抑制作用大于发芽率,对胚根生长的抑制作用大于胚芽;低浓度Co胁迫(0.25和0.50 mmol/L)下,苜蓿幼苗叶片中可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖含量和蛋白水解酶、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、愈创木酚过氧化物酶(GPX)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性与CK均无显著差异,而游离脯氨酸含量显著升高;随着Co胁迫浓度的升高,可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖、游离脯氨酸含量及蛋白水解酶、SOD、APX、GPX、CAT活性均显著下降,超氧阴离子自由基(O2·-)产生速率、羟自由基(OH^·)浓度、H₂O₂及丙二醛(MDA)含量均显著增加。说明高浓度Co胁迫使得苜蓿幼苗抗氧化系统活性下降,活性氧清除能力降低,膜脂过氧化程度加剧,从而抑制了紫花苜蓿种子的萌发及幼苗的生长。     

外源甜菜碱对低温胁迫下结缕草生理特性的影响

甜菜碱作为一种重要的渗透调节物质,与低温胁迫下植物的抗逆性有着密切的联系。为了探讨不同浓度外源甜菜碱对低温胁迫下结缕草相关生理指标的影响,本实验以结缕草‘青岛’品种为实验材料,分别采用0,50,100和150 mmol/L 的甜菜碱进行叶面喷施,在8/2℃(白天/夜间)的培养箱中连续处理28 d,以正常管理(28/24℃)作为对照。结果表明:外源甜菜碱能够有效缓解低温胁迫下结缕草坪观质量和叶绿素含量的下降,减少电解质渗透率和丙二醛含量的升高,显著提高SOD、POD、CAT和APX的活性,从而降低H₂O₂和O2·-的累积,同时,外源甜菜碱还可以提高低温胁迫下结缕草可溶性蛋白和脯氨酸的含量,增强渗透调节能力,进而增强结缕草对低温胁迫的抵抗性。其中,外施100 mmol/L甜菜碱对提高结缕草的耐低温能力的效果最为显著。     

锰胁迫对苍耳种子萌发及幼苗生理生化特性的影响

为探明苍耳对锰胁迫适应的生理生化机制,以苍耳种子为试验材料,采用培养皿滤纸法,研究了不同浓度锰(0,1000,5000,10000,15000和20000 μmol/L)胁迫对苍耳种子萌发、幼苗生长及生理生化特性的影响。结果表明:1)1000~5000 μmol/L锰胁迫显著提高了苍耳种子的萌发率,增加了幼苗的芽长和根系活力;当浓度>5000 μmol/L时,发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数以及根长、鲜重、干重、根冠比均显著降低;2)随着锰浓度的升高,苍耳幼苗叶片中可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白和脯氨酸含量以及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、愈创木酚过氧化物酶(GPX)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性均呈现先增加后下降的变化趋势;3)苍耳幼苗体内活性氧和膜脂过氧化物含量随着锰浓度的升高显著增加,超氧阴离子自由基(O2· -)产生速率、羟自由基(OH^·)浓度、H₂O₂和MDA含量分别增加了154.69%、47.29%、100.09%和200.96%。研究结果显示,苍耳对锰胁迫具有较强的耐性,可作为锰矿废弃地修复的备选植物。     

青藏高原高寒湿地温室气体释放对水位变化的响应

为了探究水位变化对青藏高原高寒湿地温室气体释放的影响,以高原东部若尔盖典型高寒湿地为研究对象,采用“中型实验生态系”的技术手段,研究了两种不同水位情形 [稳定水位(SW,0 cm)和波动水位(DW,从0 cm下降到45 cm,再复原到0 cm)] 对高寒湿地二氧化碳(CO₂)、甲烷(CH₄)和氧化亚氮(N₂O)三种温室气体释放的影响。结果表明,1)高寒湿地水位变化对土壤(0~10 cm)可溶性有机碳(DOC)没有显著影响;水位从0 cm下降到45 cm,再复原到0 cm,对铵态氮(NH4+-N)和硝态氮(NO3--N)的转化起到了促进作用;2)水位变化对高寒湿地CO₂释放影响不显著,SW和DW处理下CO₂累积释放量分别为235.2和209.7 g/m²;3)水位变化对CH₄释放有显著影响,CH₄累积释放量从SW处理的1.79 g/m²下降到DW处理的0.86 g/m²,下降了52.18%;4)水位波动处理抑制了N₂O的释放,其在SW和DW条件下的累积释放量分别是6.72和-7.36 mg/m²;5)高寒湿地土壤温度在10 ℃以上,CO₂和CH₄释放量与其呈显著正相关性,水位下降提高了CO₂和CH₄释放与温度的拟合度。     

