Two single nucleotide polymorphisms in the promoter of the ovine myostatin gene (MSTN) and their effect on growth and carcass muscle traits in New Zealand Romney sheep

Myostatin is a negative regulator of muscle growth and development in mammals, and variation in ovine myostatin gene (MSTN) has been demonstrated to be associated with variation in the muscularity of sheep. Polymerase chain reaction–single‐stranded conformational polymorphism (PCR–SSCP) was used to look for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a 304‐bp amplicon from the promoter region of ovine MSTN. Sequence analyses revealed two previously identified SNPs (c.?2449G/C and c. ?2379T/C) that resulted in three haplotypes (H₁ (c.[?2449G; ?2379C]), H₂ (c.[?2449C; ?2379C]) and H₃ (c.[?2449G; ?2379T]). The effect of these SNPs on growth and carcass traits was investigated in 357 NZ Romney lambs. General linear mixed‐effect models revealed that sheep with the genotype c.?2449GC had a higher loin meat yield (p = 0.032) and proportion loin yield (p = 0.028), than those with the genotype c.?2449GG. The genotype c.?2379CC was associated with an increase in three weight traits: birthweight (p = 0.003), tailing weight (p = 0.009) and weaning weight (p = 0.028), when compared with the genotype c.?2379TC, but it was not found to have an association with growth rate. This suggests that c.?2379T/C has an effect that originates at, or before birth. Haplotype H₃ was associated with a decrease in birthweight (p = 0.002), tailing weight (p = 0.003) and weaning weight (p = 0.011). Haplotype H₂ was associated with increased loin yield (p = 0.012) and proportion loin yield (p = 0.002). The SNPs may have value as genetic markers for improved Romney breeding.     

Study on association of single nucleotide polymorphism of CAPN1 gene with muscle fibre and carcass traits in quality chicken populations

This study was aimed at investigating the effect of the calpain 1 (CAPN1) gene on carcass and meat quality traits in eight meat-type chicken populations, including five pure lines (developed from Chinese local breeds) and three cross-breeds. Primer pairs for the Coding Sequence (CDS) region in CAPN1 were designed from the chicken genomic sequence database. Polymorphisms were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism (SSCP) and DNA sequencing. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP; C2546T, G3535A and C7198A) were detected among individuals in each population. The associations of their haplotypes (H1 = CGA, H2 = CGC, H3 = CAA, H4 = CAC, H5 = TGA and H7 = TAA) with chicken breast muscle fibre and carcass traits were analysed. Results showed that the haplotypes were associated with live weight (LW), carcass weight (CW), breast muscle weight (BMW) and leg muscle weight (LMW) (p < 0.05), and were also related to eviscerated percentage (%EP) and breast muscle fibre density (p < 0.01). H1H3 haplotype was dominant for LW, CW and BMW; H1H5 haplotype was dominant for EP; H3H4 haplotype was dominant for LMW and H1H1 haplotype was dominant for BFD. It was concluded that the CAPN1 gene may be a major gene affecting meat quality traits of chicken or it is linked with the major gene. H1H3, H1H5 and H3H4 were the most advantageous haplotypes for carcass traits whereas H1H1 was the positive haplotype for breast muscle fibre trait.     

Association of single nucleotide polymorphism of chicken uncoupling protein gene with muscle and fatness traits

Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are in the mitochondrial inner membrane and belong to the transporter family. The biological function of UCPs is regulating discharge of proton gradient generated by the respiratory chain. As a result, the production of ATP is diminished, and dissipative heat is yielded. The present study was designed to investigate the association of UCP gene with chicken growth and body composition traits. The ninth generation of the broiler lines divergently selected for abdominal fat was used as a research population. Primers for UCP gene were designed from chicken genomic sequence. A single-nucleotide polymorphism, in the exon3 (T1316C) of UCP gene was detected by the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. The UCP polymorphism was associated with muscle and fatness traits, such as pectoralis minor weight and abdominal fat weight. The results indicated that UCP gene could be a candidate locus or linked to a major gene which affects muscle and fatness traits in chicken.     

