A review on breeding and genetic strategies in Iranian buffaloes (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bubalus bubalis</Emphasis>)

The aim of current study was to review breeding progress and update information on genetic strategies in Iranian buffaloes. Iranian buffalo is one of the vital domestic animals throughout north, north-west, south and south-west of Iran with measurable characteristics both in milk and meat production. The species plays an important role in rural economy of the country due to its unique characteristics such as resistance to diseases and parasites, having long productive lifespan and showing higher capability of consuming low-quality forage. In Iran, total production of milk and meat devoted to buffaloes are 293,000 and 24,700 tons, respectively. Selection activities and milk yield recording are carrying out by the central government through the Animal Breeding Centre of Iran. The main breeding activities of Iranian buffaloes included the estimation of genetic parameters and genetic trends for performance traits using different models and methods, estimation of economic values and selection criteria and analysis of population structure. Incorporating different aspects of dairy buffalo management together with improved housing, nutrition, breeding and milking, is known to produce significant improvements in buffalo production. Therefore, identifying genetic potential of Iranian buffaloes, selection of superior breeds, improving nutritional management and reproduction and developing the education and increasing the skills of practical breeders can be useful in order to enhance the performance and profitability of Iranian buffaloes.     

Effect of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki on survival and mortality of immature and mature stages of Diadegma insulare parasitizing Plutella xylostella

Effects of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) on immature stages of Diadegma insulare (Cresson) (Hym., Ichneumonidae) within larvae of diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lep., Plutellidae), and on the adult stage as a Bt-honey solution were evaluated at 25?±?1?°C, 65?±?10% r.h. and 16:8?h (L:D) photoperiod. P. xylostella and D. insulare pupae were collected from cabbage fields in Karaj, Iran. A commercial wettable powder formulation of Bt (var. kurstaki, serotype H-3a3b, strain Z-52) was used in these experiments. The value of LC₅₀ for third instar larvae of P. xylostella was 210?ppm. Parasitoid??s adult mortality at field rate of Bt was not significantly different from that of control. Formation of parasitoid??s pupae in Bt-parasitoid combined treatments was significantly lower than parasitoid alone. Formation of parasitoid??s pupae in larvae treated with LC₁₀, LC₃₀ and LC₅₀ of Bt and then exposed to parasitoids after 48?h was 5%, 3% and 2%, respectively, which was significantly lower than that of the parasitoid alone (41%). Mean percentage mortality of larvae of DBM in LC₃₀ and LC₅₀ concentrations of Bt combined with the parasitoid was approximately 100%. Our results showed that B. thuringiensis kills D. insulare larvae indirectly by killing susceptible hosts in which they are developing. Successful use of multiple biological control agents will depend on close monitoring of their compatibility in the field. Our results could be useful in this purpose.     

Survivability and causes of loss of broody-hen chicks on smallholder households in Bangladesh

We determined the flock sizes and rates of loss caused by different factors in broody-hen chicks (BHC) up to 60 days of age on 600 randomly selected smallholdings in Bangladesh. The smallholders were beneficiaries of a village poultry production chain called ‘Smallholder Livestock Development Project-2’ (SLDP-2) which was undertaken with the financial assistance of the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA). For estimating survival time of BHC, we observed chicks in 80 smallholdings. SLDP-2 aims at ameliorating poverty among women by poultry rearing at village level; in total, 104,000 key rearers, constituting 96% of all of the beneficiaries of the SLDP-2 area, were enrolled in 26 upazilas (a lower administrative unit of Bangladesh). A key rearer is a smallholder who rears at least five ‘Sonali’ (RIR × Fayoumi) and some indigenous (desi) chickens in a semi-scavenging system. Sonali chickens are supplied from the development project, and have higher egg production while the broodiness of the desi hens is exploited to get chicks hatched for future stocks; thus, the chicks hatched and reared to 60 days old at key rearers’ households are called BHC. In this study 32% of the smallholders had BHC each month. At the beginning of a month, the median number of chicks in a flock was 8, and the mean survival time was 50.5 days. Incidence rates of loss of BHC from disease, predation, selling and slaughtering were 0.102, 0.086, 0.009 and 0.002 per chick-month at risk, respectively. The major predators were crows, mongooses and eagles with incidence rates of loss being 0.018, 0.016 and 0.010 per chick-month at risk, respectively. Colibacillosis (both single and mixed infections) contributed to the death of 21% of dead BHC collected; Newcastle disease and salmonellosis contributed to the next highest (14 and 12%) proportional mortalities.     

