Evaluation of candidate genes related to litter traits in Indian pig breeds

Improvement in litter traits is the key to profitable pig farming that directly enhances the economic standing of the farmers in developing countries. The present study aimed to explore oestrogen receptor (ESR), epidermal growth factor (EGF), follicle-stimulating hormone beta subunit (FSHβ), prolactin receptor (PRLR) and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) genes as possible candidate genetic markers for litter traits in indigenous pigs of India. The breeds included in the study were Ghungroo, Mali, Niang Megha and Tenyi Vo, and the reproductive traits considered were litter size at birth (LSB), number born alive (NBA), litter weight at birth (LWB), litter size at weaning (LSW) and litter weight at weaning (LWW) at their first parity. PCR-RFLP and primer-based mutation detection methods were used to identify polymorphism, and associations between the genotypes and the traits were analysed using a general linear model. The Ghungroo pigs recorded the best litter performances among the breeds (p < .05, LWB p < .01). Different alleles and genotypes of the genes under study were detected. Short interspersed nuclear element (SINE) −/− genotype of FSHβ revealed significantly higher litter traits (p < .05, LSB p < .01). The LWW was also found to be significantly influenced by ESR BB and AB, EGF AB and BB, and PRLR CC genotypes (p < .05). Although we did not find statistically significant and consistently superior litter traits with respect to different genotypes of other studied genes than genotype SINE −/− of the FSHβ, PRLR CC genotype demonstrated superior performances for all the litter traits. Our study revealed the FSHβ as a potential candidate genetic marker for litter traits in indigenous pig breeds of India.     

Long-term yield trend and sustainability of rainfed soybean–wheat system through farmyard manure application in a sandy loam soil of the Indian Himalayas

A long-term (30 years) soybean–wheat experiment was conducted at Hawalbagh, Almora, India to study the effects of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on grain yield trends of rainfed soybean (Glycine max)–wheat (Triticum aestivum) system and nutrient status (soil C, N, P and K) in a sandy loam soil (Typic Haplaquept). The unfertilized plot supported 0.56 Mg ha⁻¹ of soybean yield and 0.71 Mg ha⁻¹ of wheat yield (average yield of 30 years). Soybean responded to inorganic NPK application and the yield increased significantly to 0.87 Mg ha⁻¹ with NPK. Maximum yields of soybean (2.84 Mg ha⁻¹) and residual wheat (1.88 Mg ha⁻¹) were obtained in the plots under NPK + farmyard manure (FYM) treatment, which were significantly higher than yields observed under other treatments. Soybean yields in the plots under the unfertilized and the inorganic fertilizer treatments decreased with time, whereas yields increased significantly in the plots under N + FYM and NPK + FYM treatments. At the end of 30 years, total soil organic C (SOC) and total N concentrations increased in all the treatments. Soils under NPK + FYM-treated plots contained higher SOC and total N by 89 and 58% in the 0–45 cm soil layer, respectively, over that of the initial status. Hence, the decline in yields might be due to decline in available P and K status of soil. Combined use of NPK and FYM increased SOC, oxidizable SOC, total N, total P, Olsen P, and ammonium acetate exchangeable K by 37.8, 42.0, 20.8, 30.2, 25.0, and 52.7%, respectively, at 0–45 cm soil layer compared to application of NPK through inorganic fertilizers. However, the soil profiles under all the treatments had a net loss of nonexchangeable K, ranging from 172 kg ha⁻¹ under treatment NK to a maximum of 960 kg ha⁻¹ under NPK + FYM after 30 years of cropping. Depletion of available P and K might have contributed to the soybean yield decline in treatments where manure was not applied. The study also showed that although the combined NPK and FYM application sustained long-term productivity of the soybean–wheat system, increased K input is required to maintain soil nonexchangeable K level.     

Pathologic changes in extrahepatic organs and agglutinin response to Salmonella Gallinarum infection in Japanese quail fed Fusarium verticillioides culture material containing known levels of fumonisin B1

Three hundred 1-day-old Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were divided into two groups of 150 each. One group was maintained on quail mash alone, whereas Fusarium verticillioides culture material (FCM) was added to quail mash in the second group from 5 days of age and supplied 150 mg FB1/kg mash. At day 21, each group was further subdivided into two groups, yielding four groups with 75 birds apiece, which served as the control (group CX), the Salmonella Gallinarum alone group (group CS), the FB1 alone group (group FX), and the group fed FB1 and infected with Salmonella Gallinarum (group FS). An oral challenge with Salmonella Gallinarum organisms (2 x 10(4) colony-forming units [cfu]/ml) was given to groups CS and FS at 21 days of age. Three quail each, were necropsied on day 21 (0 day interval) from groups CX and FX, whereas at subsequent intervals, i.e., 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, and 21 days postinfection (DPI), they were sacrificed from all four groups (CX, CS, FX, and FS) to study the agglutinin response to Salmonella Gallinarum and pathologic changes. The agglutinin titers to Salmonella Gallinarum in the combination group (FS) were generally lower when compared with those in group CS. A reduction in the size of spleen along with depletion of white pulp, thinning of cardiomyocytes, lymphoid cell depletion from bursal follicles, and renal tubular nephrosis were characteristic pathologic changes in group FX. In contrast, there was mild to severe enlargement of spleen accompanied by necrosis and reticuloendothelial cell hyperplasia, pericarditis, myocarditis, and focal interstitial nephritis in groups CS. Similar but more severe lesions were observed in the combination group (FS). In addition, the flabby texture of heart, hydropericardium, and ascites were mainly observed in group FS. It is concluded that continuous presence of fumonisins at 150 mg/kg diet increases the severity of Salmonella Gallinarum infection in young Japanese quail.     

A pharmacological study of chloramphenicol in horses.

Pharmacological disposition of chloramphenicol was studied in horses. Minimum levels of the antibiotic (greater than or equal to 5 mu g/ml) in blood or plasma recommended to combat infections could not be achieved by 4.4 and 8.8 mg/kg I.V. or 30 and 50 mg/kg I.M. or 30 mg/kg oral (as palmitate salt) doses of chloramphenicol. Increasing the dose to 19.8 and 26.4 mg/kg I.V. provided such levels for about two and three hours respectively. A combination of 20 mg/kg I.V. and 30 mg/kg I.M. administered simultaneously did not provide more prolonged levels than 26.4 mg/kg I.V. alone. Chloramphenicol succinate produced higher but not more prolonged levels in blood and plasma than those produced by pure chloramphenicol. Succinate salt is very little, if at all, bound to red blood corpuscles. Plasma half life and the apparent volume of distribution of chloramphenicol in horses were determined as 0.98 hours and 0.92 L/kg, respectively. At 5-10 mu g/ml concentrations in equine plasma approximately 30 percent of the chloramphenicol is bound to plasma proteins. From these studies it is concluded that the biological half life of chloramphenicol may be too short for therapeutic application against systemic infections in horses.