外源亚精胺调控草地早熟禾幼苗耐盐性的研究

盐胁迫严重危害草坪草的正常生长并且限制其大面积建植,尤其是对耐盐性相对较差的草地早熟禾。本试验以耐盐性不同的2个草地早熟禾品种‘兰肯(Kenblue)’和‘午夜(Midnight)’作为试验材料,采用MS培养基作为培养基质,以200 mmol/L的 NaCl为胁迫条件,施用浓度为1 mmol/L的外源亚精胺(Spd),研究了盐胁迫下外源亚精胺对草地早熟禾幼苗生长及其相关生理指标的影响。结果表明,外源Spd处理能够缓解盐胁迫对草地早熟禾根系和幼苗生长的抑制,提高APX、CAT、POD和SOD的活性以及脯氨酸的含量,减少体内活性氧H₂O₂和O2-·的积聚,降低MDA的含量和细胞膜透性,同时,外源Spd处理还可以加强离子营养平衡能力,降低细胞内Na⁺的含量,增加K⁺、Ca²⁺和Mg²⁺的含量,进而促进细胞内离子的区域化分布,稳定细胞膜结构。因此,从实验结果可以推断外源Spd处理可以提高草地早熟禾幼苗的耐盐性,这为降低盐胁迫对草坪草的伤害以及扩大建植草坪草提供了有利的理论基础。     

Quantification of transmission of foot-and-mouth disease virus caused by an environment contaminated with secretions and excretions from infected calves

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) infected animals can contaminate the environment with their secretions and excretions. To quantify the contribution of a contaminated environment to the transmission of FMDV, this study used calves that were not vaccinated and calves that were vaccinated 1 week prior to inoculation with the virus in direct and indirect contact experiments. In direct contact experiments, contact calves were exposed to inoculated calves in the same room. In indirect contact experiments, contact calves were housed in rooms that previously had held inoculated calves for three days (either from 0 to 3 or from 3 to 6 days post inoculation). Secretions and excretions from all calves were tested for the presence of FMDV by virus isolation; the results were used to quantify FMDV transmission. This was done using a generalized linear model based on a 2 route (2R, i.e. direct contact and environment) SIR model that included information on FMDV survival in the environment. The study shows that roughly 44% of transmission occurs via the environment, as indicated by the reproduction ratio R^02Renvironment that equalled 2.0, whereas the sum of R^02Rcontact and R^02Renvironment equalled 4.6. Because vaccination 1 week prior to inoculation of the calves conferred protective immunity against FMDV infection, no transmission rate parameters could be estimated from the experiments with vaccinated calves. We conclude that a contaminated environment contributes considerably to the transmission of FMDV therefore that hygiene measures can play a crucial role in FMD control.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13567-015-0156-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Impact of inclusion rates of crossbred phenotypes and genotypes in nucleus selection programs

Numerous methods have been suggested to incorporate crossbred (CB) phenotypes and genotypes into swine selection programs, yet little research has focused on the implicit trade-off decisions between generating data at the nucleus or commercial level. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of altering the proportion of purebred (PB) and CB phenotypes and genotypes in genetic evaluations on the response to selection of CB performance. Assuming CB and PB performance with moderate heritabilities (h2=0.4), a three-breed swine crossbreeding scheme was simulated and selection was practiced for six generations, where the goal was to increase CB performance. Phenotypes, genotypes, and pedigrees for three PB breeds (25 and 175 mating males and females for each breed, respectively), F₁ crosses (400 mating females), and terminal cross progeny (2,500) were simulated. The genome consisted of 18 chromosomes with 1,800 quantitative trait loci and 72k single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. Selection was performed in PB breeds using estimated breeding value for each phenotyping/genotyping strategy. Strategies investigated were: 1) increasing the proportion of CB with genotypes, phenotypes, and sire pedigree relationships, 2) decreasing the proportion of PB phenotypes and genotypes, and 3) altering the genetic correlation between PB and CB performance (rpc). Each unique rpc scenario and data collection strategy was replicated 10 times. Results showed that including CB data improved the CB performance regardless of rpc or data collection strategy compared with when no CB data were included. Compared with using only PB information, including 10% of CB progeny per generation with sire pedigrees and phenotypes increased the response in CB phenotype by 134%, 55%, 33%, 23%, and 21% when rpc was 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 0.9, respectively. When the same 10% of CB progeny were also genotyped, CB performance increased by 243%, 54%, 38%, 23%, and 20% when the rpc was 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 0.9, respectively, compared with when no CB data were utilized. Minimal change was observed in the average CB phenotype when PB phenotypes were included or proportionally removed when CB were genotyped. Removal of both PB phenotypes and genotypes when CB were genotyped greatly reduced the response in CB performance. In practice, the optimal inclusion rate of CB and PB data depends upon the genetic correlation between CB and PB animals and the expense of additional CB data collection compared with the economic benefit associated with increased CB performance.     