Ecoviability for ecosystem‐based fisheries management

Reconciling food security, economic development and biodiversity conservation is a key challenge, especially in the face of the demographic transition characterizing many countries in the world. Fisheries and marine ecosystems constitute a difficult application of this bio‐economic challenge. Many experts and scientists advocate an ecosystem approach to manage marine socio‐ecosystems for their sustainability and resilience. However, the ways by which to operationalize ecosystem‐based fisheries management (EBFM) remain poorly specified. We propose a specific methodological framework—viability modelling—to do so. We show how viability modelling can be applied using four contrasted case‐studies: two small‐scale fisheries in South America and Pacific and two larger‐scale fisheries in Europe and Australia. The four fisheries are analysed using the same modelling framework, structured around a set of common methods, indicators and scenarios. The calibrated models are dynamic, multispecies and multifleet and account for various sources of uncertainty. A multicriteria evaluation is used to assess the scenarios’ outcomes over a long time horizon with different constraints based on ecological, social and economic reference points. Results show to what extent the bio‐economic and ecosystem risks associated with the adoption of status quo strategies are relatively high and challenge the implementation of EBFM. In contrast, strategies called ecoviability or co‐viability strategies, that aim at satisfying the viability constraints, reduce significantly these ecological and economic risks and promote EBFM. The gains associated with those ecoviability strategies, however, decrease with the intensity of regulations imposed on these fisheries.     

Molecular Genetic Analysis of the Variable Number of Tandem-Repeat Alleles at the Phenylalanine Hydroxylase Gene in Iranian Azeri Turkish Population

Background:

The variable numbers of tandem-repeat (VNTR) alleles at the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene have been used in carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis in phenylketonuria families. This study was carried out to analyze VNTR alleles at the PAH gene in Iranian Azeri Turkish population.

Methods:

In this study, 200 alleles from general population were studied by PCR.

Results:

The frequencies of VNTR alleles were 45%, 46%, 2%, 3%, 1%, and 3% in studied group regarding 3, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 13 repeat copies, respectively. Statistically significant differences were not found between expected and observed frequencies of VNTR genotypes (P > 0.05).

Conclusions:

VNTR alleles with three and eight repeats were frequent, and the VNTR alleles with 13 repeats showed 3% frequency in the tested group. This study is the first report on tested population genetic structure using VNTR alleles at the PAH gene. Key Words: Phenylalanine hydroxylase, Population genetics, Variable numbers of tandem-repeat     

Serosurvey of five viruses in chickens on smallholdings in Bangladesh

A serologic survey was undertaken in chickens in smallholdings in Bangladesh for avian influenza A virus (AIV), egg drop syndrome '76 virus (EDS'76V), infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and reovirus (RV) in three phases: January 2002-May 2003, September 2003-August 2004, and August 2005-March 2006. Four hundred thirty-six sera collected in the 2nd phase, 295 in the first phase, 755 in the 1st plus 2nd phases and 295 in the 1st phase were investigated for AIV, EDS'76V, IBV and RV, respectively, using enzyme linked immunosorbent assays. All 854 sera collected in the three phases were screened for NDV using hemagglutination inhibition test. In chickens 20% were seropositive to AIV, 3% to EDS'76V, 74% to IBV, 88% to NDV, and 47% to RV. The seroprevalence in flocks was 23% to AIV, 6% to EDS'76V, 79% to IBV, 89% to NDV and 56% to RV. Twenty-five percent chickens had > or = 10log(2)HI titers to NDV.     

