Genetic characterization of the endangered Kiso horse using 31 microsatellite DNAs

In order to contribute to conservation of the endangered Kiso horse, we clarified their genetic information using 31 microsatellite DNAs, and genotyped 125 horses, 83% of the existing breed. First, we clarified the current status of the horses. The horses were confirmed to have experienced rapid loss of population causing a bottleneck, and their effective population size was much smaller than their census size. Moreover, the number of alleles (6.3), observed heterozygosity (0.674), and expected heterozygosity (0.662) were in the same range as other endangered horses all over the world. Therefore, although their inbreeding level was not so severe (F(is): -0.017), the Kiso horse is surely one of the endangered. Second, we obtained genetic information of individuals. This information allowed us to understand the genetic distance of individuals, and might help in development of a reproductive strategy concerning the genetic distance between the mating pairs. Moreover, there appeared to be 4 subpopulations of Kiso horse, and this result was in good agreement with their historical background. Third, we confirmed that the parentage test for identification using the 31 microsatellite DNAs was highly reliable (probability of exclusion: 0.999999993). This identification increases the reliability of stud certification, and is also helpful for effective management. Understanding the genetic diversity within the population and the relationships among individuals is important to ensuring effective management for maintenance of genetic variation, and this study may help in conservation of the endangered Kiso horse.     

Hematological and Biochemical Reference Values for the Endangered Kiso Horse

To establish blood and biochemical references for the endangered Kiso horse, blood samples were collected from 111 adult Kiso horses, 74.5% of the existing breed. The samples were analyzed for 23 hematological and biochemical parameters to determine their means and standard deviations (SD). We compared the mean ± 2SD with the reference values cited in one of the most commonly used veterinary textbooks in Japan. The hematology of Kiso horses is characterized by lower erythrocyte count and hematocrit and hemoglobin levels. In addition, their serum biochemistry showed lower levels of aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and γ-glutamyl transferase. Whether these propensities are attributed to breed-specific factors or are acquired factors remains unclear. Nevertheless, this study provides useful diagnostic indices for the endangered Kiso horse.     

Japanese consumer preferences for milk certified as good agricultural practice

This study examined Japanese consumers' valuation of a good agricultural practice (GAP) label on packaged milk and investigated the effect of detailed GAP information on valuation. A total of 624 Japanese consumers were asked to select their most preferred milk through an online survey. The milk was assumed to have three attributes: the GAP label, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points certification, and price. The results showed that consumers' valuation of GAP was significantly positive. Although providing additional GAP information to a respondent who was aware of GAP and what it means had a positive effect on the consumers' valuation of GAP, provision of this information had no effect if the respondent knew about GAP either moderately or slightly, and had a negative effect if the respondent did not know about GAP at all. To increase broad consumer awareness and valuation of GAP, it is important to provide GAP information according to the requirements of consumers.     

A new garlic growing system from bulbils through transplanting

Summary

We have developed a new garlic growing system from bulbils through transplanting. By this system, extremely small seed bulbils produced bulbs as large as those from cloves of bulbs. In the new system, the bulbils harvested in summer and stored at 18–20°C in winter are grown from the following spring to summer in paper pots, and then transplanted to the field. In Hokkaido, northern Japan, July transplanting produced larger bulbs than August or September transplanting, and the bulbs produced were almost the same size as those of traditional growing methods. One bulbil weighed 75.3±5.6 mg and 84.2±5.4 mg in cv. Furano and a clone, No. 205, respectively, while one clove weighed 5–7g. A clone, H500, produced bulbs of 79.9±3.0.g although its original bulbil weighed only 15.4±0.8.mg. Moreover, this clone produced a great number of bulbils, 250–300, per plant.     

