Intraspecific variability in several isolates of Philasterides dicentrarchi (syn. Miamiensis avidus), a scuticociliate parasite of farmed turbot

Research on intraspecific variation in ciliates is scarce, and in scuticociliate parasite of fish, virtually nonexistent. In this study, seven isolates obtained from turbots affected by scuticociliatosis in different parts of the Iberian Peninsula (northwest Spain and southwest Portugal) were morphologically and genetically characterized to investigate the intraspecific divergence in these amphizoic ciliates. The isolates were stained with ammoniacal silver carbonate and examined in an optical microscope; all were found to have the typical morphological characteristics described for Philasterides dicentrarchi (syn. Miamiensis avidus). Sixteen biometric characteristics of the seven isolates were used in a canonical discrimination analysis (CDA) to select a subset of those that best identified each isolate. Discriminant analysis indicated that the OPK3 width, length of the PM2, length of the buccal field, the body width, L:W ratio, the body length, the OPK1 width and the distance between OPK2 and OPK3 were the most important morphological variables for discriminating the isolates. The first three canonical functions accounted for 86% of the total variance. The scatter plots of the first two canonical variables grouped and separated the P. dicentrarchi isolates into five clusters. Flow cytometry analysis of isolates also indicated intraspecific polymorphisms among P. dicentrarchi isolates. Nuclear markers (a 349-bp and a 390-bp fragment of 18S rRNA and β-tubulin genes) and a 398-bp of the mitochondrial cytocrome oxidase subunit I (Cox1) gene were then used to investigate the intraspecific genetic variation in P. dicentrarchi. Haplotype analysis and neighbour-joining phylogenies of nucleotide sequences of seven isolates revealed a high degree of intraspecific genetic variation among the isolates. Analysis of Cox1 and β-tubulin genes revealed six haplotypes (and clusters) in both cases; however, analysis of the 18S rRNA gene revealed only two haplotypes. The results show clear intraspecific variation at morphological and genetic levels in the scuticociliate P. dicentrarchi, and verify the suitability of mitochondrial (Cox1) and nuclear (β-tubulin) genes for detecting intraspecific genetic variation within populations of scuticociliates that infect cultured turbot. The existence of this intraspecific variation must be taken into account in the design of an effective vaccine to control scuticociliatosis.     

Ethics and Genetic Selection in Purebred Dogs

There is an ongoing revolution in medicine that is changing the way that veterinarians will be counselling clients regarding inherited disorders. Clinical applications will emerge rapidly in veterinary medicine as we obtain new information from canine and comparative genome projects ( Meyers‐Wallen 2001 : Relevance of the canine genome project to veterinary medical practice. International Veterinary Information Service, New York). The canine genome project is described by three events: mapping markers on canine chromosomes, mapping gene locations on canine chromosomes ( Breen et al. 2001 : Genome Res. 11, 1784–1795), and obtaining the nucleotide sequence of the entire canine genome. Information from such research has provided a few DNA tests for single gene mutations [ Aguirre 2000 : DNA testing for inherited canine diseases. In: Bonagura, J (ed), Current Veterinary Therapy XIII. Philadelphia WB Saunders Co, 909–913]. Eventually it will lead to testing of thousands of genes at a time and production of DNA profiles on individual animals. The DNA profile of each dog could be screened for all known genetic disease and will be useful in counselling breeders. As part of the pre‐breeding examination, DNA profiles of prospective parents could be compared, and the probability of offspring being affected with genetic disorders or inheriting desirable traits could be calculated. Once we can examine thousands of genes of individuals easily, we have powerful tools to reduce the frequency of, or eliminate, deleterious genes from a population. When we understand polygenic inheritance, we can potentially eliminate whole groups of deleterious genes from populations. The effect of such selection on a widespread basis within a breed could rapidly improve health within a few generations. However, until we have enough information on gene interaction, we will not know whether some of these genes have other functions that we wish to retain. And, other population effects should not be ignored. At least initially it may be best to use this new genetic information to avoid mating combinations that we know will produce affected animals, rather than to eliminate whole groups of genes from a population. This is particularly important for breeds with small gene pools, where it is difficult to maintain genetic diversity. Finally, we will eventually have enough information about canine gene function to select for specific genes encoding desirable traits and increase their frequencies in a population. This is similar to breeding practices that have been applied to animals for hundreds of years. The difference is that we will have a large pool of objective data that we can use rapidly on many individuals at a time. This has great potential to improve the health of the dog population as a whole. However, if we or our breeder clients make an error, we can inadvertently cause harm through massive, rapid selection. Therefore, we should probably not be advising clients on polygenic traits or recommend large scale changes in gene frequencies in populations until much more knowledge of gene interaction is obtained. By then it is likely that computer modelling will be available to predict the effect of changing one or several gene frequencies in a dog population over time. And as new mutations are likely to arise in the future, these tools will be needed indefinitely to detect, treat and eliminate genetic disorders from dog populations. Information available from genetic research will only be useful in improving canine health if veterinarians have the knowledge and skills to use it ethically and responsibly. There is not only a great potential to improve overall canine health through genetic selection, but also the potential to do harm if we fail to maintain genetic diversity. Our profession must be in a position to correctly advise clients on the application of this information to individual dogs as well as to populations of dogs, and particularly purebred dogs.     