Effect of pre-harvest foliar application of amino acids and seaweed (Ascophylum nodosum) extract on growth,yield, and storage life of different bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars grown under hydroponic conditions

The study was set up to evaluate the efficiency of amino acids and seaweed on vegetative growth, reproductive phase, yield, and postharvest storage quality of hydroponically grown bell pepper cultivars “Sven Rz F-1” and “Red Knight.” Different concentrations of amino acid and seaweed were sprayed on bell pepper plants under hydroponic conditions. Pre-harvest foliar application of amino acids and seaweed significantly increased plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, yield per plant, number of marketable fruits per plant, average fruit diameter, fruit wall thickness, and average single fruit weight. Amino acid and seaweed significantly improved postharvest physicochemical quality of both bell pepper cultivars under extended cold storage conditions. Conclusively, amino acid as well as seaweed extract not only improved growth, development, yield, and overall quality of bell pepper cultivars but also increased storage life with reduced weight loss and decay along with better physicochemical quality.     

The side-effects of pesticides onDiaeretiella rapae, a parasitoid of the turnip aphid (Lipaphis erysimi)

Diaeretiella rapae (M’Intosh.) is an endoparasite of the turnip aphid,Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) with a wide geographical distribution. The four Pesticides Nogos 50 EC at 600 ml per acre, Dimecron 50 WSC, Monofos 40 WSC and Tamaron 600 SL at 500 ml per acre, used in practice for the control of this pest, were tested for their side-effects onD. rapae. The parasitoid was reared on pottedBrassica napus plants infested with aphid under laboratory conditions (22±2°C, 60–70% rel. hum., 16 h light and 8 h dark). In one test, adult female parasitoids were exposed to fresh pesticide residues on glass plates and in another test, the pupae within aphid mummies were directly sprayed. The results revealed that Dimecron 50 WSC, Nogos 50 EC and Monofos 40 WSC were harmful causing 100% mortalitv toD. rapae followed by Tamaron 600 SL (97% moderately harmful) after 24 hours of application, compared to no mortality in control, where only water was sprayed. Directly spraying of pupae with Dimecron 50 WSC and Nogos 50 EC reduced adult parasitoid emergence to 9 and 7%, respectively, Monofos 40 WSC and Tamaron 600 SL to 3% compared to 78% emergence for the control within one week of treatment. The results showed that none of the tested pesticides was safe toD. rapae and according to the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC) further testing under semi-field and field conditions is recommended.     

Prevalence of subclinical ketosis in dairy cattle in the Southwestern Iran and detection of cutoff point for NEFA and glucose concentrations for diagnosis of subclinical ketosis

Subclinical ketosis (SCK) is simply a condition marked by increased levels of circulating ketone bodies without the presence of the clinical signs of ketosis. Subclinical ketosis can cause economic losses through decreased milk production and association with preparturient diseases. Limited information is available regarding the prevalence of SCK in dairy herds in Southwestern Iran. The objectives of this study were (i) determination of the cutoff point of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) and glucose concentrations for diagnosis of SCK using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and (ii) determination of prevalence of subclinical ketosis in apparently healthy dairy cattle in Southwestern Iran. From October to December 2009, a total of 100 clinically healthy multiparous Holstein cows (3-8 years old) were randomly selected from 16 dairy herds around Kazerun, Fars Province, Iran. The cows had two-six lactations, with body weight ranging from 500 to 650 kg. Blood samples for each cow were taken at 2, 4 and 6 weeks post parturition and 3-4h after the morning feeding. The optimal cutoff point was set, by the ROC method, to >0.26 mmol/L for NEFA, and < 2.26 mmol/L for glucose with corresponding 82.54% sensitivity and 91.89% specificity for NEFA and 44.44% sensitivity and 78.38% specificity for glucose. Cows with BHB concentrations higher than 1200 μmol/L were classified as having SCK. In 2, 4 and 6 weeks post parturition 63%, 68% and 59% of the tested cows were subclinically ketotic. Overall, 97% of tested cows (97/100) were considered subclinically ketotic in at least one sample period. Thirty percent of tested cows (30/100) suffered from subclinical ketosis in all of the 2, 4 and 6 weeks postpartum. The results suggest that, a cut-off point of 0.26 mmol/L for NEFA concentrations can be used during early lactation for diagnosis of subclinical ketosis and making management decisions for prevention and treatment. Glucose cannot be a good criterion for diagnosis of SCK and it does not appear to be useful for monitoring subclinical ketosis.