Changes of sires in a breeding farm enables maintenance of DNA‐level genetic variation in a produced herd of Hokkaido Native Horses

We investigated whether regular changes of the sire in a breeding farm of Hokkaido Native Horses (HKDs) enables the DNA‐level genetic variation of the produced animals to be maintained. The genotypes of 31 microsatellite markers were identified and analyzed in 207 animals produced in a breeding farm in which the sire was replaced every 3 to 5 years. The mean allele number indicating the degree of genetic variation was 5.97 and was similar to those reported previously. The mean observed heterozygosity was 0.74 and was higher than the expected heterozygosity, 0.69; F_IS was ?0.07, indicating that the analyzed animals reflected frequent outbreeding and had maintained genetic variation. Based on genetic structural analysis, the number of genetic subpopulations of the animals was estimated to be as 6, and the majority (more than 50%) of each subpopulation corresponded to the progeny of one of the sires used in the breeding farm; these observations suggested that genetic variation in the analyzed animals reflected the genetic differences among sires. Pedigree records indicated that the average co‐ancestry coefficient between sires used in the breeding farm was 0.015 corresponding to second cousin. This level of kinship among sires is acceptable for producing HKDs that maintain genetic variation.     

Sequence variants at the myostatin gene locus influence the body composition of Thoroughbred horses

Myostatin is a member of the transforming growth factor-β family with a key role in inhibition of muscle growth by negative regulation of both myoblast proliferation and differentiation. Recently, a genomic region on ECA18, which includes the MSTN gene, was identified as a candidate region influencing racing performance in Thoroughbreds. In this study, four SNPs on ECA18, g.65809482T>C, g.65868604G>T, g.66493737C>T, and g.66539967A>G, were genotyped in 91 Thoroughbred horses-in-training to evaluate the association between genotype and body composition traits, including body weight, withers height, chest circumference, cannon circumference, and body weight/withers height. Of these, statistically differences in body weight and body weight/withers height were associated with specific genotypes in males. Specifically, body weight/withers height showed statistically significant differences depending on genotype at g.658604G>T, g.66493737C>T, and g.66539967A>G (P<0.01) in males during the training period. Animals with a genotype associated with suitability for short-distance racing, C/C at g.66493737C>T, had the highest value (3.17 ± 0.05 kg·cm(-1)) for body weight/withers height in March, while those with a genotype associated with suitability for long-distance racing, T/T, had the lowest (2.99 ± 0.03 kg·cm(-1)). In females, the trends in the association of body weight/withers height with genotypes were similar to those observed in males. As the SNPs are not believed to be linked to coding variants in MSTN, these results suggest that regulation of MSTN gene expression influences skeletal muscle mass and hence racing performance, particularly optimum race distance, in Thoroughbred horses.     

Reaction behavior of wood in an ionic liquid, 1-ethylpyridinium bromide

The reactions of Japanese cedar and Japanese beech in a pyridinium-based ionic liquid, 1-ethylpyridinium bromide ([EtPy][Br]) were studied. Japanese beech was more easily liquefied than Japanese cedar. Hemicellulose is liquefied rapidly, lignin more slowly, while cellulose is partially liquefied. X-ray diffraction analyses on the [EtPy][Br]-insoluble residues revealed that the crystalline structure of cellulose is maintained even after treatment. The difference in liquefaction can be explained by chemical structural differences between softwood and hardwood lignins and hemicelluloses.     

Volcanism in response to plate flexure

Volcanism on Earth is known to occur in three tectonic settings: divergent plate boundaries (such as mid-ocean ridges), convergent plate boundaries (such as island arcs), and hot spots. We report volcanism on the 135 million-year-old Pacific Plate not belonging to any of these categories. Small alkalic volcanoes form from small percent melts and originate in the asthenosphere, as implied by their trace element geochemistry and noble gas isotopic compositions. We propose that these small volcanoes erupt along lithospheric fractures in response to plate flexure during subduction. Minor extents of asthenospheric melting and the volcanoes' tectonic alignment and age progression in the direction opposite to that of plate motion provide evidence for the presence of a small percent melt in the asthenosphere.