Revealing genetic relationships between compounds affecting boar taint and reproduction in pigs

Boar taint is characterized by an unpleasant taste or odor in intact male pigs and is primarily attributed to increased concentrations of androstenone and skatole and to a lesser extent by increased indole. The boar taint compounds skatole and indole are produced by gut bacteria, metabolized in the liver, and stored in the fat tissue. Androstenone, on the other hand, is synthesized in the testis along with testosterone and estrogens, which are known to be important factors affecting fertility. The main goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between genetic factors involved in the primary boar taint compounds in an attempt to discover ways to reduce boar taint without decreasing fertility-related compounds. Heritabilities and genetic correlations between traits were estimated for compounds related to boar taint (androstenone, skatole, indole) and reproduction (testosterone, 17β-estradiol, and estrone sulfate). Heritabilities in the range of 0.47 to 0.67 were detected for androstenone concentrations in both fat and plasma, whereas those for skatole and indole were slightly less (0.27 to 0.41). The genetic correlations between androstenone in plasma and fat were extremely high (0.91 to 0.98) in Duroc and Landrace. In addition, genetic correlations between androstenone (both plasma and fat) and the other sex steroids (estrone sulfate, 17β-estradiol, and testosterone) were very high, in the range of 0.80 to 0.95. Furthermore, a genome-wide association study (GWA) and a combined linkage disequilibrium and linkage analysis (LDLA) were conducted on 1,533 purebred Landrace and 1,027 purebred Duroc to find genome regions involved in genetic control of the boar taint compounds androstenone, skatole, and indole, and sex hormones related to fertility traits. Up to 3,297 informative SNP markers were included for both breeds, including SNP from several boar taint candidate genes. From the GWA study, we found that altogether 27 regions were significant at a genome-wide level (P < 0.05) and an additional 7 regions were significant at a chromosomal level. From the LDLA study, 7 regions were significant on a genome-wide level and an additional 7 regions were significant at a chromosomal level. The most convincing associations were obtained in 6 regions affecting skatole and indole in fat on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 7, 13, and 14, 1 region on chromosome 6 affecting androstenone in plasma only, and 5 regions on chromosomes 3, 4, 13, and 15 affecting androstenone, testosterone, and estrogens.     

Consequences for diversity when prioritizing animals for conservation with pedigree or genomic information

Up to now, prioritization of animals for conservation has been mainly based on pedigree information; however, genomic information may improve prioritization. In this study, we used two Holstein populations to investigate the consequences for genetic diversity when animals are prioritized with optimal contributions based on pedigree or genomic data and whether consequences are different at the chromosomal level. Selection with genomic kinships resulted in a higher conserved diversity, but differences were small. Largest differences were found when few animals were prioritized and when pedigree errors were present. We found more differences at the chromosomal level, where selection based on genomic kinships resulted in a higher conserved diversity for most chromosomes, but for some chromosomes, pedigree-based selection resulted in a higher conserved diversity. To optimize conservation strategies, genomic information can help to improve the selection of animals for conservation in those situations where pedigree information is unreliable or absent or when we want to conserve diversity at specific genome regions.     

Ultrasonographic examination of the musculoskeletal system in cattle

Ultrasound machines with 7.5 to 5.0MHz linear transducers are well suited for rapid and straightforward differentiation of soft tissue swelling in the musculoskeletal system of cattle; in proximal limb regions 3.5MHz convex scanners allow better imaging. The main indications for ultrasonography of the musculoskeletal system in cattle are suspected arthritis, tenosynovitis, bursitis, abscesses, haematomas, diagnosis of muscle and tendon lesions, and generally the evaluation of soft tissue swellings everywhere that cannot be diagnosed based on clinical examination. The examiner starts by obtaining a general overview of the affected region for orientation purposes. This is achieved by locating and identifying anatomical landmarks, thereafter one can search for pathological changes by examination of the region of interest in longitudinal and transverse planes from all sides. The ultrasonographic investigation should follow a standardised systematic protocol. Normal synovial cavities in cattle are difficult or impossible to visualize via ultrasonography because of the very small physiological amount of synovial fluid. Thus, effusion that is easily visualized usually indicates a pathological process like arthritis, tenosynovitis or bursitis. Ultrasonography provides accurate information about the location and size of lesions or fluid-filled cavities, the nature of the content and an exact measurement of the distance from pathologically altered structures to the skin surface. Targeted centesis of synovial or other cavities can be carried out after a preliminary ultrasonographic inspection. Characterization of the lesions and a thorough preoperative inspection of affected regions are of enormous benefit for planning surgery and treatment.     