基于SSR分子标记对蒙古韭遗传多样性的研究

蒙古韭不仅是荒漠草原上较好的饲草之一,而且其特殊气味和丰富的营养也可以作为野生蔬菜开发利用。为了能够保护且合理利用这一资源,试验采用SSR分子标记法,对来自内蒙古自治区和甘肃省的8个地理居群蒙古韭材料进行遗传多样性分析。研究结果表明:通过SSR分子标记共检测出112条多态性位点,每个SSR位点的多态性信息含量(PIC)平均为0.3228,变幅在0.20840~0.4076之间。种间Nei’s基因多样性指数(He)变幅为0.1588~0.3956,Shannon信息指数(Ⅰ)介于0.2637~0.5790之间;8个居群种内Nei’s基因多样性指数(He)变幅为0.0926~0.1743,Shannon信息指数(I)在0.1394~0.2657之间,体现出较为丰富的遗传多样性,且种内遗传多样性水平差异较大。遗传基因分化系数(Gst)平均为0.5532,说明种群间存在丰富的遗传变异。UPGMA聚类分析法将8个居群分为2个大类群,综合地理分布及距离分析得出遗传距离与地理生境有关,特别是与年均温和纬度关系比较明显。其研究结果可为蒙古韭引种驯化及遗传育种提供依据。     

鸡蛔虫线粒体cox1和nad4基因的遗传变异分析

为探究鸡蛔虫的种内遗传变异和系统发育关系,对分离自四川省西昌市的15个鸡蛔虫分离株的线粒体细胞色素c氧化酶第Ⅰ亚基（cox1）基因部分序列和烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸脱氢酶亚单位Ⅳ（nad4）基因全序列进行PCR扩增、序列测定及分析,并用cox1和nad4基因部分序列构建鸡蛔虫与其他蛔虫的NJ树和贝叶斯树。测序结果显示,所获得的鸡蛔虫cox1和nad4基因全序列长度分别为1 152和1 236 bp,分别有33和40个变异位点,碱基变异率分别为0~2.1%和0~2.3%;分别检测到8和11个单倍型,总的单倍型多样性分别为0.733±0.124和0.933±0.054,核苷酸多样性分别为0.00433±0.00153和0.00541±0.00157,平均遗传距离分别为0.004和0.005。构建的种系发育树均显示15个鸡蛔虫西昌分离株与其他国家/地区的鸡蛔虫分离株聚类形成一个分支,与鸽蛔虫的亲缘关系最近,与其他蛔虫所属的分支相隔较远。研究结果表明鸡蛔虫西昌分离株的遗传变异程度低,且nad4基因比cox1基因更适合作为研究鸡蛔虫分离株遗传变异的分子标记。     

Genetic Variation Analysis of Mitochondrial cox1 and nad4 Genes of Ascaridia galli

