A new single nucleotide polymorphism in CAPN1 extends the current tenderness marker test to include cattle of Bos indicus, Bos taurus, and crossbred descent

The three objectives of this study were to 1) test for the existence of beef tenderness markers in the CAPN1 gene segregating in Brahman cattle; 2) test existing CAPN1 tenderness markers in indicus-influenced crossbred cattle; and 3) produce a revised marker system for use in cattle of all subspecies backgrounds. Previously, two SNP in the CAPN1 gene have been described that could be used to guide selection in Bos taurus cattle (designated Markers 316 and 530), but neither marker segregates at high frequency in Brahman cattle. In this study, we examined three additional SNP in CAPN1 to determine whether variation in this gene could be associated with tenderness in a large, multisire American Brahman population. One marker (termed 4751) was associated with shear force on postmortem d 7 (P < 0.01), 14 (P = 0.015), and 21 (P < 0.001) in this population, demonstrating that genetic variation important for tenderness segregates in Bos indicus cattle at or near CAPN1. Marker 4751 also was associated with shear force (P < 0.01) in the same large, multisire population of cattle of strictly Bos taurus descent that was used to develop the previously reported SNP (referred to as the Germplasm Evaluation [GPE] Cycle 7 population), indicating the possibility that one marker could have wide applicability in cattle of all subspecies backgrounds. To test this hypothesis, Marker 4751 was tested in a third large, multisire cattle population of crossbred subspecies descent (including sire breeds of Brangus, Beefmaster, Bonsmara, Romosinuano, Hereford, and Angus referred to as the GPE Cycle 8 population). The highly significant association of Marker 4751 with shear force in this population (P < 0.001) confirms the usefulness of Marker 4751 in cattle of all subspecies backgrounds, including Bos taurus, Bos indicus, and crossbred descent. This wide applicability adds substantial value over previously released Markers 316 and 530. However, Marker 316, which had previously been shown to be associated with tenderness in the GPE Cycle 7 population, also was highly associated with shear force in the GPE Cycle 8 animals (P < 0.001). Thus, Marker 316 may continue to be useful in a variety of populations with a high percentage of Bos taurus backgrounds. An optimal marker strategy for CAPN1 in many cases will be to use both Markers 316 and 4751.     

Urinary tract infections-microbial virulence determinants and reactive oxygen species

The human urinary tract is able to combat with the microbial invasion under normal circumstances. To cause urinary tract infection the organism has to evade the host defense mechanisms by possessing distinct properties which contribute to the virulence of the organism hence called virulence determinants Ninety percent of uncomplicated urinary tract infections are caused by Escherichia coli, hence the knowledge of the virulence determinants of this organism can be extrapolated to other uropathogenic organism as well. Virulence determinants of uropathogenic E. coli include adhesins, siderophore production, polysaccharide coating, hemolysin production, outer membrane proteins etc. The intestinal E. coli, which are the reservoir of E. coli for causing UTI, lack these virulence determinants. On the other hand these virulence determinants enable the organism to colonize and invade the urinary tract. In addition these are important in acquiring the nutrients in other wise nutrient deficient environment. Further, they also help the organisms in triggering an inflammatory response and hence bringing about pathological changes which leads to symptomatic UTI. Severity of symptomatic infections and tissue damage during the infective process depends upon the magnitude of the inflammatory response triggered by the uropathogen which in turn is dependent upon the amount of extrcellular release of reactive oxygen species by the phagocytic cells; hence role of antioxidants as an adjunct to antibiotics in the treatment of infective process needs to be evaluated further.     

Organisms associated with the sandy-beach bivalve Donax serra Röding,with a description of Cercaria serrae sp. nov. (Trematoda)

Examination of two collections of Donax serra from a South African west coast beach revealed the presence of Ciliophora, Trematoda, Nematoda and a parasitic pycnogonid. This is the first record of a pycnogonid from the genus Donax and the first published report of such a parasite from any southern African bivalve mollusc. One of the two trematode species found is described as new and its epidemiology is discussed briefly. No epibiota were found on the bivalve shell.     

Yield and morphological responses of a forage sorghum to mefluidide

Abstract

Due to rapid growth, stem build‐up in forage sorghum crops often leads to considerable wastage by animals and consequent loss of production. In this study the potential of the chemical plant growth regulator, mefluidide, for modifying the morphology of forage sorghum was examined. Mefluidide was applied to two consecutive plantings of forage sorghum at 0; 0,14 and 0,28 kg/ha. Treatment with mefluidide suppressed stem elongation of sorghum plants and stimulated tillering 4–6 weeks after application. After 6 weeks the stem:leaf ratio of treated plants was significantly lower (P ≤0,05) than that of control plants. On average, total dry matter (DM) yield was marginally higher for the control, but DM yield of leaf material was significantly higher. (P ≤0,05) for treated plots from 6 weeks after mefluidide application. No significant differences were observed between levels of mefluidide but responses of different variables over time differed between plantings. This was associated with different stages of plant growth when mefluidide was applied and different environmental conditions for two plantings.     

Comparing Genotypes of Different Body Sizes for Growth-related Traits in Chickens. II. Feed Consumption Performance under Choice Feeding Using Commercial Starter Ration and Whole-grain Wheat

Three genotypes of chickens including one commercial broiler (CB) and two others from the Norwegian gene bank [Barred Plymouth Rock (BPR) and Jærhøn (JH)] were raised from 1 day to 20 weeks of age with a free choice of a commercial starter ration and whole-grain wheat. Body weights and pen-feed intakes were recorded every 2 weeks. The weight–age data were fitted to a Gompertz growth equation where, among other parameters, adult body weights were estimated and used for size scaling. The heavier CB chickens consumed more food (starter and wheat) than the other two genotypes. The maximum proportions of whole-grain wheat in the diet were 0.56, 0.68 and 0.75 for BPR, CB and JH birds, respectively. Although the proportions of whole-grain wheat were similar between the genotypes as age progressed, their maintenance requirement and feed intakes relative to body weight suggested a major genetic role and a possible interplay of both genetic potential and body size.     

Increased broiler muscle carnosine and anserine following histidine supplementation of commercial broiler feed concentrate

Abstract

A feeding experiment involving histidine supplementation to broiler feed resulted in increased concentration of the histidine containing dipeptides anserine and carnosine in broiler breast muscle. Supplementation with 1 g histidine per kg feed gave a 64% increase in carnosine, and about 10% increase in anserine in the muscle. The standard broiler feed concentrate now in use in Norway seems to contain less histidine than what may be needed for optimal synthesis of carnosine and anserine. These dipeptides have important roles as antioxidants, pH buffering agents and anti-glycation agents. They may have important roles in meat for increasing its stability, shelf life and antioxidant capacity, and it might be speculated that broiler meat rich in anserine and carnosine in the future will be considered a type of functional food, having possible health-beneficial effects. Histidine supplementation of standard Norwegian broiler feed concentrate should be considered.