鸡钙蛋白酶抑制蛋白基因多态性及其与肉质性状的相关性

为探讨钙蛋白酶抑制蛋白(Calpastatin,CAST)基因作为影响鸡肉质性状候选基因的可能性,本研究以8个优质鸡新品系为试验材料,采用PCR-SSCP方法对CAST基因的部分编码区进行单核苷酸多态性(SNPs)检测。结果发现了CAST基因1个多态性位点(G→T),使试验鸡群表现出AA、BB和AB这3种基因型。利用SAS(8.01)软件统计分析了3种基因型与优质鸡肉质性状的相关性,结果表明,CAST基因的多态性对鸡肌内脂肪含量、肌纤维密度和直径有显著的影响(P0.05),对其他肉质性状无显著影响(P0.05);推测CAST基因可能对鸡肉质性状具有很大的影响或与控制肉质性状的主基因连锁。     

边鸡MSTN基因C.234位点对生长性状的遗传效应分析

采用PCR-RFLP技术检测连续2个世代边鸡群体肌肉生长抑制素基因外显子1的多态性,分析了多态位点对边鸡生长性状的遗传效应。结果表明,边鸡MSTN基因的C.234位点存在多态性,在外显子1编码区的234bp处发生G→A的碱基突变,产生了GG、GA和AA 3种基因型。关联分析表明,无论是一世代还是二世代的边鸡群体,在6~16周龄时,AA和GA基因型边鸡的体质量均显著或极显著的高于GG基因型（P〈0.05或P〈0.01）。结果提示,MSTN基因外显子1的C.234位点突变对边鸡的生长性状具有显著的遗传效应,初步推断该位点可用于边鸡生长性状的标记辅助选择。     

沃金黑牛GPR41基因多态性及其与不同阶段生长性状的相关性分析

[目的]研究旨在探讨GPR41基因多态性对沃金黑牛不同阶段生长性状的影响。[方法]试验共选取63头沃金黑牛(去势公牛)为研究对象,采用Sanger测序技术法检测单核苷酸多态性(SNP)位点,利用Haploview软件进行单倍型分析。利用“牛等家养动物群体遗传分析工具V1.0”评价沃金黑牛群体遗传结构,利用SPSS 19.0软件分析GPR41基因多态性与生长性状的相关性。[结果]结果发现,沃金黑牛GPR41基因外显子2存在2个突变位点,分别为S1:Chr18:46058902 bp处的G/T突变和S2:Chr18:46058908 bp处的C/T突变;S1、S2位点多态性与沃金黑牛不同生长阶段部分生长性状存在显著相关(P<0.05);2个SNPs位点共形成3种有效单倍型组合,单倍型组合H2H2(TT/CC)显著影响沃金黑牛体斜长与背膘厚。[结论]结果表明,GPR41基因SNP位点存在遗传多态性,可用于沃金黑牛(去势公牛)主要生长性状的基因标记参考、稳定与优化。     

MC3R基因对京海黄鸡屠体性状的遗传效应分析

本研究以MC3R基因为鸡屠体性状的候选基因,旨在探讨其对京海黄鸡屠体性状的影响。运用PCR-SSCP方法结合测序技术,检测了MC3R基因在京海黄鸡群体中的多态性,并采用一般线性模型(GLM)分析基因型与屠体性状的遗传效应。结果显示,MC3R基因CDS序列检测区内,引物MR2、MR3和MR8扩增的片段具有多态性,其中引物MR2和MR3扩增片段均存在2个SNP位点,分别形成AA、AB、AC 3种基因型和EE、EF、FF、EH 4种基因型,引物MR8扩增片段只存在1个SNP位点,形成了KK、KL和LL 3种基因型;检测到的5个SNPs位点分别为CDS区C160A、G192T、C273T、G310A、G762A突变。关联分析结果显示,MR2位点对京海黄鸡各屠体性状(除腹脂质量)均有极显著影响(P0.01);MR3位点各基因型(排除个体数少于3的基因型)屠体性状间差异均不显著(P0.05),推断MR3位点对京海黄鸡屠体性状影响不显著(P0.05);MR8位点对京海黄鸡屠体质量、胸肌质量、腿肌质量、全净膛质量、半净膛质量有极显著影响(P0.01),对活体质量和腹脂质量有显著影响(P0.05)。对MR2和MR8 2个位点的效应进行联合分析,结果显示,2个位点组合基因型对所有屠体性状均有显著或极显著影响(P0.05或P0.01),其中AB/KK基因型组合为有利基因型组合,AA/LL基因型组合为不利基因型组合。因此,本研究可为京海黄鸡分子标记辅助育种提供依据,有利于加快对京海黄鸡屠体性状选择的育种进程,同时通过本研究可推测MC3R基因对家禽的屠体性状具有很大的遗传效应,为家禽育种工作提供理论依据。     

Variation at the insulin-like growth factor 1 gene and its association with body weight traits in the chicken

The insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) is essential for normal embryonic and postnatal growth in mammals. In this study, a total of 342 F(2) individuals, derived from Broiler crossing to Baier layer (Northeast Agricultural University Resource Population, NEAURP), were used to investigate the associations of haplotypes in the chicken IGF1 (cIGF1) gene with body weight traits. Primers for the 5'-flanking, exon 3 and 3'-flanking regions of cIGF1 were designed according to chicken genome database. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) between parental lines were detected by sequencing, and PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and PCR single-stranded-conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) methods were used to genotype the SNPs in the population. Haplotypes were constructed with the three SNPs detected. The association analysis showed that haplotypes based on three cIGF1 polymorphisms (c.-366A>C, c.528G>A and c.*1024C>T) were associated with body weight traits, suggesting that cIGF1 or a tightly linked gene had effects on body weight in the chicken.     