To study the genetic variations of Ascaridia galli (A. galli) and the phylogentic relationships with other Ascaridata, fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene and complete sequence of NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (nad4) gene of 15 adult A. galli isolated from Xichang city in Sichuan province were amplified by PCR, then analyzed the sequences. NJ trees and Bayes trees based on pcox1 and pnad4 genes were reconstructed. The partial sequences of cox1 gene and complete sequence of nad4 gene were 1 152 and 1 236 bp, respectively. There were 33 and 40 variable sites in the pcox1 and nad4 gene sequences, the intraspecific sequence variations within A. galli were 0 to 2.1% for pcox1 gene, 0 to 2.3% for nad4 gene. 8 and 11 haplotypes were detected in pcox1 and nad4 genes, the global haplotype diversity were 0.733±0.124 and 0.933±0.054, the nucleotide diversities were 0.00433±0.00153 and 0.00541±0.00157, and the average genetic distances were 0.004 and 0.005, respectively. Phylogenetic trees based on pcox1 and pnad4 genes with Neighbour-Joining and Bayesian analysis method revealed that all A. galli were clustered in one clade, and they were more closely related to A. columbae than any other members of Ascaridata. These findings indicated that 15 isolates of A. galli from Xichang city kept low genetic variation, nad4 gene was more suitable and effective than cox1 gene as molecular marker for detecting genetic variation of A. galli.     

基于高通量测序技术挖掘分子遗传标记及其在蛋鸡生产中的精准应用

高通量测序技术是研究物种复杂生物性状遗传机制的基础,随着高通量测序技术的不断优化提升,一些与生物表型性状密切相关的基因组变异被精准地挖掘出来,其中包括单核苷酸多态位点(SNP)、小片段的插入或缺失(Indel)、拷贝数变异(CNV)以及结构变异(SV)为代表的分子标记。与传统遗传标记相比较,分子遗传标记具有多态性高、遍布整个基因组、检测手段简单快捷以及成本低廉的特点。通过检测覆盖全基因组范围内的分子标记,利用基因组水平的遗传信息对个体或群体遗传资源进行评估,能够缩短世代间隔、提高选种的准确性,进而在短期内取得较大的遗传进展。作者从高通量测序技术挖掘分子遗传标记角度入手,综述了三代测序技术发展历程和应用领域以及三代分子遗传标记检测技术在蛋鸡种业创新中的应用,并详细阐述了高通量测序技术与分子遗传标记相结合在蛋鸡群体遗传多样性及进化分类、群体遗传图谱的构建和功能基因定位、数量性状形成的遗传机制解析和质量性状形成的遗传机制解析等4个方面的精准应用,以期为蛋鸡基因组选择进入实质应用阶段提供科学依据和指导。     

Emerging technologies for identifying superior dairy cows in New Zealand

The performance of animals is determined by the interaction of their genes with environmental circumstances. Accordingly, animals exhibiting superior performance are not necessarily the animals with the best genes nor are they the best choice of parents. Statistical analyses of production records for repeated traits, e.g. lactation yields and reproductive performance, show that part of the variation in performance among animals in the same herd and year is due to genetic differences, and the remainder is due to so-called residual or environmental factors that are not passed on to offspring. These within-herd environmental factors can be partitioned into a component that affects performance throughout an animal's lifetime, and a part that is unique to each observation. The process of animal evaluation from pedigree and performance records partitions the superiority of each cow into these three components. Reliable assessment of the genetic merit of bulls has required progeny testing, and for cows has required observation of their own individual performance. Selection on the genetic or breeding value component has systematically improved animal performance over recent decades, but has been limited by the age at which assessments of genetic merit are available. Emerging molecular technologies can read DNA sequences or measure RNA expression and have allowed the identification of a number of chromosome regions, and a few specific genes in those regions, that influence economic performance. This information allows better characterisation of the relationships between animals and more accurate predictions of genetic merit in bulls without progeny information and in cows that have yet to produce their own performance record. At some stage, enough genes responsible for variation in performance will be identified to allow faster genetic progress through selection of animals at young ages and therefore more rapid turnover of the generations. Mechanisms that modify gene expression have been identified and these may ultimately allow animals to be selected at an early age for lifetime productivity, accounting for processes that modify gene expression and lead to differences in performance that are not reflected by DNA sequence information. This review describes the status of these emerging technologies and their likely role in the improvement of dairy cattle.     