Analysis of the effect of the bovine adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter G2 single nucleotide polymorphism Y581S on transcellular transport of veterinary drugs using new cell culture models

In commercial dairy production, the risk of drug residues and environmental pollutants in milk from ruminants has become an outstanding problem. One of the main determinants of active drug secretion into milk is the ATP-binding cassette transporter G2/breast cancer resistance protein (ABCG2/BCRP). It is located in several organs associated with drug absorption, metabolism, and excretion, and its expression is highly induced during lactation in the mammary gland of ruminants, mice, and humans. As a consequence, potential contamination of milk could expose suckling infants to xenotoxins. In cows, a SNP for this protein affecting quality and quantity of milk production has been described previously (Y581S). In this study, our main purpose was to determine whether this polymorphism has an effect on transcellular transport of veterinary drugs because this could alter substrate pharmacokinetics and milk residues. We stably expressed the wild-type bovine ABCG2 and the Y581S variant in Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cells (MDCKII) and MEF3.8 cell lines generating cell models in which the functionality of the bovine transporter could be addressed. Functional studies confirmed the greater functional activity in mitoxantrone accumulation assays for the Y581S variant with a greater relative V(MAX) value (P = 0.040) and showed for the first time that the Y581S variant presents greater transcellular transport of the model ABCG2 substrate nitrofurantoin (P = 0.024) and of 3 veterinary antibiotics, the fluoroquinolone agents enrofloxacin (P = 0.035), danofloxacin (P = 0.001), and difloxacin (P = 0.008), identified as new substrates of the bovine ABCG2. In addition, the inhibitory effect of the macrocyclic lactone ivermectin on the activity of wild-type bovine ABCG2 and the Y581S variant was also confirmed, showing a greater inhibitory potency on the wild-type protein at all the concentrations tested (5 μM, P = 0.017; 10 μM, P = 0.001; 25 μM, P = 0.008; and 50 μM, P = 0.003). Differential transport activity depending on the genotype together with the differential inhibition pattern might have clinical consequences, including changes in substrate pharmacokinetics (and subsequently pharmacodynamics) and more specifically, changes in secretion of ABCG2 substrates into milk, potentially implying important consequences to veterinary therapeutics.     

Retrospective evaluation of urethral bovine cross-linked collagen implantation for treatment of urinary incontinence in female dogs

Background: Transurethral collagen injections are an alternative treatment for canine urinary incontinence. There is controversy regarding the long‐term effectiveness of collagen and the impact urethral coaptation and injection site have on outcome. Hypothesis/Objectives: To evaluate outcome and client satisfaction after urethral collagen injections, and correlation between degree of urethral coaptation and collagen placement with outcome. Animals: Thirty‐six procedures on 31 dogs, 10 with ureteral ectopia. Methods: Retrospective review of records and video evaluation of injection procedures. Follow‐up communication with owners was performed between 1 and 56 months after bovine cross‐linked collagen implantation to evaluate duration of continence, need for additional medical therapy, and owner satisfaction. Continence score was evaluated before and after the procedure, and after additional medical therapy, if needed. Injection location and degree of urethral coaptation was assessed with respect to duration of continence. Results: Dogs had a significant increase in continence score after the procedure. Mean (SD) duration of continence in dogs without addition of medication was 16.4 (15.2) months, and 5.2 (4.3) months in dogs needing additional medical therapy. No significant difference was found with respect to degree of coaptation. Median client satisfaction with the procedure was 100%. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Transurethral collagen implantation may be a viable option for treatment of female dogs with urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence, particularly after medical failure. Duration and degree of improvement are variable. Client satisfaction was excellent despite lack of complete continence in some dogs, and highlights the importance of discussing outcome expectations with owners.     

Histopathologic changes of the ear in canine models of mucopolysaccharidosis types I and VII

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) types I and VII are inborn errors of metabolism caused by mutation of enzymes involved in glycosaminoglycan catabolism, which leads to intralysosomal accumulation of glycosaminoglycans. In children, severe forms of MPS I and VII are characterized by somatic and neurologic manifestations, including a poorly understood hearing loss. The purpose of this study is to describe the age-related histopathologic changes of the ear in spontaneous canine models of MPS I and VII. Pathologic changes in the ear were assessed in MPS I and VII dogs ranging from 1.6 to 9.3 months of age. Paraffin-embedded sections of the whole ear and Epon-embedded semithin sections of the cochlea were examined. The following lesions were blindly scored in the middle and inner ear: inflammation, cells vacuolization, thickening of osseous and membranous structures, perivascular vacuolated macrophages infiltration, and bone resorption. All dogs had lysosomal storage within cells of tympanic membrane, ossicles, tympanic bone and mucosa, cochlear bone, spiral ligament, limbus, and stria vascularis. The MPS I dogs mainly had progressive cochlear lesions. The MPS VII dogs had severe and early middle ear lesions, including chronic otitis media and bone resorption. The MPS I dog only partially recapitulates the pathology seen in humans; specifically, the dog model lacks inflammatory middle ear disease. In contrast, the MPS VII dog has severe inflammatory middle ear disease similar to that reported in the human. In conclusion, the canine MPS VII model appears to be a good model to study MPS VII-related deafness.