Comparison of models for missing pedigree in single-step genomic prediction

Pedigree information is often missing for some animals in a breeding program. Unknown-parent groups (UPGs) are assigned to the missing parents to avoid biased genetic evaluations. Although the use of UPGs is well established for the pedigree model, it is unclear how UPGs are integrated into the inverse of the unified relationship matrix (H-inverse) required for single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction. A generalization of the UPG model is the metafounder (MF) model. The objectives of this study were to derive 3 H-inverses and to compare genetic trends among models with UPG and MF H-inverses using a simulated purebred population. All inverses were derived using the joint density function of the random breeding values and genetic groups. The breeding values of genotyped animals (u₂) were assumed to be adjusted for UPG effects (g) using matrix Q₂ as u2∗=u2+Q2g before incorporating genomic information. The Quaas–Pollak-transformed (QP) H-inverse was derived using a joint density function of u2∗ and g updated with genomic information and assuming nonzero cov(u2∗,g′). The modified QP (altered) H-inverse also assumes that the genomic information updates u2∗ and g, but cov(u2∗,g′)=0. The UPG-encapsulated (EUPG) H-inverse assumed genomic information updates the distribution of u2∗. The EUPG H-inverse had the same structure as the MF H-inverse. Fifty percent of the genotyped females in the simulation had a missing dam, and missing parents were replaced with UPGs by generation. The simulation study indicated that u2∗ and g in models using the QP and altered H-inverses may be inseparable leading to potential biases in genetic trends. Models using the EUPG and MF H-inverses showed no genetic trend biases. These 2 H-inverses yielded the same genomic EBV (GEBV). The predictive ability and inflation of GEBVs from young genotyped animals were nearly identical among models using the QP, altered, EUPG, and MF H-inverses. Although the choice of H-inverse in real applications with enough data may not result in biased genetic trends, the EUPG and MF H-inverses are to be preferred because of theoretical justification and possibility to reduce biases.     

Pharmacokinetics of IV Ketorolac in Horses Undergoing Orchiectomy

Ketorolac (KET) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug for human use, with a potent analgesic activity, that is used in the relief of moderate-to-severe postoperative pain. The pharmacokinetics of KET tromethamine was evaluated after single IV injection at 0.5 mg/kg body weight, after intubation and 10 minutes before surgery, to six Arabian colts undergoing orchiectomy. Intraoperative cardiorespiratory variables were monitored. Blood samples were collected for 36 hours, and serum samples were analyzed by high performance liquid chromotography with ultraviolet-visible detection. During surgery, all monitored physiological parameters were stable. Intermittent positive pressure ventilation, and normocapnia were maintained throughout the procedure in all animals. No adverse effects were observed. The kinetics of KET was described by a two-compartment models, and also a noncompartmental analysis was performed. The distribution and elimination half-lives were t_1/2λ1$t_{1/2{\lambda }_1}$ 0.06 ± 0.02 and t_1/2λ2$t_{1/2{\lambda }_2}$ 0.59 ± 0.21 hours, respectively. Body clearance and mean residence time were 339.99 ± 120.19 mL/h/kg and 0.49 ± 0.22 hours, respectively. The volume of distribution at steady state and volume of distribution based on the terminal phase were 218.83 ± 134.26 mL/kg and 522.5 ± 529.3 mL/kg, respectively. The serum protein binding was 75.8 ± 2.9%. The results indicate that KET at 0.5 mg/kg IV was very rapidly eliminated and thus was likely not effective in the postoperative period. However, further studies including a control group and at higher doses are suggested to investigate the KET kinetics and the analgesic efficacy in horse and define the most appropriate dosage scheme.     

Quantitative Accuracy of the Simplified Strong Ion Equation to Predict Serum pH in Dogs

Background

Electrochemical approach to the assessment of acid‐base states should provide a better mechanistic explanation of the metabolic component than methods that consider only pH and carbon dioxide.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Simplified strong ion equation (SSIE), using published dog‐specific values, would predict the measured serum pH of diseased dogs.

Animals

Ten dogs, hospitalized for various reasons.

Methods

Prospective study of a convenience sample of a consecutive series of dogs admitted to the Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (MUVTH), from which serum biochemistry and blood gas analyses were performed at the same time. Serum pH was calculated (Hcal+) using the SSIE, and published values for the concentration and dissociation constant for the nonvolatile weak acids (A_tot and K _a), and subsequently Hcal+ was compared with the dog''s actual pH (Hmeasured+). To determine the source of discordance between Hcal+ and Hmeasured+, the calculations were repeated using a series of substituted values for A_tot and K _a.