P-glycoprotein selection in strains of Haemonchus contortus resistant to benzimidazoles

Anthelmintic resistance in parasitic nematodes of livestock is a chronic problem in many parts of the world. Benzimidazoles are effective, broad-spectrum anthelmintics that bind to and selectively depolymerise microtubules. Resistance to the benzimidazoles, however, developed quickly and is caused by genetic changes in genes encoding beta-tubulins, subunits of microtubules. In Haemonchus contortus, resistance to avermectins has been correlated with genetic changes at a gene encoding a P-glycoprotein, a cell membrane transport protein that has a very high affinity for ivermectin. The substrate specificity of P-glycoprotein is very broad, and resistance to benzimidazoles can be modulated by lectins specific for P-glycoprotein. We investigated the possibility that genetic changes in P-glycoprotein might be correlated with benzimidazole resistance in nematodes. An analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphisms of a P-glycoprotein gene from a sensitive and a cambendazole-selected strain of H. contortus, derived from the sensitive strain, showed a significant difference in allele frequencies between strains. The frequency of one allele in particular increased substantially. The same allele was also found at a high frequency in an independently derived thiabendazole-selected field isolate. We present genetic evidence of selection at a P-glycoprotein locus during selection for benzimidzole resistance in H. contortus.     

Emerging technologies for identifying superior dairy cows in New Zealand

The performance of animals is determined by the interaction of their genes with environmental circumstances. Accordingly, animals exhibiting superior performance are not necessarily the animals with the best genes nor are they the best choice of parents. Statistical analyses of production records for repeated traits, e.g. lactation yields and reproductive performance, show that part of the variation in performance among animals in the same herd and year is due to genetic differences, and the remainder is due to so-called residual or environmental factors that are not passed on to offspring. These within-herd environmental factors can be partitioned into a component that affects performance throughout an animal's lifetime, and a part that is unique to each observation. The process of animal evaluation from pedigree and performance records partitions the superiority of each cow into these three components. Reliable assessment of the genetic merit of bulls has required progeny testing, and for cows has required observation of their own individual performance. Selection on the genetic or breeding value component has systematically improved animal performance over recent decades, but has been limited by the age at which assessments of genetic merit are available.

Emerging molecular technologies can read DNA sequences or measure RNA expression and have allowed the identification of a number of chromosome regions, and a few specific genes in those regions, that influence economic performance. This information allows better characterisation of the relationships between animals and more accurate predictions of genetic merit in bulls without progeny information and in cows that have yet to produce their own performance record. At some stage, enough genes responsible for variation in performance will be identified to allow faster genetic progress through selection of animals at young ages and therefore more rapid turnover of the generations. Mechanisms that modify gene expression have been identified and these may ultimately allow animals to be selected at an early age for lifetime productivity, accounting for processes that modify gene expression and lead to differences in performance that are not reflected by DNA sequence information. This review describes the status of these emerging technologies and their likely role in the improvement of dairy cattle.     

Development and Application of Genomic Selection Signature Methods in Livestock Species

The economic traits of livestock has been significantly improved due to long-term under natural and artificial selection,and the specific variation characterizations emerged from the selected genome regions.As time goes on,the some polymorphism frequency of gene has dropped or disappeared,and keep in a group contains a single haploid type of multiple genes.This frequency variation of gene in specific region on the genomes is called the signatures of selection.Identifying signatures of selection can provide a straightforward insight into the mechaism of domestication and further uncover the casual genes related to the phenotypic variation.The high density SNP chips and large scale resequencing technology have been successfully applied to genomic selection signature in livestock breeds.The methods to detect selection signatures can be classed into three categories:Site frequency spectrum based methods,haplotyped based methods and population differentiation based methods.In the present article,we summarized the methods of selection signature detection and development and application of genomic selection signature methods in livestock.It will provide useful information for researchers working with breeding and evolutionary biology.     

Pharmacogenetics of opioid analgesics in dogs

Genetic variation causes interindividual variability in drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion. These pharmacokinetic processes will influence the observed efficacy and toxicity of a drug. Polymorphisms in the genes encoding the metabolizing enzymes, transport proteins and receptors have been linked to the inconsistency in responses to opioid treatment in humans and laboratory animals. Pharmacogenetics is relatively less developed field in veterinary medicine compared to significant advances in knowledge on genetic basis of variation in drug responses and clinical applications in human medicine. This review discusses the opioid drug metabolism and possible genetic polymorphism of metabolizing enzymes in dogs. Polymorphism of genes encoding opioid drug transporter proteins and its effect on opioid response and opioid receptor gene variants are also discussed. Due to the scarcity of studies reported on opioid pharmacogenetics in dogs, relevant studies in humans and rodents have also been discussed to indicate current trends and potential targets for research in dogs.     