黔北麻羊FABP3基因多态性及其与生长性状的相关性研究

旨在探究脂肪酸结合蛋白(FABP3)基因在黔北麻羊中的遗传多态性,进一步揭示FABP3基因与黔北麻羊生长性状间的关联性,为今后运用分子标记辅助育种方法提高黔北麻羊的生长性状提供理论依据。本研究以120只6月龄黔北麻羊为试验对象,采用PCR产物直接测序技术检测FABP3基因全部外显子区的遗传多态性,并与体重、体高、体斜长、胸围、管围等生长性状进行关联性分析。结果:在黔北麻羊FABP3基因第5外显子和3′非翻译区筛选出2个SNPs位点,分别为g.13665051C>T和g.13664737G>A,其中g.13665051C>T位点为同义突变,产生3种基因型:CC、CT和TT,g.13664737G>A位点产生3种基因型:GG、AG和AA,卡方(χ²)检验结果显示,这2个SNPs位点处于中度多态且在黔北麻羊群体中均未偏离Hardy-Weinberg平衡(P>0.05)。关联分析显示,g.13665051C>T位点中CT基因型个体的体高、体斜长、胸宽和管围显著高于CC和TT基因型个体(P<0.05);CT基因型个体的胸深、胸围显著...     

STAT5b基因的遗传多态性及其与京海黄鸡体重和繁殖性状的关联分析

以京海黄鸡、AA鸡、尤溪麻鸡、边鸡等4个鸡品种为研究对象,采用PCR-SSCP方法检测信号转导和转录激活子5b(STAT5b)第7外显子和部分内含子7的多态性,并分析其对京海黄鸡体重和繁殖性状的遗传效应。结果显示,在STAT5b第7内含子区域检测到1处突变(8 066bp C→T)。在4个鸡品种中均检测到AA、AB、BB 3种基因型,χ2检验结果表明,除京海黄鸡外其余3个品种群体在该座位均达到Hardy-Weinberg平衡(P>0.05)。最小二乘分析表明,京海黄鸡3种基因型个体的出生重和开产日龄存在显著差异(P<0.05)。     

如皋鸡NLRC5基因外显子8多态性及其与部分免疫指标的关联分析

采用PCR-SSCP技术对中国地方鸡种如皋鸡NLRC5基因外显子8多态性进行检测,结果检测到AA和AB2种基因型,基因型频率分别为0.867 9和0.132 1,X2适合性检验表明如皋鸡NLRC5基因外显子8等位基因的分布处于Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态。序列分析结果显示,NLRC5基因外显子8存在G43A同义突变。测定部分免疫指标,分析不同周龄如皋鸡个体免疫指标的差异以及12周龄如皋鸡2种基因型与免疫指标间的关联性,结果表明：IgM含量和IgG含量变化比较一致,随周龄不断降低;2周龄IgM含量显著高于4、6、8、10、12周龄（P〈0.05）;12、10、8周龄IgG含量极显著低于2、4、6周龄（P〈0.01）;淋巴细胞转化率在12周龄达到最大值为33.742%,极显著高于其他周龄（P〈0.01）;12周龄AA型个体的IgM和IgG含量、淋巴细胞转化率均高于AB型个体,但差异并不显著（P〉0.05）。     

