Allelic frequencies and association with carcass traits of six genes in local subpopulations of Japanese Black cattle

Marker‐assisted selection (MAS) is expected to accelerate the genetic improvement of Japanese Black cattle. However, verification of the effects of the genes for MAS in different subpopulations is required prior to the application of MAS. In this study, we investigated the allelic frequencies and genotypic effects for carcass traits of six genes, which can be used in MAS, in eight local subpopulations. These genes are SCD, FASN and SREBP1, which are associated with the fatty acid composition of meat, and NCAPG, MC1R and F11, which are associated with carcass weight, coat color and blood coagulation abnormality, respectively. The frequencies of desirable alleles of SCD and FASN were relatively high and that of NCAPG was relatively low, and NCAPG was significantly associated with several carcass traits, including carcass weight. The proportions of genotypic variance explained by NCAPG to phenotypic variance were 4.83 for carcass weight. We thus confirmed that NCAPG is a useful marker for selection of carcass traits in these subpopulations. In addition, we found that the desirable alleles of six genes showed no negative effects on carcass traits. Therefore, selection using these genes to improve target traits should not have negative impacts on carcass traits.     

Physicochemical properties of water-soluble myofibrillar proteins prepared from chicken breast muscle

The solubility of skeletal muscle myofibrillar proteins in water was examined. The solubility of the proteins was found to be sensitive to ionic strength and pH of the solution. At the ionic strength of less than 12 mM and neutral pH, more than 80% of myofibrillar proteins were solubilized. Heating at a temperature of more than 70°C was required for the proteins to retain their solubility. The solubility of freeze‐dried protein powder prepared from water‐soluble myofibrillar proteins was also examined, and it was found that addition of trehalose and heating were essential for re‐solubilization in water. Amino acid composition of water‐soluble myofibrillar proteins was found to be almost the same as that of myofibrillar proteins.     

Experimental H-type bovine spongiform encephalopathy characterized by plaques and glial- and stellate-type prion protein deposits

ABSTRACT: Atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) has recently been identified in Europe, North America, and Japan. It is classified as H-type and L-type BSE according to the molecular mass of the disease-associated prion protein (PrPSc). To investigate the topographical distribution and deposition patterns of immunolabeled PrPSc, H-type BSE isolate was inoculated intracerebrally into cattle. H-type BSE was successfully transmitted to 3 calves, with incubation periods between 500 and 600 days. Moderate to severe spongiform changes were detected in the cerebral and cerebellar cortices, basal ganglia, thalamus, and brainstem. H-type BSE was characterized by the presence of PrP-immunopositive amyloid plaques in the white matter of the cerebrum, basal ganglia, and thalamus. Moreover, intraglial-type immunolabeled PrPSc was prominent throughout the brain. Stellate-type immunolabeled PrPSc was conspicuous in the gray matter of the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and thalamus, but not in the brainstem. In addition, PrPSc accumulation was detected in the peripheral nervous tissues, such as trigeminal ganglia, dorsal root ganglia, optic nerve, retina, and neurohypophysis. Cattle are susceptible to H-type BSE with a shorter incubation period, showing distinct and distinguishable phenotypes of PrPSc accumulation.     

水冬瓜油的碱炼工艺研究

比较了NaOH和Na2CO3对水冬瓜油(酸值22 mg/g)的碱炼效果,并应用正交和单因子试验,分析了Na2CO3溶液浓度、反应温度、反应搅拌强度和水洗温度4种因子对水冬瓜油碱炼降酸效果的影响,确定了碱炼降酸的最佳Na2CO3用量和Na2CO3碱炼水冬瓜油的最优工艺条件。结果表明,Na2CO3碱炼效果优于NaOH;以碱炼油的得率和酸值为指标,Na2CO3碱炼水冬瓜油的最佳反应条件为:Na2CO3水溶液浓度为170 g/L,反应温度为75℃,搅拌速度为100 r/min,水洗温度为80℃,固体Na2CO3用量为105 g/kg;在此条件下,水冬瓜毛油的酸值可降至1mg/g以下,可作为碱催化酯交换法制备生物柴油的原料。