全基因组选择信号检测方法在家畜研究中的应用进展

长期的自然和人为选择使家畜品种经济性状得到了显著改善,其相关的基因组区域也发生了特定遗传变异。随着时间的推移部分基因多态性已经下降或消失,而在群体中保留包含单一单倍型的多个基因。这种基因组上特定区域基因多态性频率的变异被称为选择信号。识别选择信号可以提供家畜驯化机制并进一步揭示表型相关的基因变异。目前,高密度SNP芯片及大规模重测序技术已成功应用于家畜选择信号鉴定研究。全基因组选择信号检测方法有等位基因频率检测法、连锁不平衡检测法和群体分化分析法。作者综述了全基因组范围内选择信号检测方法及其在家畜研究中的应用进展,为从事家畜育种及生物进化研究人员提供参考。     

An evaluation of four candidate genes for use in selection programmes aimed at increased intramuscular fat in Duroc swine

Summary A sufficient level of intramuscular fat (IMF) is needed to enhance consumer acceptance of pork products, and is currently receiving greater attention within swine genetic improvement programmes. An examination of previously described and novel genetic variants within candidate genes for IMF deposition was performed to evaluate potential use of genetic markers in marker-assisted selection (MAS). Biological candidate genes implicated to play a role in adipogenesis were investigated within two different lines of purebred Duroc pigs. These included MC4R , FABP3 , DLK1 , and TCF7L2 . Significant variation in IMF within the control line was described by the MC4R genotype and a novel Bsr fI single nucleotide polymorphism within the FABP3 gene. Genetic markers for DLK1 and TCF7L2 evaluated in this population are not currently recommended for selection in Duroc swine. Existence of MC4R and FABP3 mutations may be useful markers in MAS aimed at IMF improvement, provided that gene effects are segregating and the presence of an association is detected within the population. However, additional work to confirm the use of the investigated genetic markers in selection programmes is needed.     

Intraspecific variation in the 16S rRNA gene sequences of Mycoplasma agalactiae and Mycoplasma bovis strains

Intraspecific variation in the 16S rRNA genes of 17 Mycoplasma agalactiae and eight Mycoplasma bovis isolates was investigated to determine the degree of sequence variation in these two species and to determine whether the polymorphisms in the 16S rRNA genes could be used for the construction of an evolutionary tree and as epidemiological markers. A high degree of variation was found within isolates (between operons) and between isolates of both species. In contrast to M. capripneumoniae no distinct evolutionary pattern could be seen, probably because there are functional systems for gene conversion in M. agalactiae and M. bovis. However, the non-European isolates of M. agalactiae shared three characteristic nucleotides and European isolates from the same or neighbouring countries were very similar. Differences within isolates included both polymorphic positions and sequence length differences between operons. The amount of variation within isolates of the respective species ranged from zero to seven polymorphisms for M. agalactiae and from zero to four polymorphisms for M. bovis. The high degree of variation suggests the potential for misdiagnosis of species in diagnostic PCR assays based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences. All isolates of both species had a thymidine in position 912 (E. coli numbering) that causes streptomycin resistance in several bacterial species and which is characteristic for the members of the hominis group. As expected, when five M. agalactiae and three M. bovis isolates were tested for streptomycin susceptibility, they all demonstrated streptomycin resistance. M. agalactiae and M. bovis were found to have high intraspecific variation in their 16S rRNA gene and the polymorphisms patterns indicate that gene conversion takes place.     