澳系进口荷斯坦奶牛CXCR1基因遗传多态性与泌乳性状及体细胞评分的关联性分析

采用聚合酶链式反应-单链构象多态性（PCR—SSCP）技术对以海丰奶牛场588头澳系进口荷斯坦牛牛趋化因子受体1（Chemokine receptor1,CXCR1）基因的遗传多态性进行分析;采用混合动物模型分析CXCRl基因2个突变位点与测定日产奶量、乳脂率、乳蛋白率、305d产奶量、305d乳脂量、305d乳蛋白量及体细胞评分7个性状的相关性,寻找可用于生产实际的分子标记。结果显示,CXCR1基因5’侧翼区-1830位点发生了A—G的突变,检测到AA、AG和GG3种基因型,频率分别为0．684、0．289和0．027,等位基因A和G的频率分别为0．828和0．172;GG基因型奶牛的日产奶量、SCS和305d产奶量均板显著高于AA基因型（P〈0．01）,而其乳脂率和乳蛋白率却显著低于AA基因型奶牛（P〈0．05）。编码区783位点仅发现AA和AC2种基因型,基因型频率分别为0．886和0．114,等住基因A和c的频率分别为0．943和0．057。AA型的个体的日产奶量、305d脂肪产量和305d蛋白产量极显著高于AC型个体,而其乳脂率、乳蛋白率和SCS却极显著低于AC型个体（P〈O．01）。结果表明,CXCR1基因遗传突变对澳系进口荷斯坦牛泌乳性状和乳房炎抗性有较大的遗传效应,可用于澳系进口荷斯坦牛的分子标记辅助选择。     

鸡Hsc70基因5′侧翼区SNP与耐热性状的相关分析

为研究Hsc70基因作为鸡抗病育种中一种分子标记的可能性,本试验利用克隆测序技术对清远麻鸡、广东温氏矮脚黄鸡、灵山鸡和隐性白羽洛克鸡4个品种共20个个体Hsc70基因的5′侧翼区进行多态性筛查,发现10处变异,包括8个SNPs和2个插入/缺失突变。通过分析,选取C.-521A〉C位点,利用PCR-RFLP方法分析了此位点在灵山鸡和隐性白羽洛克鸡群体中的基因型分布,所得分型结果与测定的耐热性状（T3、皮质酮、CD3＋、CD4＋和CD8＋）进行关联分析,结果表明：常温状态下（15℃）,在隐性白羽洛克鸡群体中,位点C.-521A〉C与CD3＋、CD4＋和CD8＋显著相关（P〈0.05）,其中AA基因型个体CD3＋值显著低于AC基因型个体,而CD4＋与CD8＋值显著高于AC基因型个体;热应激状态下（35℃）,在灵山鸡群体中,位点C.-521A〉C与CD8＋极显著相关（P〈0.01）,CC基因型个体CD8＋值极显著高于AA和AC基因型。     

Association analysis of novel polymorphisms in 2′, 5′‐oligoadenylate synthetase gene with reproductive traits in indigenous and cross‐bred cattle of Indian Origin

2′, 5′‐Oligoadenylate synthetases (OAS) are important components of an interferon‐mediated antiviral pathway. No polymorphisms in exonic regions of bovine OAS1 gene have been identified and associated with reproduction traits. The objective of the study was to detect and evaluate the effects of mutations in exonic region of bovine OAS1 gene with reproduction traits in cattle. DNA samples collected from 250 individual cows of two Indian dairy breeds (Sahiwal and Frieswal) of cattle were used in the study. The genetic variants of the OAS1 gene were identified with polymerase chain reaction–single‐strand conformation polymorphism (PCR‐SSCP) and sequence analysis using seven set of primer pairs. The PCR‐SSCP analysis revealed polymorphism in the fragments comprising of exon 2, exon 5 and first fragment of exon 6 while the fragments of exons 1, 3, 4 and second fragment of exon 6 were monomorphic in Sahiwal and Frieswal cattle. The mutations in the amplified region comprising of exon 2 were found to have significant association with age at first breeding and calving, service period, dry period and pregnancy rate. Significant associations were found between SNPs in the exon 5 and service and dry periods of the animal, whereas the genetic variants in the first fragment of the exon 6 showed significant association with age at first breeding and calving. To our knowledge, this study demonstrated for the first time that the polymorphisms in OAS1 gene were associated with reproductive traits and it can be chosen as a candidate gene for improvement of reproductive performance of cattle.     

鸽黑素皮质素受体4基因多态性与生长性状及体组成的相关研究

通过比对GenBank中鸡、鹅黑素皮质素受体4（MC4R,melanocortin receptor）基因DNA序列,找出保守序列设计引物,克隆了鸽的MC4R基因编码区985bp序列,与鹅、鸡、短尾猊、北极狐和犬类的同源性分别为94%、94%、91%、84%和84%。利用PCR-SSCP技术和DNA测序方法检测两群体鸽MC4R基因编码区序列的单核苷酸多态性,共检测出两个多态位点,最小二乘分析表明,T933C基因型对肉鸽群体活重、屠体重、全净膛有显著影响（P＜0.05）,对野生鸽群体生长性状无影响（P＞0.2）,多重比较显示,该位点AA基因型个体的活重、屠体重、全净膛显著高于BB基因型个体（P＜0.05）。MC4R基因可能是影响鸽生长性状和体组成的主效基因或与主效基因相连锁。     

Expression profiles and associations of muscle regulatory factor (MRF) genes with growth traits in Tibetan chickens

1. Muscle regulatory factors (MRFs), including Myf5, Myf6 (MRF4/herculin), MyoD and MyoG (myogenin), play pivotal roles in muscle growth and development. Therefore, they are considered as candidate genes for meat production traits in livestock and poultry.

2. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression profiles of these genes in skeletal muscles (breast muscle and thigh muscle) at 5 developmental stages (0, 81, 119, 154 and 210 d old) of Tibetan chickens. Relationships between expressions of these genes and growth and carcass traits in these chickens were also estimated.

3. The expression profiles showed that in the breast muscle of both genders the mRNA levels of MRF genes were highest on the day of hatching, then declined significantly from d 0 to d 81, and fluctuated in a certain range from d 81 to d 210. However, the expression of Myf5, Myf6 and MyoG reached peaks in the thigh muscle in 118-d-old females and for MyoD in 154-d-old females, whereas the mRNA amounts of MRF genes in the male thigh muscle were in a narrow range from d 0 to d 210.

4. Correlation analysis suggested that gender had an influence on the relationships of MRF gene expression with growth traits. The RNA levels of MyoD, Myf5 genes in male breast muscle were positively related with several growth traits of Tibetan chickens (P < 0.05). No correlation was found between expressions of MRF genes and carcass traits of the chickens.

5. These results will provide a base for functional studies of MRF genes on growth and development of Tibetan chickens, as well as selective breeding and resource exploration.     

Relationship of the bovine growth hormone gene to carcass traits in Japanese black cattle.

The bovine growth hormone gene (bGH) possesses three haplotypes, A, B and C, that differ by amino acid mutations at positions 127 and 172 in the fifth exon: (leucine 127, threonine 172), (valine 127, threonine 172) and (valine 127, methionine 172) respectively. The correlation between meat quality or carcass weight and these haplotypes was investigated in Japanese black cattle. Altogether, 940 bGH haplotypes were compared with respect to six carcass traits: carcass weight, longissimus muscle area, rib thickness, subcutaneous fat thickness, beef marbling score and beef colour. The frequency of the B haplotype was higher (0.421) than that of A (0.269) and C (0.311). High carcass weight and low beef marbling were associated with haplotype A (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively), whereas beef marbling was increased by haplotype C (p < 0.05). Estimated regression coefficient of the A haplotype substitution effect for carcass weight and beef marbling score were 5.55 (13.1% of the phenotypic SD) and -0.31 (17.0%) respectively. That of the C haplotype for beef marbling score was 0.20 (11.0%). The other traits showed no relationship to the haplotypes examined. The results of this investigation suggest that information pertaining to bGH polymorphisms in Japanese black cattle could be used to improve the selection of meat traits.     

Differential promoter methylation of DAZL gene in bulls with varying seminal parameters

In India, cross‐breeding of indigenous cattle with exotic cattle such as Holstein Friesian and Jersey has been going on since last four decades to improve milk production. Although it has led to increased milk yield, the subfertility in male cross‐bred progeny has remained a significant problem. Epigenetic modifications (DNA methylation, histone modifications and chromatin remodelling) are regarded as key players influencing gene expression. DAZL gene plays an important role in germline development and gametogenesis. The methylation and mRNA expression level of this gene have been significantly negatively correlated in the testes of cattle–yak hybrids and their parents. This study analysed the methylation profile of DAZL gene promoter in bull spermatozoa in an attempt to speculate its role in cross‐bred cattle subfertility. Semen samples from Sahiwal, Holstein Friesian and Frieswal bulls (Sahiwal X Holstein Friesian) with varying semen motility parameters were collected, and DNA was isolated. Methylation‐specific primers were used to amplify part of promoter and exon 1 of DAZL gene using bisulphite‐converted DNA. The amplified products were sequenced after cloning in pTZ57R/T vector. Sequence analysis revealed significantly higher DNA methylation of DAZL gene in Frieswal bulls with poor motility (28.26%) as compared to medium (15.21%) and high motility phenotype (6.52%). In pure‐bred counterparts, Sahiwal and Holstein Friesian, epigenetic marks were more in the former (15.21%) than the latter (4.34%), but in both cases, the values were lower as compared to the poor motility Frieswal bulls. This suggests that differential hypermethylation of the CpG islands could possibly influence reproductive parameters in bovines.