Results

The Hcal+ did not approximate the Hmeasured+ for any dog (P = 0.499, r ² = 0.068), and was consistently more basic. Substituted values A_tot and K _a did not significantly improve the accuracy (r ² = 0.169 to <0.001). Substituting the effective SID (Atot−[HCO3−]) produced a strong association between Hcal+ and Hmeasured+ (r ² = 0.977).

Conclusions and clinical importance

Using the simplified strong ion equation and the published values for A_tot and K _a does not appear to provide a quantitative explanation for the acid‐base status of dogs. Efficacy of substituting the effective SID in the simplified strong ion equation suggests the error lies in calculating the SID.     

Review: optimizing genomic selection for crossbred performance by model improvement and data collection

Breeding programs aiming to improve the performance of crossbreds may benefit from genomic prediction of crossbred (CB) performance for purebred (PB) selection candidates. In this review, we compared genomic prediction strategies that differed in 1) the genomic prediction model used or 2) the data used in the reference population. We found 27 unique studies, two of which used deterministic simulation, 11 used stochastic simulation, and 14 real data. Differences in accuracy and response to selection between strategies depended on i) the value of the purebred crossbred genetic correlation (rpc), ii) the genetic distance between the parental lines, iii) the size of PB and CB reference populations, and iv) the relatedness of these reference populations to the selection candidates. In studies where a PB reference population was used, the use of a dominance model yielded accuracies that were equal to or higher than those of additive models. When rpc was lower than ~0.8, and was caused mainly by G × E, it was beneficial to create a reference population of PB animals that are tested in a CB environment. In general, the benefit of collecting CB information increased with decreasing rpc. For a given rpc, the benefit of collecting CB information increased with increasing size of the reference populations. Collecting CB information was not beneficial when rpc was higher than ~0.9, especially when the reference populations were small. Collecting only phenotypes of CB animals may slightly improve accuracy and response to selection, but requires that the pedigree is known. It is, therefore, advisable to genotype these CB animals as well. Finally, considering the breed-origin of alleles allows for modeling breed-specific effects in the CB, but this did not always lead to higher accuracies. Our review shows that the differences in accuracy and response to selection between strategies depend on several factors. One of the most important factors is rpc, and we, therefore, recommend to obtain accurate estimates of rpc of all breeding goal traits. Furthermore, knowledge about the importance of components of rpc (i.e., dominance, epistasis, and G × E) can help breeders to decide which model to use, and whether to collect data on animals in a CB environment. Future research should focus on the development of a tool that predicts accuracy and response to selection from scenario specific parameters.     

Inclusion of sire by herd interaction effect in the genomic evaluation for weaning weight of American Angus

A spurious negative genetic correlation between direct and maternal effects of weaning weight (WW) in beef cattle has historically been problematic for researchers and industry. Previous research has suggested the covariance between sires and herds may be contributing to this relationship. The objective of this study was to estimate the variance components (VC) for WW in American Angus with and without sire by herd (S×H) interaction effect when genomic information is used or not. Five subsets of ~100k animals for each subset were used. When genomic information was included, genotypes were added for 15,637 animals. Five replicates were performed. Four different models were tested, namely, M1: without S×H interaction effect and with covariance between direct and maternal effect (σam) ≠ 0; M2: with S×H interaction effect and σam ≠ 0; M3: without S×H interaction effect and with σam = 0; M4: with S×H interaction effect and σam = 0. VC were estimated using the restricted maximum likelihood (REML) and single-step genomic REML (ssGREML) with the average information algorithm. Breeding values were computed using single-step genomic BLUP for the models above and one additional model, which had the covariance zeroed after the estimation of VC (M5). The ability of each model to predict future breeding values was investigated with the linear regression method. Under REML, when the S×H interaction effect was added to the model, both direct and maternal genetic variances were greatly reduced, and the negative covariance became positive (i.e., when moving from M1 to M2). Similar patterns were observed under ssGREML, but with less reduction in the direct and maternal genetic variances and still a negative covariance. Models with the S×H interaction effect (M2 and M4) had a better fit according to the Akaike information criteria. Breeding values from those models were more accurate and had less bias than the other three models. The rankings and breeding values of artificial insemination sires (N = 1,977) greatly changed when the S×H interaction effect was fit in the model. Although the S×H interaction effect accounted for 3% to 5% of the total phenotypic variance and improved the model fit, this change in the evaluation model will cause severe reranking among animals.