Effects of balancing selection and microhabitat temperature variations on heat tolerance of the intertidal black mussel Septifer virgatus

Realistic assessments of the impacts of global warming on population extinction risk are likely to require an integrated analysis of the roles of standing genetic variation, microhabitat thermal complexity, and the inter‐individual variation of heat tolerance due to both genetic differences and seasonal acclimatization effects. Here, we examine whether balancing selection and microhabitat temperature heterogeneity can interact to enhance the population persistence to thermal stress for the black mussel Septifer virgatus. We deployed biomimetic data loggers on the shore to measure the microhabitat‐specific thermal variation from June 2014 to April 2016. Thermal tolerance of specimens was indexed by measuring effects of temperature on heart rate. Genotyping of specimens was performed using double digestion restriction association RADSeq (ddRADseq). Our results show that inter‐individual variations in thermal tolerance correlate significantly with genetic differences at some specific gene loci, and that heterozygotes have higher thermal tolerances than homozygotes. The observed seasonal changes in genotype frequency suggest that these loci are under balancing selection. The ability of thermally resistant heterozygotes to survive in sun‐exposed microhabitats acts to balance the loss of homozygotes during summer and enable the persistence of genetic polymorphisms. Population persistence of the mussel is also facilitated by the micro‐scale variation in temperature, which provides refugia from thermal stress. Our results emphasize that inter‐individual variation in thermal tolerance and in microhabitat heterogeneity in temperature are important for the persistence of populations in rocky shore habitats.     

Molecular genetics of behaviour: research strategies and perspectives for animal production

Genetic factors are undoubtedly involved in inter-individual variability of the behaviours that may be important for livestock production, as shown by pedigree studies, comparison of genetic stocks raised in the same environment, and selection experiments. The knowledge of gene polymorphisms responsible for genetic variability would increase the efficiency of selection, as shown for instance by the identification of the ryanodine receptor gene that harbours the mutations responsible for the porcine stress syndrome, that allows the eradication of the susceptibility allele. One strategy is to screen systematically the genes that are known to be involved in regulation of behaviour (functional candidate genes). This strategy is however very difficult for most behavioural traits, since behaviour is an emerging function from the whole brain/body and the molecular pathways involved in genetic variability are very poorly understood. Another strategy is to investigate linkage between trait variation and genetic markers in a segregating population (usually an intercross or backcross between two strains or breeds contrasting for the trait under study). It allows the detection of genomic regions influencing that trait (quantitative trait loci or QTL), and further investigation aims at the identification of the gene(s) located in each of these regions and the molecular polymorphisms involved in phenotypic variation. Although many QTL have been published for behavioural traits in experimental animals, very few examples are available where strong candidate genes have been identified. Further progress will be very much dependent upon the careful definition of behavioural traits to be studied (including their importance for animal production), on the reliability of their measurement in a large number of animals and on the efficient mastering of environmental factors of variability. The fast increase in the knowledge of genome sequence in several species will undoubtedly facilitate the application to farm animal species of the knowledge obtained in model organisms, as well as the use of model organisms to explore candidate genes detected by QTL studies in farm animals.     

Sequence of the domestic duck (Anas platyrhynchos) growth hormone-encoding gene and genetic variation in the promoter region

The duck growth hormone encoding gene and its promoter region were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 5.25 kb were cloned and sequenced. Duck growth hormone (GH) consists of five exons and four introns and is structurally similar to mammalian and chicken GH gene. Although the distal region of duck GH promoter showed no similarity to chicken and turkey promoters, the proximal region of the promoter contained two putative Pit‐1 binding sequences, and showed similarity to chicken and turkey GH promoters. Genetic variation was detected at five positions of the promoter region. The results of this study indicate that the expression of duck GH is likely regulated in a similar manner to that of chicken GH via enhancer‐type cis‐acting elements and the presence of genetic variation in the duck GH gene may be applicable to marker‐assisted selection.     

Genes controlling vaccine responses and disease resistance to respiratory viral pathogens in cattle

