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Genetic diversity between three populations of Nguni (Zulu) sheep using microsatellite analysis
No full textThe role of mitochondrial DNA to determine the origin of domestic chicken
Full text linkMitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is has recently lost relevance especially when utilised to study species that are characterised with a history of several migrations. Nonetheless, mtDNA can still represents a useful additional tool in the study of molecular genetic diversity. The reason for the adoption of mtDNA is that it is easy to amplify because it appears in multiple copies in the cells and the mitochondrial gene content is strongly conserved across generations. Thousands of published studies have reached conclusions about population history, patterns of gene flow, genetic structure, and species limits, on the basis of mtDNA sequence variation. MtDNA has been used to study phylo-geographic structure of avian species, and to identify the number of maternal lineages and their geographic origins. Most studies of chicken mtDNA rely on sequences of partial control region but recent researches used the complete mtDNA genome to reconstruct the history of animal domestication. The first genetic study on mtDNA suggests that the Indochinese Red Junglefowl subspecies Gallus gallus gallus is the primary ancestor of the domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus). Other studies showed that at least three subspecies of Gallus gallus were enrolled in the origin of domestic chicken breeds, and that there may be at least two domestication centres: one in Southeast Asia and one in the Indian subcontinent. The authors suggested nine highly divergent clades (named clade A-I) related to geographical distribution in a wide range of domestic chickens and Red Junglefowls across Eurasian regions. Understanding when chickens were transported out of domestication centres and the directions in which they were moved provides information about prehistoric human migration, trade routes and cultural diffusion. MtDNA has been used to infer regions of domestication and to identify the number of maternal lineages and their geographic origins in macroevolution studies.peer-reviewe
A phylogenetic overview of five Italian local chicken breeds from a mitochondrial DNA standpoint
No full textInfluence of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the myostatin and myogenic factor 5 muscle growth-related genes on the performance traits of Marchigiana beef cattle
No full textThe Marchigiana is famous for its large body size and favourable dressing percentage. A myostatin (MSTN) gene mutation was identified in Marchigiana, a G to T transversion. The homozygote “GG” yields a “normal” phenotype, the homozygote “TT” yields a double muscled body shape but sometimes causes survival problems, and the heterozygote genotype produces an extremely muscled body without defects. In practice, Marchigiana “TT” homozygotes are culled from reproduction, but the heterozygotes are chosen as sires. The objective of this study was to assess genes involved in Marchigiana muscle development to improve selection procedures. The effects of the MSTN and myogenic factor 5 (MYF5) genes on the growth and muscle traits in the Marchigiana breed were assessed. The effects of MSTN together with the genotype of the causative mutation (g.874G>T) and the effects of the two SNPs in the promoter were studied (g.-371T>A, g.-805G>C). The SNP effects were evaluated in a comparison between the means of the several genotypes or for the average gene substitution and dominance effect. Two hundred and forty-nine bullocks were evaluated using a performance test. At the beginning and end of the trial, the animals were weighed and their bodies were measured every 21 days up to 12 months of age. In addition to these observations, morphological scores and the BLUP indexes were estimated at the end of the performance test. The obtained results suggested that the MSTN g.874G>T and MYF5 SNPs could be considered in the selection program of the Marchigiana breed. A MSTN g.874G>T genotyping service for the breeders could help to avoid the “TT” genotype and to select for the “GT” genotype. The “AA” MYF5 SNP genotype could also be selected for even if good muscle development yields a certain size reduction
RNA-Seq analysis reveals different mechanisms in fatty acids biosynthesis in two chicken strains
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