Farm animals remain at risk of endemic, exotic and newly emerging viruses. Vaccination is often promoted as the best possible solution, and yet for many pathogens, either there are no appropriate vaccines or those that are available are far from ideal. A complementary approach to disease control may be to identify genes and chromosomal regions that underlie genetic variation in disease resistance and response to vaccination. However, identification of the causal polymorphisms is not straightforward as it generally requires large numbers of animals with linked phenotypes and genotypes. Investigation of genes underlying complex traits such as resistance or response to viral pathogens requires several genetic approaches including candidate genes deduced from knowledge about the cellular pathways leading to protection or pathology, or unbiased whole genome scans using markers spread across the genome. Evidence for host genetic variation exists for a number of viral diseases in cattle including bovine respiratory disease and anecdotally, foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV). We immunised and vaccinated a cattle cross herd with a 40-mer peptide derived from FMDV and a vaccine against bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV). Genetic variation has been quantified. A candidate gene approach has grouped high and low antibody and T cell responders by common motifs in the peptide binding pockets of the bovine major histocompatibility complex (BoLA) DRB3 gene. This suggests that vaccines with a minimal number of epitopes that are recognised by most cattle could be designed. Whole genome scans using microsatellite and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers has revealed many novel quantitative trait loci (QTL) and SNP markers controlling both humoral and cell-mediated immunity, some of which are in genes of known immunological relevance including the toll-like receptors (TLRs). The sequencing, assembly and annotation of livestock genomes and is continuing apace. In addition, provision of high-density SNP chips should make it possible to link phenotypes with genotypes in field populations without the need for structured populations or pedigree information. This will hopefully enable fine mapping of QTL and ultimate identification of the causal gene(s). The research could lead to selection of animals that are more resistant to disease and new ways to improve vaccine efficacy.     

High genetic diversity in the endangered and narrowly distributed amphibian species Leptobrachium leishanense

Threatened species typically have a small or declining population size, which make them highly susceptible to loss of genetic diversity through genetic drift and inbreeding. Genetic diversity determines the evolutionary potential of a species; therefore, maintaining the genetic diversity of threatened species is essential for their conservation. In this study, we assessed the genetic diversity of the adaptive major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes in an endangered and narrowly distributed amphibian species, Leptobrachium leishanense in Southwest China. We compared the genetic variation of MHC class I genes with that observed in neutral markers (5 microsatellite loci and cytochrome b gene) to elucidate the relative roles of genetic drift and natural selection in shaping the current MHC polymorphism in this species. We found a high level of genetic diversity in this population at both MHC and neutral markers compared with other threatened amphibian species. Historical positive selection was evident in the MHC class I genes. The higher allelic richness in MHC markers compared with that of microsatellite loci suggests that selection rather than genetic drift plays a prominent role in shaping the MHC variation pattern, as drift can affect all the genome in a similar way but selection directly targets MHC genes. Although demographic analysis revealed no recent bottleneck events in L. leishanense, additional population decline will accelerate the dangerous status for this species. We suggest that the conservation management of L. leishanense should concentrate on maximizing the retention of genetic diversity through preventing their continuous population decline. Protecting their living habitats and forbidding illegal hunting are the most important measures for conservation of L. leishanense.     

The Polymorphisms of MSTN Gene and Its Relationship with Meat Quanlity Traits in Gaopo Pig

To explore the influence of Gaopo pig myostatin (MSTN) gene polymorphism on meat quanlity traits (moisture,crude fat,crude protein,crude ash, loin muscle area, marbling score, pH value, color of meat,tenderness,drip loss, water loss rate), MSTN gene was chosen as a candidate gene for research meat quality traits in this study. 50 Gaopo pigs at 10 months old were selected,the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of three exons of MSTN gene in Gaopo pig were detected by direct sequencing of PCR amplification products, and the correlation between MSTN gene SNP and meat quality traits was analyzed using SPSS 20.0 software. The results showed that a C/T mutation had been found at 63 bp of MSTN gene exon 3,the site was silent mutation, and did not caused changes of encoding amino acid. Genotype analysis showed only three samples had mutations in the site, CC genotype was the dominant type and allele C was the dominant gene, but there was no TT homozygous genotype. The test of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium showed the research group obeyed the genetic equilibrium (P>0.05). Population genetic parameter analysis showed the heterozygosity (He) of C63T was lower, and had a low variation in Gaopo pig population. Polymorphism information content (PIC) analysis showed that it was a low polymorphic loci (PIC<0.25), and the site could provide a little genetic imformation. There was no significant difference between the different genotypes and meat quality traits (P>0.05).Given the above, the polymorphism of MSTNgene exon was found in Gaopo pig, with less variation and relatively conservative.It's needed to expand the number of sample for further explore whether the site could be considered as genetic markers for meat quality traits of Gaopo pig or not.